There have been many questions regarding disability benefits and cancer. However, the link between the two is strong. Any form of cancer can be both emotionally and physically disabling. It has been seen that most aggressive kinds of cancers qualify for disability benefits straight forwards. While the Blue Book of SSA clearly mentions forms of cancer which can instantly qualify for a disability benefit under Social Security Administration.
The aggressive forms of cancer which are mentioned as a disability in the SSA Blue Book are:
- Lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Acute Leukemia
- Chronic myelogenous Leukemia
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
- Elevated white cell count
- Macroglobulinemia or heavy chain disease
- Primary breast cancer
- Carcinoma-in-situ
- Primary Central Nervous System (CNS) Cancers
- Primary peritoneal carcinoma
- Prostate cancer melanoma
So, generally, when the question arises, that Is cancer a disability? The answer is primarily yes. If a cancer form is not mentioned in the Blue Book, a person can still qualify for benefits.
Along with the disease, the treatment of cancer can also make a person disabled. The use of chemotherapy, radiation, and strong medicines, make a person weak to the extent that he is unable to continue with his job.
There are other major reasons where a person who has cancer is granted disability benefits.
- When cancer spreads beyond the origin (distant metastases) – This happens when the cancer cells which are already operated spreads in other parts of the body. For example, a person affected with breast cancer may develop bone cancer in a later stage. In this case, a person will be eligible for disability benefits instantly.
- When side-effects of treatment are overwhelming- It has been noticed that people lose their body strength and capacity to work after undergoing severe chemotherapy or radiation treatment. They are both emotionally as well as physically weakened by the treatment, which leaves them in a condition where they are not fit to work. In such a scenario, a person must be unable to work for at least one year.
- When there are long term side-effects of cancer treatment- Radiation and chemotherapy treatment can have long term effects on cancer survivors. These side effects may not surface within the early days of treatment. However, one can get disability benefits in the long term if he suffers such physical condition after receiving cancer treatment.
There are many more details that go into cancer-related disabilities when it comes to SSA. If you want to know more about disability benefits related to cancer, then contact Social Security Disability Lawyer in Baton Rouge. An experienced lawyer can help you get disability benefits when you have been hit with cancer.
