The shock of a cancer diagnosis turns your world upside down. As you process the news and what it means for your health, worries about how you'll make ends meet linger in the back of your mind. For many people with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers, continuing to work during treatment simply isn't an option.
If you're unable to earn a living due to blood cancer, SSDI lawyer Phillip Hendry and his team can help you understand your options for getting Social Security disability benefits. During Blood Cancer Awareness Month and all year long, we're committed to helping cancer patients access the financial resources they need.
5 Essential Facts About SSDI Eligibility for Blood Cancers
Many people don't realize they may qualify for disability benefits with blood cancer until they speak with an experienced SSDI lawyer. Here are five key facts to understand:
- Type of cancer. Both leukemia and lymphoma are listed in Social Security's Compassionate Allowances program, which fast-tracks benefits for applicants with certain severe conditions. However, eligibility depends on the specific type and severity of your cancer.
- Response to treatment. Social Security considers how well your cancer responds to treatment when evaluating eligibility. If your condition improves with chemotherapy, radiation, or other interventions, you may not meet disability criteria.
- Duration of illness. To qualify for SSDI, your cancer must be expected to keep you out of work for at least 12 months or be terminal. Patients often need their doctors to provide evidence about their prognosis.
- Work history. SSDI is an earned benefit based on your work history. Generally, you must have worked the equivalent of five years full-time out of the last 10 years, but younger cancer patients may qualify with less work history.
- Monthly income. If you are working part-time or self-employed, you may still qualify for benefits if your monthly earnings average less than $1,470 per month (as of 2023). This amount is known as substantial gainful activity.
Compassionate Allowances: Expediting Benefits for Serious Cancers
The Compassionate Allowances program recognizes that certain cancers are so severe that they automatically meet Social Security's definition of disability. If you have one of the following types of leukemia or lymphoma, you may be eligible for expedited processing of your SSDI application:
- Acute leukemia (lymphocytic or myeloid)
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), blast phase
- Juvenile-onset Hodgkin lymphoma
- Mantle cell lymphoma, stage IV
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with distant metastases or recurrent
Even if your specific diagnosis isn't included in the Compassionate Allowances list, you may still qualify for SSDI benefits. An experienced SSDI lawyer can help you understand your options and present the strongest possible case.
Medical Evidence Needed for Blood Cancer Disability Claims
To prove you have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of disability, you'll need to provide detailed medical records, including:
- Biopsy results confirming your cancer diagnosis
- Imaging scans showing the location and extent of your cancer
- Treatment records detailing your chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and other interventions
- Hospitalization records related to your cancer or treatment complications
- Statements from your treating oncologist about your diagnosis, response to treatment, and prognosis
- Records of any other medical conditions that impact your ability to work
A knowledgeable Social Security disability attorney can help you gather the necessary medical evidence and identify any gaps in your records. They can also help you through the application and appeals process.
What to Do if Your Blood Cancer Disability Claim Is Denied
It's not uncommon for SSDI claims to be denied initially, even for applicants with serious cancers. If this happens, don't give up hope. You have the right to appeal the decision and present additional evidence to support your claim.
There are four levels of appeal:
- Request for reconsideration by a different Social Security claims examiner
- Hearing before an administrative law judge
- Review by the Appeals Council
- Federal court review
An experienced SSDI attorney can help you understand why your claim was denied and develop a strategy for appealing the decision. They can also represent you at any hearings and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process.
Why Hire an SSDI Lawyer for Your Blood Cancer Claim
The SSDI application and appeals process can be overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with a serious illness like leukemia or lymphoma. An experienced Social Security disability lawyer can handle the legal details so you can focus on your health and well-being.
When you work with Phillip Hendry Law, you can expect:
- A free consultation to discuss your case and answer your questions
- Help gathering the medical evidence needed to support your claim
- Assistance in completing the SSDI application and any necessary appeals
- Representation at any hearings or court proceedings
- A contingency fee arrangement, meaning you only pay if your claim is successful
If you're facing a blood cancer diagnosis and can't work, don't wait to seek the benefits you need and deserve. The SSDI legal team at Phillip Hendry Law is here to help.