A cancer diagnosis changes everything. Beyond the medical battles, many patients find themselves unable to work, and the financial pressure compounds an already overwhelming situation. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) exists precisely for these circumstances. If your cancer or its treatment has prevented you from maintaining employment, you may be entitled to monthly benefits. Here is what you need to know.
What SSDI Requires
To qualify for SSDI, the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires that you have a medically documented condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death. You must also have sufficient work history and have paid into Social Security through payroll taxes. Cancer can absolutely satisfy the medical component, but the specific diagnosis, stage, and its impact on your ability to work all factor into the SSA’s decision.
The Compassionate Allowances Program
The SSA’s Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program is designed to fast-track disability claims for the most serious medical conditions. These are diseases that, by definition, meet Social Security’s standard for disability, and many of which are cancers. The CAL program uses technology to flag these claims early, dramatically reducing the waiting time for a decision. In some cases, approval can come within weeks rather than months.
Cancers that qualify for automatic expedited approval through the CAL program, regardless of stage, include:
- Pancreatic cancer
- Glioblastoma multiforme (brain cancer)
- Inflammatory breast cancer
- Small cell and non-small cell lung cancer
- Liver cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Acute leukemia
- Adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Over 50 types of cancer appear on the Compassionate Allowances list. Other cancers, such as breast, bladder, ovarian, kidney, and skin cancers, also appear on the list but must additionally show evidence of distant metastasis, inoperability, or recurrence after treatment.
What if Your Cancer Is Not on the CAL List?
Even if your specific diagnosis does not appear on the Compassionate Allowances list, you may still qualify for SSDI. The SSA evaluates cancer claims by considering how the condition and its treatment side effects, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, affect your ability to perform work-related activities. If your cancer prevents you from performing any job you could reasonably be expected to do, the SSA may approve your claim under its standard five-step disability evaluation process.
Factors the SSA considers include the origin and extent of the cancer, whether it has spread or recurred, your response to treatment, and your age, education, and prior work experience. Detailed medical records and physician documentation are critical to supporting your case.
Do Not Wait to Apply
SSDI benefits do not begin the moment you apply because there is a five-month waiting period from the established onset date of your disability. Given that standard claims can take six months to a year or more to process (unless expedited through CAL), the sooner you apply, the sooner benefits can begin flowing if you are approved. Delays in filing can cost you months of back pay.
A Knowledgeable Arkansas Social Security Disability Lawyer at Osborne Law Firm Can Answer Your Questions About the SSDI Process and Guide You Along the Way
An Arkansas Social Security Disability lawyer at Osborne Law Firm is here to guide you through every step of the SSDI process — from gathering medical evidence to handling appeals if your claim is denied. To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or call today at 479-521-7727. Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, we gladly serve clients in the surrounding areas.