How to Apply for Disability Benefits with Cancer

Whether you have a form of cancer that automatically meet the criteria or a form that will require more thorough medical records to prove disability, you should also be aware that there are financial eligibility criteria for the SSA's disability programs as well. Read on to learn more.

Certain forms of cancer automatically meet the medical criteria for receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Other types of cancer must be proven to so severely impact your ability to work that you cannot reasonably maintain gainful employment in order to satisfy the SSA's medical eligibility rules. Whether you have a form of cancer that automatically meet the criteria or a form that will require more thorough medical records to prove disability, you should also be aware that there are financial eligibility criteria for the SSA's disability programs as well.

The SSA's Disability Programs

There are two Social Security Disability (SSD) programs for which you may qualify if you have cancer.

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is a program for disabled workers who have paid Social Security taxes over the course of their employment,

AND

• Supplemental Security Income, which is a need-based program for those with very limited income and other financial resources.

To receive benefits under either program, you must meet the medical and technical eligibility standards. Medical eligibility will be covered more thoroughly in the following information.

To learn more about the SSDI and SSI benefits, please click here.

<strong"> Meeting a Listing with the SSA

The SSA maintains a listing for many forms of cancer within its Blue Book, which is a manual of common disabling conditions. If your illness is listed with the SSA, you must strive to meet that listing with the medical records and other documentation that you present in your application for disability benefits.

Most listings for cancer appear in Section 13.00 of the Blue Book, which can be found How to Apply

SSD applications can be completed:

• Online with the SSA website.

OR

• In-person, with the SSA at your local office.

Online applications are often the fastest way to start a claim. If you decide to apply in person, be sure to schedule your appointment in advance.