January is cervical cancer awareness month. If you have cervical cancer and can’t work any longer you can apply for Social Security disability benefits. The money from disability benefits can be used to pay for housing, food, utilities, and other living expenses when you’re sick and can’t work.
You can also use the money from disability benefits to pay for medical expenses that aren’t covered by insurance. As long as you have worked before and have enough work credits and you think that you won’t be able to work for at least a year because of your illness you are eligible to apply for Social Security disability benefits.
What Is Cervical Cancer?
Around 13,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. Cervical cancer is cancer that originates in a woman’s cervix, but it can also spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms of cervical cancer include:
- vaginal bleeding after sex
- vaginal bleeding after menopause
- vaginal bleeding between periods or periods that are heavier or longer than normal
- vaginal discharge that is watery and has a strong odor or that contains blood
- pelvic pain or pain during sex
- difficult or painful bowel movements or bleeding from the rectum when having a bowel movement
- difficult or painful urination or blood in the urine
- dull backache
- swelling of the legs
- pain in the abdomen
- feeling tired
Cervical cancer may not be diagnosed until it quite advanced because many of these symptoms can be symptoms of other medical conditions as well. Women should get regular screenings for cervical cancer so that the cancer may be caught and treated before it gets too advanced.
Disability Benefits For Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is one of the types of cancer that do qualify a woman to receive disability benefits. All of the conditions that qualify for disability benefits are listed in the SSA’s Blue Book along with a unique set of requirements that must be met before that person’s application for benefits can be approved. The Blue Book listing for cervical cancer says that in order to be approved for disability benefits women must show that their cancer meets one of these three conditions:
- Extending to the pelvic wall, lower portion of the vagina, or adjacent or distant organs.
- Persistent or recurrent following initial anticancer therapy.
- With metastases to distant (for example, para-aortic or supraclavicular) lymph nodes.
You must include a letter of diagnosis as well as any and all relevant medical records to show that your cancer meets one of the three requirements. Biopsies, X-rays, PET scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and other imaging should all be included with your application along with test results and doctor’s notes. If you have questions about what medical evidence should be included you should talk with an attorney that specializes in disability cases.
Get Help With Your Cervical Cancer SSD Claim
If you’re not sure how to fill out the application for Social Security disability benefits or you want some expert advice from a disability lawyer about what medical evidence you need to prove that you can’t work.Complete the Free Case Evaluation on this page to get connected with an independent, participating attorney who subscribes to the website.
