It is the most frequently discussed medical ailment faced by people of all ages. Year round fundraising efforts to find a cure unfold online and live in front of television studio audiences. Politicians, celebrities, and private sector leaders unite around raising money for the affliction.
We are talking about cancer.
The disease is one of the most complex to diagnose and treat because of a wide variety of factors. At its core, cancer represents a group of diseases the consists of the abnormal growth of cells that have the potential to spread to other areas of the body.
If you have received a cancer diagnosis, you should know that a federal government program offers you financial relief to take care of medical bills, as well as lost wages from your full-time job.
Applying for Disability Benefits
Under the watchful eye of the SSA, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides the financial substitute for lost wages, as well as pays for the costly expenses associated with diagnosing and treating cancer patients. The SSA refers to a resource called the Blue Book to confirm an SSDI applicant meets the guidelines established for cancer patients.
Your SSDI application requires considerable focus to ensure you present the most convincing case. In addition to submitting medical documentation that verifies the diagnosis of cancer, you also must send tax documents that demonstrates your earning power before the disease took over your life.
The Social Security Disability Report that accompanies an SSDI application consists of 11 sections providing the SSA with information such as your symptoms, education, and any medications you take to mitigate the symptoms of cancer.
Not All Cancer Applications Receive Approval
Since cancer is a progressive degenerative disease, the stage of your particular cancer matters to the SSA. Stage one cancer means the tumor is small and confined to just one area of the body. For the next two cancer stages, the tumor has grown into multiple tumors that have spread to nearby tissues. Final stage four cancer indicates the disease has moved into other organs.
If your cancer has not reached stage four, the team of healthcare and vocational specialists that review SSDI applications might deny your claim.
If the SSA has denied your SSDI application for cancer, you should file an immediate appeal to seek disability benefits. The SSA often requires appeals to include a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment form. An RFC assessment form goes much deeper into the medical factors that constitute every stage of cancer.
For example, if the disease has spread into other organs, you need to submit the results of a CTC test and a complete blood count test to add credibility to your RFC assessment form. You also need to demonstrate how the advancement of cancer has negatively impact your job performance. Nausea, chronic fatigue, and open lesions are a few of the symptoms of advanced cancer that make it impossible to hold down a full-time job.
Work with a Highly Rated Disability Lawyer
Before you submit a disability benefits application, you should complete a free case evaluation to determine the strength of your application. In addition, consult with an experienced disability attorney to submit a persuasive SSDI application, as well as have a legal advocate in your corner if you need to file an appeal. Most disability lawyers schedule free initial consultations with clients to determine the best course of legal action.
