Disability

[Colt]

Do people get disability for crohn's? I wonder because I'm a CNA which usually requires an enormous amount of physical work. The problem is my health has been in decline lately and I'm about to go job hunting again. I worry that I won't be able to pass a physical required but this is the only thing my experience and certifications are good for. It worries me that I could end up without a job.

 

[michels1]

There are many factors that are considered. The severity of course and the information obtained from your medical records. I do receive disability but it was not an easy road. You can almost guarantee you will be turned down upon the initial application. The best advice I can give is to have an attorney help. Good Luck.

 

[Guest]

i've been turned down for disability living allowance, but it looks like i've been successful in claiming incapacity benefit. the downside to incap is i have to attend a "back to work" appointment every month for 6 months, just to tell them over & over again that i'm still not fit to work... sigh..

 

[BWS1982]

I almost applied for it, but then went into the hospital....I felt I'd have qualified (of course it depends on the country/state laws etc.....what kind of options are even available). My dr. was hesitant but said we'd look into if necessary, but the ultimate goal was to get me into remission asap. So rather than signing off on it his first goal was avoid it if possible.

I currently have FMLA though...

 

[Colt]

Yeah, but FMLA doesn't pay. You're just unemployed with a vague promise to give you your job back if you ever make a full recovery.

 

[BWS1982]

well its simply a concurrent classification of scheduled hours, ie: say I miss an entire 8 hour day, well, I either have 8 hours paid using vacation time, sick time, personal days etc... or its coded as 8 hours unpaid if I've run out of paid time (you have paid time but you have to use it first before your unpaid, therefore, FMLA is paid but only as long as you have paid time to use, afterwards its unpaid)...but either way it's ALSO simultaneously FMLA time either way. FMLA is a life saver as far as job protection is concerned. As far as income, it's fairly useless (unless you count the fact that it protects your job, thus, your income as well).

 

[Wiles]

I am on disability. I didn't want to for a long time, but last year I decided to do it. I probably could have gone for long term disability, but I really didn't want to do that. So I have to re-apply when the time period is up (already have once).

 

[Kit]

HI
I was on short term disability for about 6 months. I also have a very physical job,(I am a physical therapist assistant) so I finally decided to cut my hours to 6 a day. I have not looked into disability or partial disability. Right now my symptoms have calmed down a lot, but I still get fatigued. I sleep about 10hrs or more a night. The 2 hrs I am not working, I am sleeping and I still haven't added a lot of activities extra to work. Someone mentioned to me about looking into it, but I haven't done anything with it yet. Thanks for asking the question!

 

[blackbat]

Im in the process of my first appeal for disability, it is doable especially if the doctor files it initially ( which i didn't know when i filed mine)
I've had crohns for over a decade and basically haven't been able to work for about 3 years now. Steroid intolerant, the asocal has started liver damage so that is out, Due to the liver damage no NSAIDS for the arthritis (no tylonyl, no naproxyn, nada) and remicade has been a long series of infection issue including several skin staff infection caused abcesses to the point that I now have to scrub down with surgical scrub soap twice a day to keep from getting any more. If the doctor is on your side and depending on how serious you are, you can get life long disability but be prepared for a fight.

 

[Kev]

Well, I was on short term disability. I missed out on long term disability by less than a week... and in part due to my original GI mis-diagnosing me with DAC, and thinking that my last resection cured it... I won't go into that there, but it would have been nice to have retained my salary (60% of it) AND all my health benefits.

But that's not the reason I popped in here. If one applies/recieves disability, it can only come from 1 of 2 sources. Either from some social service agency OR from a private insurer. Regardless of the source, applying, figting to get it, and getting it ARE not the end of the battle. Both sources use investigators AFTER the fact. If you've qualified AND recieved benefits; then expect to live your life in a fishbowl. You will come under scrutiny.. you will be investigated, and you will be followed, observed, photographed. I know, I've done that work, and I have a close friend who does the same work for a social service agency. In my case all my clients were private insurance companies... and they routinely are going to spend $$$$$$ to find out IF you REALLY deserve any benefits you get. IF they observe, record, ANYTHING that could cast doubt on your 'disability', you better be prepared to defend yourself. Again, they will spend $$$$$$ legally to deprive you of benefits; AND if a ruling goes in their favor, they will be looking for payback... AND they have an amazing arsenal of ways/means to get it too!

I'm not suggesting people not apply for benefits. I'm just saying, that if you do get them... don't let down your guard for a moment. Never enjoy a 'good' day in public.. (and this disease does have them).. And don't sit back and relax in the notion that.. "Well, my doctor confirms I have this". The insurance company has enuff doctors who will say anything to trump what your doctors say, and it may be that your doctor is perfectly comfortable filling out an occasional form, but not fond of the idea of testifying in court, or in front of a medical tribunal..
So, apply if you need, hope you get it.. and if you do, keep in mind that a really mean 'big brother' who is willing to do almost anything, is always watching you.