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Molly Burke Law Office, pllc

Disability, Personal Injury, Family Law

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Mar 30, 2020

Disability Benefits and Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, there are over 200 different kinds of cancer, and over 1,700,000 diagnoses each year. Cancers vary from aggressive to non-invasive, but any type and any stage of cancer can be debilitating. Even if the cancer is diagnosed early and easily able to be treated, chemotherapy and radiation can cause side effects that negatively impact your daily life and work. In order to qualify for disability benefits, just as with any other condition, a cancer patient must establish that they’re unable to work for at least twelve (12) consecutive months.

The Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) Blue Book is a guide of qualifying medical conditions, and section 13.00 of the Blue Book is dedicated to cancer diagnoses. Each listing is defined by where the cancer originates and develops, and some specific criteria. For example, breast cancer must have spread to far regions of the breast or to other parts of the body in order to be approved for benefits, but for esophageal cancer you’ll be approved automatically if you can provide documentation of your diagnosis.

The SSA also has a Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program. This program reduces approval wait times, by compiling a list of the most severe disabilities, including some aggressive cancers. If your cancer is metastatic, inoperable, or treatment resistant, you may qualify for benefits through CAL.

If you can’t qualify for benefits through a Blue Book listing, it’s possible you could qualify using a medical-vocational allowance. This requires that a residual functional capacity (RFC) be completed. As discussed in other blogs, the RFC determines what kind of work you’re capable of doing, whether you’re able to be active, whether you can do sedentary work, or whether you’re unable to work at all. A medical-vocational allowance will consider your medical conditions, age, education, work history, skills, and limitations. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and find yourself unable to work, contact Molly Burke Law Office to set up your free, no-obligation consultation. We’ve helped hundreds of Kentuckians to secure the benefits that they deserve, and we’d love to help you too!

 

Categories: Social Security Disability

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Testimonials

Rick R.
Rick R.
22:49 18 Jan 18
Ms Molly Burk is a very good Lawyer and even better human being. She restores faith in the process and works hard to get justice for her clients.I have great confidence in her abilities and her integrity.I thank her from the bottom of my heart for the suburb work she and her staff did on my daughters disability case.
Holly C
Holly C
06:06 06 Jan 20
Molly and Jennifer are absolutely incredible to work with! They stay on top of every single step of the process, and kept me so well informed! They are both wonderful, helpful people, and I am so greatful to have had their help!!
Debbie R.
Debbie R.
20:10 18 Jan 18
Our family attempted to work with other lawyers for our daughter’s disability benefits application and appeals process before finding Ms.Burke. Ms. Burke is, by far, the best lawyer I have ever done business with. She approached our case with genuine caring and thoroughness. We would not have been awarded disability benefits for our daughter without the untiring, unwavering work of Ms Burke. She supported us through her expertise of the law and Social Security requirements. She bolstered us emotionally as needed. She always returned phone calls, emails, and texts in a timely manner. I have already recommended her to other people and will continue to do so. She is the best!
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