If you have been diagnosed with leukemia and are unable to work, you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Once you submit your application for disability, Social Security will evaluate your condition and medical records in accordance with the listings found in the Blue Book.
Social Security Listing
Social Security evaluates leukemia under listing 13.06. To meet the listing found in the Blue Book, you must have medical records and test results that show that you have been diagnosed with leukemia and meet either A or B below.
- Acute leukemia – considered under a disability for at least 24 months following the date of diagnosis or relapse, or at least twelve months from the date of a bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, whichever is later.
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia, meeting either 1 or 2 below:
- In the accelerated or blast phase – considered under a disability for at least 24 months following the date of diagnosis or relapse, or at least twelve months from the date of a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, whichever is later.
- In the chronic phase, as described in a or b below:
- With a bone marrow or stem cell transplant – considered under a disability for at least twelve months from the date of the transplant.
- Progressive disease following initial anticancer therapy.
I Don’t Meet a Listing!
If you don’t meet the listing, you still may qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. In this case, you will need medical records that show that you will be unable to work for at least twelve months, based on your condition, symptoms, medication side effects, or treatment schedule.
To prove your case, you may need screening reports/other reports showing the discovery of your cancer; biopsy reports indicating the type of cancer you have; surgical notes from any tumor removal surgeries (or reports from a surgeon stating why your cancer cannot be removed); a detailed history of your treatments; and information on the types of medication you take for leukemia, including chemotherapy or radiation.
If you have been diagnosed with leukemia and are unable to work due to your condition, contact a local attorney today if you have any questions.