Disability for Cancer

Chicago Lawyers Explain Social Security Disability Benefits for Cancer

When you can’t work because of living with cancer, you’re tired. You’re tired of doctors visits, side effects from treatment, and the day-to-day of fighting to get well again. If you need help shouldering the burden of medical bills and the costs of living, it can seem like you have no place to turn. But there is hope.

Our Chicago Lawyers Help You Qualify & Apply for Disability Benefits for Cancer

At Nash Disability Law, our lawyers are focused on getting to know your specific needs. Our team has the experience of over three decades and thousands of cases to help you file and get the benefits you both need and deserve. Our lawyers know the system at both the local and federal levels, and they’ll get the right piece of evidence, at the right time, to the right person, in the right way to successfully appeal your child’s denied claim.

Tips for Meeting Social Security’s Disability Requirements for Cancer

The Social Security Administration recognizes cancer as a disability, listing a variety of types in their “Blue Book” that lists their rules for disability. In general, any cancer that is likely to keep you from working for over a year is eligible for disability benefits. In addition, there are certain severe cancers that can qualify you for immediate approvals for disability benefits.

Unfortunately, for a typical person, knowing what information you need to show the SSA that you need benefits can be difficult. Hospital admissions and discharges, doctors’ notes, and reports on blood work and MRIs, X-rays, and CT scans are necessary to show Social Security that you’re prevented from working. In addition, certain forms of cancer have to be either inoperable or uncontrolled by treatment. Nash Disability Law’s lawyers and staff are here to help you collect and present your medical information to Social Security in the best light.

  • For cancer, the SSA recommends you have all of your medical records, as they are critical to proving to the SSA that you have the conditions you claim with evidence.
    • Biopsies or aspirations generally require both the operative note and pathology report
    • They also may need evidence about recurrence, persistence or progression of your cancer
    • Recorded responses to therapies give the SSA the ability to see cancer’s impact on your life

A partial list of locations and types of cancer considered to be disabling by the Social Security Administration:

  • Soft tissue cancers of the head and neck
  • Skin cancer
  • Soft tissue sarcomas
  • Skeletal system sarcoma
  • Lymphomas
  • Leukemia
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Salivary glands
  • Thyroid gland
  • Breast cancer
  • Maxilla, orbit or temporal fossa
  • Nervous system
  • Lung cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Intestinal cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Gall bladder cancer
  • Uterine cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Malignant melanomas

Because of the complexity of the conditions and the criteria for disability, cancer can be denied on the first attempt to apply. Don’t give up! Nash Disability Law is here to help you appeal your denial and will help you every step of the way including in Federal Court.

Testimonials

Thank you so very much for your help with my disability claim.  Please thank each and everyone who helped in getting this done. Every time I had questions and had to call you for advice, whomever I spoke with at the time was very helpful and polite and most of all caring. Once again, Mr. Nash, thank you so very much.

- Luisa
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