I got disability for afib but dont feel comfortable discussing it in a public forum because of the stigma associated with it. I would be happy to discuss it in private....maybe exchange emails or something. Ive had alot of problems with afib and the drugs used to treat it.

I was on temporary disability with the State of NJ for four weeks while recovering from my ablation (max 26 weeks). You may want to try getting on temporary disability from your state first. I don't know if you could get on your states disability with just afib, without surgery, but its worth a shot. Here's the info on NJ:
http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/tdi/state/sp_clt_menu.html

NJ Temp Disability and unemployment benefits are more generous than most states, you need to check out your own state.

Your private policy may supplement the state temporary disability plan or may require you get on the state plan first.

Social Security Disability (Federal) can be hard to get (depending on condition), and it takes a long time to qualify. This would probably require a lawyer

My father was truly disabled (aftermath of polio as child) worked physically undemanding menial jobs all his life...never considered applying for disability. Not working would lower stress for everyone.... I recommend Xanax or other drugs of its ilk. The federal disability program , a parasitical adjunct to SS,is fickle to say the least as it is horribly overused since the economy's financial meltdown in 2008-2009 and is appropriately stigmatized for its overuse...which results in truly disabled folks not getting help. Drugs or ablation are the right route ...disability for afib is a form of acceptance , something I think should be a very last resort.

^

Thus proving the point about 'stigma.....'

I see what u mean about the stigma. I am talking about a private policy I have paid into the majority of my adult life. Nothing taxpayer funded.

Applying for disability may be a form of acceptance, but there are some people who have tried everything and are still in afib. These are the one's who may need disability.

Listing 4.05, Recurrent Arrhythmias

The SSA discusses the qualifying criteria for arrhythmias in Listing 4.05. In order to be automatically approved for disability based on your arrhythmia, you must meet ALL of the following criteria:
Your arrhythmia must cause syncope (fainting or loss of consciousness) or almost cause syncope (altered consciousness) on at least three different occasions in 12 consecutive months.
You must have an EKG that shows your arrhythmia is related to the syncope or presyncope.
The episodes must occur despite following your doctors treatment, and
Your arrhythmia cannot be due to a reversible condition.

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/medical-conditions-arrhythmia-3.html

Pete, thanks for finding that. My insurance my have different criteria, but I can imagine it would be more stringent than SSA.

I wish we could edit comments, I meant that "it can't be more stringent than SSA."

Cuzinvinny I private messaged you, but hadn't had a response. If you are like me you probably forget to look at your PMs