Being diagnosed with cancer can be one of the most stressful events of your life. You may reasonably fear for your family’s financial security. And if you do not have private disability insurance, the stress is amplified. At Marc Whitehead & Associates, we have helped disabled individuals from coast to coast fight for and win their rightful Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI). Through the combination of our experience plus our passion for disability law, we have developed a proven approach that gives our clients the best chance of being approved for benefits if they are high-risk or have been diagnosed with cancer.
Social Security Disability Insurance for People with Cancer
As noted above, if you have been diagnosed with cancer and do not already have a private disability insurance policy, you may be eligible to receive SSDI.
In order to be approved, you must satisfy the following criteria:
- You worked for long enough and had enough money taken out of your paychecks for Social Security/FICA.
- If you were self-employed, you paid self-employment taxes.
- You meet social security’s definition of a disability, which usually requires that you are unable to work for at least a year.
- Note that your financial standing does not impact your ability to receive SSDI.
SSDI benefits can help pay for basic daily needs like housing, food, and utilities. In other words, it enables you to focus on healing, not your finances.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-562-9830
Does My Cancer Qualify Me for SSDI?
The Social Security Administration publishes a Blue Book that lists the requirements that must be met to qualify for SSDI. However, not every type of cancer is listed in the Blue Book, and specific qualifications are related to each diagnosis. If you have questions, call Marc Whitehead & Associates today for a free consultation. As a general rule of thumb, most cancers diagnosed as Stage IV or terminal will automatically qualify you for SSDI.
Below is a summary of the different stages of cancer:
- Stage 0 – You have abnormal cells, but they are located in their point of origin.
- Stage 1 – Cancer cells are growing but are still isolated to a specific area of the body. At this stage, your cancer can often be surgically removed.
- Stage 2 – Your cancer cells have begun growing into surrounding tissues, which may include regional lymph nodes.
- Stage 3 – Increasing in severity from Stage 2, you may now have multiple tumors, and your cancer has likely spread to your lymph nodes or other tissues. However, the cancer is still largely confined.
- Stage 4 – Your cancer has now spread to more distant regions of your body.
What is the Compassionate Allowance Program?
Some serious cancer diagnoses may qualify you for the Compassionate Allowance program, which can expedite your claim so you can receive your benefits sooner. To be eligible for the Compassionate Allowance program, your cancer must meet at least one of these elements:
- It is deemed to be inoperable.
- Your cancer is recurrent despite treatment.
- It has metastasized.
If you believe you qualify for Compassionate Allowance, it’s best to submit your claim for SSDI as soon as possible, and our attorneys can help you through the entire process.
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How do I Apply for SSDI?
If you have been diagnosed with cancer and are not covered under a private disability insurance plan, call the Social Security Administration and make an appointment at the nearest office as soon as possible. Some of the items you should bring include the following:
- All test results
- All imaging results
- Your cancer diagnosis from an oncologist
- Any other medical records related to your condition or treatment
Note that you do not need to ask for Compassionate Allowance, as the Social Security Administration will automatically flag your claim for Compassionate Allowance if your diagnosis is sufficiently severe.
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How Our SSDI Lawyers Can Help
One of the most crucial steps to strengthen your SSDI claim is to consult with an experienced disability claim attorney. We closely review SSDI policies to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each case. In addition, we communicate with all the relevant medical professionals and have the knowledge and experience to identify any additional evaluations or tests you can take to help bolster your claim.
Contact Us at Marc Whitehead & Associates Today for a Free Consultation
If you have questions about cancer and SSDI for high-risk individuals, schedule a free consultation. With skilled lawyers at your side throughout the process, we can advocate for the benefits you need. Fees for representation in these cases are set by the SSA. Therefore, it will not cost you more to have a Board Certified Social Security Disability Lawyer representing you.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
