Qualifying for Disability with Cystic Fibrosis in Wisconsin
The Support You Need in a Tough Time
Living with cystic fibrosis can be a daily challenge.
When you can’t breathe like you should, everything else is affected. And it can absolutely be detrimental enough to force you out of work.
Social Security Disability benefits are meant for people in your situation. When you can’t work, the monthly disability checks can help you stay afloat while you focus on the most important thing in your life: your health.
Unfortunately, these benefits can be difficult to win. Many first-time applicants are turned away.
It’s why you need an experienced disability attorney on your side. At the Becker Law Office, we’ve made it our mission to help our neighbors Madison, Wausau, and all over Wisconsin get the benefits they deserve.
If you’re struggling with the Social Security Disability system, let us help you today.
How to Qualify for Social Security Disability with Cystic Fibrosis
Social Security classifies cystic fibrosis as a respiratory disorder, and they understand how serious CF can be. But you can’t just tell Social Security you have CF and need benefits.
You’ll have to prove it. You must show you suffer from one of the following in order to qualify:
- Chronic Infections: Your CF causes increased bacterial infections at least once every six months that require treatment, either intravenously or by nebulizer.
- Pulmonary Exacerbations: You have proven, recurring episodes of pneumonia, bronchitis, respiratory failure or coughing up blood. These episodes must occur at least six times a year to qualify.
- Poor Breathing Test: These tests, known as spirometry tests, must show that you have an FEV1, or how much air you can exhale in one second, of between 1.45 and 2.05, depending on your height.
And even if your symptoms don’t specifically align, you could still qualify. You’ll just have to prove you meet Social Security’s definition of “disabled”:
- Your CF makes working impossible.
- You’re unable to change to a new line of work.
- You’ll be out of work for at least a year.
We can answer any questions you have, and we’ll even evaluate your case at no charge to you.
If You’ve Been Denied, You Can’t Give Up
Getting a denial can feel cruel.
You’re the one afflicted with the health problem. And now, a cold, unfeeling government agency is saying you don’t deserve any support.
If you’ve been denied, you can’t stop now. Remember: most applicants are denied on their initial application.
Social Security features a multi-step appeals process with chances to win your benefits at each juncture. Your best opportunity comes at an appeals hearing with an administrative law judge—the only chance you’ll have to plead your case in person.
You shouldn’t go through this process alone. A knowledgeable, compassionate disability lawyer can guide you through what can be a tough system.
At the Becker Law Office, we can ease your burden. Let us do the legal legwork.
Get in touch today to get your case started.