Across the United States, millions of hard-working Americans are insured under the SSA’s Social Security Disability Insurance program. These individuals pay taxes under the assumption that disability benefits will be there for them should they ever need them. Should such a person become disabled, they would submit a claim for Social Security Disability benefits, assuming that the application would eventually be approved.
While millions of claims are submitted to the Social Security Administration each year, the unfortunate fact is that a mere 30 percent are approved during the initial stage of the application process. The remaining 70 percent of applicants must undergo an extensive disability appeal process if they hope to obtain benefits.
It takes some disability applicants more than two years to appeal the SSA's decision to appeal a denied disability claim. Fortunately, the SSA's Compassionate Allowances program can help to expedite the process for individuals with extremely severe conditions.
In 2008 the Social Security Administration implemented the Compassionate Allowances guidelines to address the fact that not all Social Security Disability applicants are able to undergo the standard application and appeal process required for disability benefits. There are 88 that qualify an application for claim processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, and Thyroid Cancer is one of these conditions.
If you have been diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer, the following information will help you understand the disability application process and how you can increase your chances of obtaining a quick approval of your Social Security Disability benefits under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Back to topThyroid Cancer - Conditions and Symptoms
Thyroid Cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a small gland located at the base of the front of the neck. This gland is responsible for manufacturing hormones that are used by the body.
Each year there are approximately 37,000 new cases of Thyroid Cancer diagnosed in the United States. While this particular form of cancer can develop in almost any age group, it most commonly occurs in individuals who are over the age of thirty. The cancer is often more aggressive in older patients.
There are many different types of Thyroid Cancer including anaplastic carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, and papillary carcinoma. Papillary carcinoma is the least dangerous and most commonly diagnosed type of Thyroid Cancer, while anaplastic carcinoma is both the rarest most dangerous.
While symptoms of Thyroid Cancer vary depending on the type stage of the cancer, common symptoms include chronic cough, swallowing difficulties, an enlarged thyroid gland, hoarseness, swelling of the neck, and a lump or nodule in the thyroid area.
Treatment for Thyroid Cancer also varies depending on the type of Thyroid Cancer being treated and the stage of the cancer. In many cases surgery is an option. For some patients, surgery will need to be provided in combination with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Although treatment is successful for some Thyroid Cancer patients, some cases of Thyroid Cancer do not respond well to treatment and prognosis for these patients is poor.
Back to topFiling for Social Security Disability with Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid Cancer is a very severe and debilitating condition. The procedures involved with treating the cancer can be just as debilitating as the symptoms of the cancer itself. Because of this, most of the patients who develop Thyroid Cancer are unable to maintain employment. Fortunately, the financial issues caused by this situation can be alleviated with Social Security Disability benefits.
When filing your claim for Social Security Disability benefits, make sure that you fill out all claim forms properly and provide the Social Security Administration with as much medical evidence as possible. The more evidence you provide to the Social Security Administration, the more smoothly the application process will go.
Back to topYour Thyroid Cancer Social Security Disability Case
Many of the individuals who apply for Social Security Disability benefits based on a diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer assume that their application will be automatically approved by the Social Security Administration because the disease is listed as one of the 88 conditions that qualify for processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, but this is not necessarily the case. While it does not happen often, the SSA has been known to deny disability claims based on Compassionate Allowances listings.
If you would like to increase your chances of obtaining a quick approval of your disability application, you should consider retaining the services of a qualified Social Security attorney or disability advocate. The professional representative you hire will work with you to prepare your disability claim and will ensure that your application for benefits is presented to the Social Security Administration in the best light possible, increasing your chances of a quick and hassle-free approval of your claim under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Back to topAdditional Resources
- Tips on Qualifying for Disability with a Thyroid Gland Disorder
- Can You Get Disability For Cancer?
- What Benefits Are Cancer Patients Entitled To?
- How to Cope with your Cancer Diagnosis & the Benefits Available
- What Cancers Automatically Qualify For Disability Benefits?
- August is Appendix Cancer Awareness Month
