What Types Of Cancer Qualify For Disability In California?

Cancer is always a devastating diagnosis, affecting every aspect of a person’s life, including their ability to work and perform daily activities. For those facing severe forms of cancer, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can provide essential financial support. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has specific criteria that must be met for any disability claim, including cancer.

General SSA Disability Criteria

To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, an individual must meet the SSA’s stringent criteria. The Social Security Administration defines a disability as follows:

A disability is a physical or mental impairment that lasts or is expected to last at least 12 months (or result in death) and prevents the claimant from engaging in substantial gainful activities (SGAs).

Cancer and SSA Disability Benefits

Cancer is evaluated under the SSA’s listing of impairments, specifically under malignant neoplastic diseases. Each type of cancer has specific criteria that must be met for a claimant to be considered disabled. Here is a general overview of what the SSA looks for in determining eligibility:

1. Severity and Advancement of the Disease: The cancer must be advanced or recurrent despite treatment. Advanced stages of cancer often have a significant impact on an individual’s ability to work either due to symptoms or the negative side effects of treatment.
2. Type of Cancer: Certain types of cancer automatically qualify for disability benefits under SSA guidelines if they are advanced or recurrent. These include cancers like small cell carcinoma of the lung, brain cancer, inflammatory breast cancer, and liver cancer, among others.
3. Medical Findings: Medical evidence such as imaging tests, biopsy results, and clinical reports detailing the cancer’s progression and response to treatment are critical. This evidence must demonstrate that the cancer meets or equals the severity of a listed impairment.

Qualifying Cancers

While any type of cancer can potentially qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits if severe enough, certain cancers are explicitly listed in SSA’s Blue Book of impairments. Here are some of the cancers and the criteria that qualify:

Breast Cancer:

1. Inflammatory breast cancer.
2. Breast cancer that has spread to other regions such as the chest wall, skin, or distant organs.
3. Recurrent breast cancer despite treatment.

Lung Cancer:

1. Small cell lung cancer automatically qualifies.
2. Non-small cell lung cancer if it is inoperable, unresectable, or has spread to other parts of the body.

Colorectal Cancer:

1. Colorectal cancer that has metastasized beyond regional lymph nodes.
2. Recurrent after surgical removal.

Leukemia:

1. Acute leukemia requiring extended hospitalization or intensive treatment.
2. Chronic myeloid leukemia that is not responding to initial treatment.

Liver Cancer:

1. Primary liver cancer is typically considered severe enough to qualify.
2. Secondary liver cancer if it is inoperable or unresectable.

Brain Cancer:

1. Malignant brain tumors that are inoperable or have recurred after treatment.
2. Glioblastoma and other aggressive brain cancers.

Pancreatic Cancer:

1. Pancreatic cancer usually qualifies due to its aggressive nature and poor prognosis.
2. Metastasis or recurrence after treatment.

Symptoms and Impact on Functionality

The SSA does not rely solely on the type of cancer but also considers the severity of symptoms and their impact on the individual’s ability to function. Symptoms that often qualify a claimant include:

1. Pain: Chronic and severe pain that impairs concentration, physical activity, and overall daily functioning.
2. Fatigue: Extreme fatigue that makes sustained physical or mental activity difficult.
3. Side Effects of Treatment: Chemotherapy and radiation can cause debilitating side effects such as nausea, weakness, and cognitive impairments.
4. Cognitive and Neurological Issues: Brain cancers and metastasis to the brain can result in significant cognitive and neurological deficits.

Documenting the Claim

A successful disability claim requires claimants to submit extensive documentation, typically including:

1. Medical Records: Detailed records from oncologists and other healthcare providers documenting the diagnosis, stage of the cancer, and treatment
2. Diagnostic Tests: Results from MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, biopsies, and other relevant tests.
3. Treatment History: Documentation of all treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries, and their outcomes.
4. Physician Statements: A statement from the treating physician detailing the severity of the condition, prognosis, and how it limits the claimant’s ability to work.

Compassionate Allowances

The SSA has a list of conditions that qualify for expedited processing under its Compassionate Allowances program. Many aggressive and advanced-stage cancers fall under this program. The intent of the program is to allow quicker determination of the claimant’s disability benefits.

Get Experienced Profession Help with Your Cancer Disability Claim

we have years of experience assisting cancer sufferers prepare, file, and press their Social Security Disability claims. With our team’s guidance and knowledgeable insight, SSDI and SSI claims are submitted without costly errors that might delay the claim’s approval. People who attempt to file their own SSDI or SSI claim often omit necessary documentation without which the government will deny the claim.