If I'm cured, what happens to my SSDI?

[straycat]

I'm 62 yrs old and have been on SSDI since 1998 for hep C.  I now have cirrhosis and other medical problems.  I have the chance to take Harvoni and clear the virus.  My question is, if I'm cured of the hep C what will happen to my SSDI?  A friend of mine (in his mid 50's) had kidney failure, was on SSDI, and after he had a transplant he was no longer considered disabled and his benefits stopped.  At this point I'm unemployable due to my age and not having any skill sets left after being out of the workforce for so long (I was a nurse).  I have no family to help me.  I'm afraid to go ahead with treatment because it might cause me serious hardship financially if I were cured.  What a weird problem to have, huh?  Feedback, please!

[lporterrn]

Having hep C is not a condition for disability, whereas cirrhosis often is. Treatment often does not change the fact that you have cirrhosis. It may arrest it, and prevent the horrible things that occur as a result. Rarely it reverses it.

Yes, weird problem to have. I see it like this:
1) Don't treat - life can get truly awful (risk of liver cancer, advanced cirrhosis, death, liver transplant)
2) Treat - life may stay the same, or get truly awful but at a much slower rate
3) Treat - life might get better, in which case, you will have the stamina to face this decision. Nurse to nurse, they are using people our age to do a lot of education, advice lines, etc. Cross that bridge if you come to it.

As for disability, you can expect to keep it for awhile. even if you have improvement, it is a slow process.

[Mike]

Hi  straycat,

It would be unlikely that you would lose your SSDI benefits if you clear the virus.

Simply put, you were awarded SSDI based on the residual effects caused by HCV - not because you have HCV (i.e., cirrhosis and other health concerns).

In addition, other factors are considered when awarding and continuing on SSDI. Factors like residual functional capacities and how these relate to competitive, sustained employment; transferable work skills; educational development and; an ability to return to remunerative employment within your past, relevant work history.

All these factors were considered when SSDI was awarded to you in 1998.

Clearing the virus may improve your quality of life; however it will not mitigate the other factors used in determining unemployability.

Best wishes, Mike

[straycat]

Thanks for the pep talk, Lucinda!  And thank you Mike for explaining/reminding me of the SSDI guidelines.  It's been so long I've forgotten the basics of it all.  My mind is much more at ease now 

[Mike]

Hi Straycat,

You'll be fine and I would start treatment ASAP.

Best wishes, Mike