Early Stages

Understanding the application process and determination of eligibility

Many claimants have no knowledge or understanding as to how the application process for receiving SSDI benefits actually works when they have a diagnosed liver disease or liver disorder.  Certain questions oftentimes arise, such as “who actually determines whether or not my medical condition has disabled me enough so that I am unable to work and therefore be eligible for receiving benefits?”

Ironically, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is not the entity which determines whether or not you are eligible and qualify for SSDI benefits.  Typically, this responsibility falls into the hands of an agency located in your home state in order to determine if you qualify at this stage of the application process.  This start of the application process follows your initial filing for disability classification.

Who determines if you are eligible for SSDI benefits?

The Disability Determination Service of your home state is the agency we are referring to and makes the initial decision regarding your eligibility for SSDI benefits.  This entity initially issues a decision as to whether or not you are truly eligible and qualified for SSDI benefits when you have been diagnosed with a disabling liver disease or disorder.  Regardless of the state that you currently live in, the Federal Government’s laws and regulations governing this are the same.

Once the local agency or authority has made their decision, it will be forwarded to the SSA who ultimately contacts you regarding the decision regarding whether or not your liver disease or disorder has rendered you as being disabled and unable to hold down a job on a full-time basis.  The next question that oftentimes arises is “who actually is rendering the decision at my state agency?” This normally falls on the shoulders of a person who is referred to as a Disability Examiner (or DE as they are oftentimes referred to).

These individuals typically work hand in hand with a Medical Consultant or MC as they are called.  They usually determine whether or not you are eligible for SSDI benefits initially.  However, you shouldn’t stress or worry about being denied because approximately 75% of all applicants are initially denied, whether you have a liver disease or disorder, or some other qualified medical condition that makes it impossible for you to work.  In any event, your best option is to contact a Social Security Disability attorney should this be the case.