What Are the Disability Benefits for Cancer Patients
Cancer is a debilitating disease that can have a profound impact on a person’s ability to work and earn a living. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes the impact that cancer can have on a person’s ability to work and has a disability program that provides benefits to those who are unable to work due to their cancer diagnosis.
How Does the SSA Evaluate Cancer for Disability Benefits?
When you apply for Social Security disability benefits because of cancer, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will consider your medical records and other information to decide whether you meet the SSA’s definition of disabled.
The SSA has a special system for evaluating cancer called the “Blue Book.” The Blue Book is a list of all the medical conditions that the SSA considers disabling, and for each condition, the SSA outlines what medical evidence it will need to approve a disability claim.
To be found disabled under the Blue Book, you must have cancer that meets one of the following criteria:
-It has spread to different parts of your body (metastasized)
-It is inoperable
-It is inoperable, and you have not responded to treatment
-It is operable, but you have not responded to treatment
-It is operable, but the treatment has not relieved your symptoms
If your cancer does not meet any of the above criteria, you can still be found disabled if you can show that it has significantly limited your ability to work.
To prove that your cancer has significantly limited your ability to work, you’ll need to provide the SSA with medical evidence, including:
-Your diagnosis
-The stage of your cancer
-Your treatment plan
-How your cancer has affected your ability to function physically and mentally
-Any other limitations you have because of your cancer or treatment
If you have applied for disability benefits because of cancer and your claim has been denied, you should contact a disability attorney to help you appeal the decision.
What Disability Benefits Can Cancer Patients Receive?
Cancer patients may be entitled to a number of different disability benefits, depending on the severity of their condition. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides two disability programs that cancer patients may qualify for: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
To qualify for SSDI, cancer patients must have worked enough years to earn enough “work credits.” Work credits are based on your age and the amount of time you have worked. For most people, you need 40 work credits, 20 of which were earned in the last ten years before you became disabled.
Cancer patients may also qualify for SSI, which is a needs-based program that provides financial assistance to disabled individuals who have limited income and resources. To qualify for SSI, cancer patients must have a disabling condition expected to last at least a year or result in death, and their household income and resources must fall below certain thresholds.
In addition to SSDI and SSI, cancer patients may also be eligible for other disability benefits, such as:
– Medicaid: This federal-state program provides health coverage for low-income individuals, including those with disabilities.
– Medicare: This federal program provides health coverage for individuals age 65 and older, as well as some younger people with disabilities.
– The Cancer Treatment and Rehabilitation Program: This program, administered by the American Cancer Society, provides financial assistance to cancer patients for treatment-related expenses, such as transportation and lodging.
Final Thoughts
It is important to understand that cancer patients may be eligible for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. While the process of applying for these benefits can be lengthy, it is important to know that these benefits can provide crucial financial assistance to those who need it. If you or someone you know has cancer, be sure to explore all of the options for financial assistance that may be available.
Receive the disability benefits you deserve with the help of Avard Law. We are social security disability lawyers that help Social Security Disability clients with their Social Security Disability cases. We aim to help those suffering from injuries and illnesses receive the benefits they deserve. Get in touch with us today.