Understanding Social Security Disability and Cancer

To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, your cancer diagnosis must meet the SSA’s criteria for disability. The SSA has a Listing of Impairments that includes various types of cancer, and individuals who meet these criteria may be eligible for SSDI or SSI benefits.

Some cancers that are automatically considered disabling include:

• Esophageal cancer
• Small-cell lung cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Breast cancer (if it has spread beyond the breast)
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer

If your cancer is listed in the SSA’s Listing of Impairments, and you can provide medical evidence that your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working, you may qualify for benefits without needing to go through the full disability determination process.

Qualifying for SSDI or SSI with Cancer in Arkansas

To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked in jobs where you paid Social Security taxes. Your work history will be reviewed to determine if you have earned enough work credits to qualify for SSDI. The number of credits required depends on your age at the time of disability.

If you do not have a sufficient work history to qualify for SSDI, you may be eligible for SSI if your income and assets are below a certain threshold. SSI is need-based and does not require a work history.

For both SSDI and SSI, you must demonstrate that your cancer:

• Prevents you from working: You must show that your cancer has caused limitations that prevent you from doing your previous job or any other type of work.
• Is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death: To be eligible, your cancer must be severe enough that it will last for a significant period of time, or it must be terminal.

How the SSA Evaluates Cancer for Disability Benefits in Arkansas

The SSA evaluates cancer claims by using a medical-vocational review process. If your cancer is in the Listing of Impairments, you may be automatically approved. If your cancer is not listed, the SSA will evaluate whether your cancer and related treatments leave you with functional limitations that prevent you from performing work-related tasks.

Here are some factors the SSA will consider:

• Stage of Cancer: If your cancer is in an advanced stage, it may qualify you for expedited processing under Compassionate Allowances.
• Treatment Side Effects: Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries can cause side effects such as fatigue, pain, and difficulty concentrating, which may also affect your ability to work.
• Metastasis: If your cancer has spread to other parts of your body, this will be considered in the evaluation process.
• Prognosis: The SSA will look at your expected treatment plan and prognosis to determine whether your cancer will prevent you from working for at least 12 months

The Application Process for Social Security Disability in Arkansas

If you believe you qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits due to cancer, you can apply through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying for benefits in Arkansas:

• Gather Medical Evidence: The most important part of your claim will be providing medical documentation. This includes:
• Diagnosis: Your doctor’s notes confirming your cancer diagnosis.
• Treatment History: Information about your treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgeries, or radiation.
• Limitations: Documentation from your doctors detailing how your cancer and treatment affect your ability to work and perform daily activities.
• Submit Your Application: You can apply online via the SSA’s website or schedule an appointment at your local SSA office in Arkansas. Make sure to provide as much detail as possible about your condition.
• Wait for a Decision: After you submit your application, the SSA will review your case. This process can take 3 to 5 months on average. If your claim is denied, you can appeal the decision.

Compassionate Allowances and Cancer

The SSA’s Compassionate Allowances program expedites the processing of claims for individuals with severe and terminal conditions. Many types of cancer are included in this program, which means that if your cancer is on the list, your claim may be processed much faster, sometimes within a few weeks.

The list of cancers that qualify for Compassionate Allowances includes conditions like:

• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer (metastatic)
• Liver cancer
• Leukemia
• Pancreatic cancer

If your cancer qualifies for Compassionate Allowances, make sure to indicate this in your application to speed up the process.

What to Do if Your Cancer SSDI Claim Is Denied

If your SSDI claim for cancer is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. The appeals process consists of several steps:

• Request Reconsideration: The first step is to request that the SSA re-evaluate your claim. You can submit additional medical evidence to support your case.
• Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an ALJ. This allows you to present your case in person and provide more evidence.
• Appeals Council: If the ALJ denies your claim, you can request a review by the SSA’s Appeals Council.
• Federal Court: If all else fails, you can take your case to federal court.