SSDI and Cancer: What You Should Know
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, dealing with the physical and emotional challenges is already overwhelming. On top of that, continuing to work or returning to work may be impossible. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can provide crucial financial support if cancer impacts your job. But how does SSDI for cancer patients work?
Applying for SSDI benefits with a cancer diagnosis can be a complex process. This comprehensive guide will help you understand how SSDI works for cancer patients and how an experienced SSDI lawyer, including our Memphis attorneys, can assist you in getting the benefits you need.
Qualifying for SSDI with Cancer
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes cancer as a potentially disabling condition that may qualify for SSDI benefits. However, eligibility depends on a few different factors:
General Qualifications
Just like with any disability, you need to qualify for SSDI on a basic level. This means you’ve paid into the system through taxes, have enough work credits, and are under retirement age.
We’ve written a free report that will guide you through the application process so you know what to expect going in.
Severity of Your Condition
Your cancer must be severe enough that it prevents you from working. The same rules apply for other disabilities as well: it needs to be expected to last at least 12 months – so, a long-term illness – or result in death.
Remission is wonderful news otherwise, but can impact your ability to get benefits, so you’ll want to move quickly to get the support you need.
Medical Evidence
In your application, you’ll have to provide thorough medical evidence to prove the severity of your cancer, including:
- pathology reports
- imaging results
- treatment records
- doctor’s notes
- and any other helpful documentation.
It can take real effort to gather everything and present it in the best way, but it’s worth it.
The SSA’s Blue Book Listings for Cancer
The SSA’s Blue Book guides how the agency determines eligibility for different ailments. It contains specific listings for various types of cancer along with the criteria for each one.
But every situation is different and personal. Beyond these standards, you have the opportunity in your application to prove exactly how your disability impacts your work. You can use doctor testimony, work records, and more to help them understand your specific situation.
Compassionate Allowances for Advanced Cancers
The SSA offers a program called Compassionate Allowances, which speeds up the SSDI approval process for applicants with certain severe conditions, including some advanced cancers.
This program ensures that people with terminal or very serious conditions receive benefits as quickly as possible. Cancers like esophageal cancer, glioblastoma, and certain stage IV cancers are often included in this fast-track process.
Some Cancers Qualify for SSDI Automatically
In addition, some cancers listed in the SSA’s Blue Book automatically qualify for SSDI. Cancers like:
- acute leukemia
- pancreatic cancer
- small-cell lung cancer, and
- certain types of brain cancer
…may automatically qualify you for benefits if you meet the other general eligibility criteria.
Challenges in Applying for SSDI with Cancer
Even with a cancer diagnosis, proving disability to the SSA can be challenging. Here are some common obstacles:
1. Not Enough Medical Evidence
It’s so important you include comprehensive medical documentation in your application. If your records don’t clearly show the severity and spread of your cancer, your claim could be denied.
2. Variability in Symptoms
Cancer and its treatments can affect everyone differently. And each person will work out a specific treatment plan with their doctor. For some people, the treatment might be far more mild than for others, and vice versa. So the SSA needs clear documentation of how your condition specifically impacts your ability to work.
3. Lengthy Application Process
Even with the Compassionate Allowances program, navigating the SSDI application process can be time-consuming and stressful when you’re already dealing with cancer treatment.
For all the reasons above, we always recommend that if you need SSDI for cancer, you work with a lawyer who will take your case seriously and move very quickly on your behalf. You don’t want any unnecessary delays.
How Our SSDI Lawyers Can Help
Applying for SSDI benefits with a cancer diagnosis can be complex, but you don’t have to face it alone.
Our experienced SSDI lawyers help the people of Memphis get the benefits they need in some of the most stressful times of their lives.
We work closely with you and your healthcare providers to gather all necessary medical records, test results, and doctors’ statements to build a strong case.
If your cancer type is listed in the SSA’s Blue Book, we make sure your medical documentation aligns with the criteria to improve your chances of automatic qualification. And if your condition qualifies for a Compassionate Allowance, we will work to fast-track your application to secure benefits as quickly as possible.
If your initial SSDI application is denied, we are here to guide you through the appeals process, represent you at hearings, and fight for the benefits you deserve.
And if you’ve already applied and been denied, just know you aren’t alone. The SSA denies the majority of claims on the first try. You have 60 days to appeal, and you should absolutely contact a lawyer as soon as possible to make sure you get the benefits as quickly as possible.
We can help you every step of the way, and we don’t get paid anything unless and until we win your case. Even then, our fee is limited by law and only a fraction of your past-due benefits – you keep every single dollar moving forward.
Contact a Memphis Attorney Experienced in SSDI for Cancer Patients
Our team understands the urgency and challenges of getting SSDI benefits when facing a serious diagnosis, and we treat our clients with our award-winning compassion and respect.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and need help applying for SSDI benefits, contact us today for a free consultation. Let us handle the legal process, so you can focus on what matters most: your health and recovery.