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Organ Transplant and Social Security Benefits

Article Written by: Cendy Moliere, Outreach Specialist, Disability Benefits Center

How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits After an Organ Transplant

Organ transplants are very common, but there are still thousands of people that spend more than a year waiting for a donated organ that is the right match for them. During that time, and after a transplant surgery, it can be impossible for someone to work. People who need transplants and people who have had them can file a claim for Social Security disability benefits to help them cover their living and medical expenses while they wait for a donor organ or recover from a transplant surgery.

Social Security Benefits After an Organ Transplant

Anyone that has gone through an organ transplant surgery will automatically qualify for Social Security disability benefits for 12 months from the date of surgery. All you need to do is file a claim and submit proof that you had the surgery. This is the case for all organ transplants including:

  • Bone marrow transplant
  • Heart transplant
  • Kidney transplant
  • Liver transplant
  • Stem cell transplant

After 12 months you can apply to have your benefits extended. The Social Security Administration will look at your medical records and the recovery progress that you’ve made and decide whether or not you need another year of benefits. You can reapply each year if you need benefits past the two-year mark.

Social Security Disability Benefits While Waiting for A Transplant

The time frame for how long someone could wait for an organ varies depending on each individuals situation. It is not uncommon to wait months or years. Often those waiting are unable to work because of their medical condition. People who are waiting for a transplant can apply for Social Security disability benefits and usually all they need to do is submit proof that they are on the transplant list to be approved for those benefits. A few of the conditions that will qualify someone to receive benefits while they are on the transplant list are:

  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • COPD
  • Heart failure
  • Kidney disease
  • Leukemia
  • Liver disease
  • Lung cancer
  • Lymphoma

If you’re not sure if you qualify you can talk to your doctor to see what medical documentation you should submit with your claim.

Filing A Claim for Social Security Disability Benefits

If you’re not able to get out or you’re just more comfortable filing online, you can fill out and submit a claim for Social Security disability benefits online through the Social Security Administration’s website. But, if you need help filling out the application or if you have questions that you need answered before you can fill out the claim forms you can make an appointment at your local Social Security Administration office. Most cities and towns have a branch office of the SSA where you can get help if you need it. Bring your questions and all of your medical documentation with you to the appointment. One of the staff members at the office will sit down with you and answer your questions and help you fill out and submit your claim.

Resources:

COVID-19 Dialysis & Transplant Patient Guide

We wanted to share a fantastic resource from the Transplant Research and Education Center regarding COVID-19 for transplant patients. Here is the link to the guide: https://exploretransplant.org/covid-19/ 

This guide was put together with the help of kidney and transplant educators and clinicians at UCLA, the Terasaki Institute of Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), and Health Literacy Media. Patients also submitted their questions, shared their experiences seeking care at this time, and  provided input throughout the design process for this resource. Thank you to all who contributed!

The guide includes relevant information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as from kidney and transplant organizations including the American Society of Transplantation (AST), the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

Major topics covered include how to:

  • Prevent getting and spreading COVID-19.
  • Maintain your health and follow your kidney, dialysis, and transplant regimen.
  • Monitor yourself for COVID-19 symptoms and get prepared if you need to act.
  • Seek medical care if your health worsens.
  • Stay calm and supported.

The guide and our website are updated weekly as new information becomes available. During a challenging and unprecedented time, we hope this patient-centered guide will help dialysis and transplant patients across the country.

We have also launched an educational campaign across our social media channels to help spread the word about our guide, and to provide digestible chunks of health information and tips based on the education. We would be delighted if you would join us in sharing about this resource on social media by re-sharing our announcement and any educational content that appeals to you or your audience. Stay tuned for engaging content over the coming weeks!

Social Media Accounts for Explore Transplant:

Instagram: @exploretransplant
Facebook: Explore Transplant
Twitter: @exploretxplant
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/19130338

Black History Month – Organ Donation Facts

Let’s celebrate and honor Black History Month

When we think of Black History Month, organ donation is not the first thing that comes to mind, but it is important to bring to light facts affecting this community. According to the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, among all ethnic groups, African Americans are least likely to receive a living kidney donation. This statistic hits hard when over 33% of the individuals on the United States transplant waiting list are African American. This gives an opportunity to bring together the African American community through an organization called AMAT (Association for Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation).

AMAT is the industry leader in educating communities of color on organ donation as well as bringing together the Donate Life community to inspire change. AMAT and Donate Life California hope to lessen the impact of these facts by sharing stories of African Americans who have chosen to be living kidney donors to help their own family or community. Here is a link to some of these incredible stories from AMAT: http://amat1.org/stories-of-hope/

 

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