Social Security Disability for Pancreatic Cancer

Battling pancreatic cancer demands all of your energy, and dealing with certain symptoms and treatments can make it impossible for you to work. As you prioritize your health, worries about affording your home, food, and basic needs can add to your stress.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits could alleviate some of this financial pressure. However, getting approved requires medical evidence and other documentation. When you need Social Security Disability for pancreatic cancer, Pilzer Klein is here to help.

If you live in upstate South Carolina or western North Carolina, our Social Security Disability for cancer lawyers in the Carolinas can guide you through the application process. Contact us for a free case evaluation today.

How Do You Qualify for SSDI?

To be eligible for SSDI, you need to meet specific requirements set by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Here’s what it takes to qualify:

• A qualifying disability: This means having a medical condition that fits the SSA’s criteria for a disability. Essentially, your condition should be severe enough to stop you from working in any substantial role. It must also be expected to last for at least a year or lead to death.
• Sufficient work credits: Since payroll taxes fund SSDI, you must have worked and paid into the Social Security system for a specific period of time in order to have accumulated the required work credits.

Note that SSDI is different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is aimed at helping people with very low incomes and few resources. SSDI eligibility is primarily based on your work history and the contributions you’ve made over the years through your earnings.

One of our Social Security Disability qualification lawyers in the Carolinas can let you know which program is right for you.

Can You Get Social Security Disability for Pancreatic Cancer?

The SSA views cancer as a condition that could make someone eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The agency acknowledges the wide range of severity and effects cancer can have, which vary by the cancer type, its stage, treatments undergone, and how these factors limit a person’s abilities.

When assessing eligibility for Social Security Disability for pancreatic cancer, the SSA refers to its “Listing of Impairments,” also known as the “Blue Book.” This online resource outlines specifically which type of pancreatic cancer qualifies. However, even if your exact condition is not listed, you could still qualify by meeting other criteria.

Medical Factors the SSA Considers in a Cancer Disability Claim

When the SSA evaluates cancer-related claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, it considers the following medical factors:

• Cancer type and diagnostic evidence: The SSA requests specific information about your diagnosis, along with a wide range of medical records. This includes pathology reports, results from imaging tests, biopsy outcomes, and records of any treatments you’ve received.
• Impact of treatments and patient response: The SSA assesses how different treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, have impacted your functional capacity and overall health.
• Effects on physical and mental function: The agency investigates the extent to which cancer and its treatments have affected your physical and mental abilities. This evaluation covers issues related to mobility, endurance, managing pain, cognitive function, and emotional stability.
• Illness duration: For a cancer patient to be eligible for disability benefits, the SSA requires that either the treatment or the cancer itself be expected to last at least 12 months or lead to death.

It’s important to understand that even if your condition does not meet the exact criteria listed in the Blue Book, you might still qualify for SSDI benefits through a medical-vocational allowance. Our Social Security Disability lawyers in the Carolinas are here to help you gather the documentation you need.

Potential for Fast-Tracking Your Case

Under certain circumstances, the Social Security Administration provides a Compassionate Allowance process designed to fast-track applications for certain aggressive or advanced cancers.

Should your condition be advanced, inoperable, or persistent despite treatment, you could be eligible for this expedited program. Qualifying for a compassionate allowance means your application is prioritized.

While Pilzer Klein has no control over the SSA’s internal timeline, working with an experienced Social Security disability lawyer from our firm will ensure that your application is completed correctly and in a timely manner. Don’t risk making costly mistakes during the application process.

Contact Us for Help with Your Disability Case

Navigating the SSA’s system while fighting pancreatic cancer can be overwhelming, which is why it’s crucial to have legal support. At Pilzer Klein, we are dedicated to helping you obtain the financial relief you need while you focus on your health and well-being. 

Our Social Security disability lawyers can guide you through the claims process and maximize your chances of obtaining benefits. Whether you are applying for Social Security Disability for pancreatic cancer for the first time or appealing a previous denial, we’re here to help.

We handle cases on contingency, which means we collect our fee only after you receive your benefits. Contact our office today for a free consultation.