If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer 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
To meet the listing found in the Blue Book, you must have medical records and test results that show at least one of the following:
- An advanced breast cancer that has extended to the chest, skin, or internal mammary nodes;
- A carcinoma that has metastasized to the supraclavicular or infraclavicular nodes, to ten or more axillary nodes, or with distant metastases;
- Recurrent carcinoma, except a local recurrence that remits with anticancer therapy;
- Oat cell carcinoma.
You can also meet the listing if you have secondary lymphedema caused by anticancer therapy and treated by surgery to salvage or restore the functioning of one of your upper extremities. In that particular situation, you would be considered disabled for at least twelve months after the surgery date.
Compassionate Allowance
Social Security may also be able to expedite your application process if your breast cancer diagnosis is severe enough. You may be able to meet this “Compassionate Allowance” if you meet one of the following three conditions:
- The breast cancer has metastasized;
- The breast cancer has returned, despite undergoing chemotherapy or other cancer treatments; or
- The breast cancer is inoperable.
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.
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are unable to work due to your condition, contact a local attorney today if you have any questions.