Yes, lung cancer is considered a disability by the SSA. This is because a person suffering from lung cancer cannot work due to the symptoms of lung cancer.
Treatment and recovery could take months and months, even years and it may be impossible to treat the lung cancer successfully because of its severity.
If this has happened to you may be eligible for disability benefits which will help you cope financially while you are unable to work due to the severity of the lung cancer. You need to provide adequate evidence that proves you are unable to work for at least 12 months due to the presence of lung cancer.
Back to topIs Lung Cancer a Disability?
The SSA may consider lung cancer to be a disability. To be eligible for a disability benefit for lung cancer you are required to locate lung cancer in the SSA’s Blue Book listing and provide the right medical evidence which proves that your symptoms will prevent you from working for at least 12 months. Lung cancer can be found in 13.00 Cancer.
Victims seeking disability benefits for non-small cell lung cancer must be able to prove their cancer is inoperable, has metastasized into the lymph nodes or cancerous tissue is still present after surgery.
All applications for lung disability that reveal a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer will be approved for disability benefits automatically.
Cancer found in the upper areas of the lungs that have been subject to surgery or radiation also qualifies for lung cancer disability benefits. You will need to provide proof of treatments and the results when you submit your disability benefits application to the SSA.
Back to topTypes of Lung Cancer That Are a Disability
There are two main types of lung cancer which are non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.
- Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 85% of all cases. There are also different subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer which are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell undifferentiated carcinoma.
- Small cell lung cancer usually originates from the middle of the lungs, and often spreads much more quickly than non-small cell lung cancer.
Severe cases of lung cancer that are inoperable, recurrent, unresectable, or have metastases to or beyond the hilar nodes are the cases that automatically qualify a victim for disability benefits.
When the claim is processed it is done following the SSA's compassionate allowances guidelines which fast tracks claims for disability benefits for many types of cancers including lung cancer.
Back to topGet Help With Your Disability Claim
To help ensure your disability claim for lung cancer is successful you should request assistance from a disability attorney who will make sure your evidence is sufficient for your claim to be approved. You will be offered a free case evaluation to assess your eligibility for disability benefits.
Back to topAdditional Resources
- How Disabling is Lung Cancer?
- Tips on Applying for Social Security With Lung Cancer
- What Benefits Are Cancer Patients Entitled To?
- Disability for Desmoplastic Mesothelioma
