Social Security Disability Insurance is evolving. It now covers cancer and blood disorders which means that if these conditions take you out of the workforce, you can receive compensation until the condition has passed.
Hematological Disorders
Social Security Disability Insurance now includes hematological disorders as a disabling condition. They will evaluate non-malignant hematological disorders including thrombosis, hematosis, bone marrow failure, and hemolytic anemias. They also evaluate leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma for their impact on a patient’s life and ability to work.
In order to qualify for SSDI, patients need to provide a laboratory report identifying the condition and signed by your physician. While patients can submit their application without the laboratory report, it is strongly advised to include it. This will reduce the possibility that the application will be rejected.
Once received, the Social Security Administration will make an assessment regarding the impact of the condition on an individual’s ability to work. This assessment will include a careful review of the limitations the condition imposes on an individual based on their current, or most recent employment.
HIV/AIDS
Patients need to provide proof that they are HIV+ and have experienced recurrent bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoan, or skin/mucous infections as a result. They may also show that they are experiencing cancer, endocarditis, sinusitis, meningitis, encephalopathy, or sepsis.
Unlike other conditions, those with HIV do not need to show that the condition has impaired them for a period of 12 months, or that they expect the impairment to persist for a further 12 months. There merely need to show that these conditions are a disabling factor affecting a patients daily life and ability to work.
Cancer & Neoplasms
Cancer is evaluated based on the following:
- The origin of the cancer.
- The extent of its involvement in a patient’s body,
- The duration, frequency, and physical response to treatment.
- Effects of therapeutic procedures.
Patients filing for Social Security Disability in Chicago should provide evidence along with their application. This evidence should include identification of the site of the cancer, a biopsy, operative note, and pathology report. If the cancer has metastasized, that information should be included in the application.
Individuals should also include information about their treatment regimen and its effect on the cancer. Patients should know that this can take time because SSDI will want to determine whether the treatment is effective, or whether it has failed. Generally speaking, SSDI will consider a cancer diagnosis disabling for a period of up to 3 years after complete remission.