Social Security Disability for Cancer in Detroit
If cancer is preventing you from working, you have enough to worry about. You shouldn’t have to wonder how you’ll put food on the table, too.
Social Security disability income could provide financial relief. But you have to clear several hurdles to win benefits.
What would you like to do?
Applying for Disability Benefits with Cancer
Cancer can take many forms with many levels of severity.
To get disability benefits for cancer, you’ll need to prove through medical evidence that your illness will keep you from working for at least one full year or will lead to death.
Your medical evidence must cover these points:
- The parts of your body directly affected by the cancer.
- The type of cancer.
- How much the cancer has spread in your body.
- Records showing the kinds of treatment you’ve received.
- Records showing how the cancer has responded, or not responded, to treatment.
You’ll also need to provide financial records and employment records with your initial claim.
In addition to providing these documents, you’ll need to explain, in as much detail as possible, how cancer has impacted your ability to work and earn a living.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will review your medical evidence to determine whether the cancer is inoperable or cannot be controlled through treatment.
When You Can Get a “Compassionate Allowance”
When you have a serious diagnosis like cancer, it’s hard to hear how long it could take to win approval for disability income. The initial determination can take five months. If you’re denied, it can take more than a year to appeal.
For people with obviously severe diseases, like cancer, however, Social Security has a way to speed up the process.
With many forms of cancer, you can qualify for a “Compassionate Allowance.” For these cases, Social Security reduces the amount of medical documentation you must gather and submit.
Some of the types of cancer that qualify for expedited processing include small cell cancer of the lungs; metastatic brain or spinal cord carcinoma; or cancers of the gall bladder, pancreas, liver, or bile ducts.
What to Do If Your Claim Was Denied
The reality is that most initial Social Security disability claims are denied. But that’s not the last word. You can appeal—and win.
In many cases, Social Security officials deny claims because they simply don’t have enough information to make a determination. They may have denied you simply because they didn’t have all of the required documents and records.
Get Help with Your Disability Claim for Cancer
Contacting an experienced Social Security disability attorney can make a major difference with your claim and benefits.
Social Security has a separate legal system for disability benefits with thousands of rules and its own courts and judges. An attorney who knows that system can navigate it for you.
At Levine Benjamin, we’ve helped more than 80,000 people with all kinds of physical and mental health disabilities win benefits.
If you or someone you love is unable to work because of cancer, we’ll evaluate your case for free.
From applying to appealing, we help you every step of the way.