Is Cancer Considered a Disability for Social Security Benefits?

A cancer diagnosis can change a lot about your day-to-day life, shifting your focus to your health and treatment. But it can also bring up important financial and legal questions. You might be wondering, is cancer a disability in the eyes of the Social Security Administration? In many situations, the answer is yes. 

In this article, we’ll discuss how a cancer diagnosis can qualify for benefits, how the Social Security Administration evaluates cancers, and how you can build a strong case for the benefits you deserve. 

What is cancer? 

Cancer is a broad group of diseases that can affect almost any part of the body at any stage of life. 

While these conditions can vary widely, they all share a common trait: they develop when normal cells change into cancerous cells that grow and spread uncontrollably. Healthy cells follow the body’s signals to grow, divide, and stop when needed, but cancer cells ignore those signals and continue multiplying without control.

In the U.S. alone, millions of people are living with some form of cancer. Some of the most common types include:

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Blood cancers

Because cancer can affect people in different ways, symptoms and complications can vary widely, and the disease can be unpredictable. Along with the physical challenges, this uncertainty can create additional stress. Understanding your options, including how to access Social Security benefits, can help provide some stability during a difficult time.

Is cancer a disability? 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes all types of cancers as serious medical conditions that can qualify you for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Additionally, cancer is typically covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

If you’ve been diagnosed with any form of cancer, you may qualify for disability benefits. However, the SSA considers specific criteria when evaluating various cancer SSDI claims, which can make approval challenging for some applicants. 

How to qualify for SSDI with cancer

To be eligible for SSDI, your symptoms must make it impossible to continue working gainfully and interfere with your ability to support yourself. 

Your condition must also meet other medical requirements listed in the SSA’s Blue Book under Section 13.00 for adults and Section 113.00 for children.  

Both adult and childhood listings are evaluated in a similar way and apply to most types of cancer, with the exception of certain cancers related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which are reviewed under separate listings. 

When evaluating a claim, the SSA looks at several key factors, including: 

• Where the cancer began
• How far it has spread
• How long it is expected to last
• How it responds to treatment
• Whether there are lasting effects after treatment ends

In general, if your cancer is caught early, responds well to treatment, and is expected to improve, the SSA may not consider it disabling. However, because some cancers are especially severe or fast-moving, the SSA has identified certain types that automatically meet its criteria through the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program. This program allows people with serious conditions, including many advanced cancers, to receive faster decisions and access to benefits.

Even if your condition doesn’t meet a specific listing or qualify for expedited processing under CAL, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ineligible. In these cases, the SSA may evaluate your ability to work based on your overall limitations, age, education, and work history, with a process known as medical vocational allowance (MVA).

What is a medical vocational allowance?

When the SSA uses a medical vocational allowance, also called grid rules, it looks at more than just your diagnosis. Instead, it evaluates how your condition affects your ability to work by considering several practical factors.

One of the most important factors is your age. As you get older, the SSA recognizes that it may be harder to adjust to a new type of job. 

They also look at your residual functional capacity (RFC), which is a measure of what you’re still able to do despite your condition. This includes things like how long you can stand or sit, how much you can lift, and whether you can perform basic work tasks on a regular basis. 

Your work history is another key factor. The SSA reviews the type of work you’ve done in the past and whether you have skills that could transfer to a different job. 

Finally, the SSA considers your education level. In general, the less formal education or specialized training you have, the more difficult it may be to transition into new work.

Taken together, these factors help the SSA decide whether there are any jobs you could realistically perform. If not, you may still qualify for SSDI, even if your cancer doesn’t meet a specific listing.

What evidence can help your claim?

To make a decision, the SSA relies on medical evidence that clearly shows the type of cancer you have, where it began, and how far it’s spread. If your doctors are unable to identify where your cancer began, Social Security will evaluate where the cancer has spread. 

Medical evidence can include:

• Medical history reports
• Clinical findings (such as the results of physical or mental status exams)
• Lab results or test results
• Imaging (such as CT scans, x-rays, and MRIs)
• Emergency room visit summaries
• Diagnosis
• Treatment prescribed based on response and prognosis
• A statement from a medical professional on what work activities they believe you are capable of doing despite your condition
• Any treatment information
• Info about your daily activities and capabilities 

In some cases, additional information about whether your cancer has come back, stayed the same, or has progressed over time. The SSA may also review how well treatment is working and whether there are any ongoing side effects or complications associated with the cancer or your treatment. 

How long does it take to get a disability decision?

When considering how long a disability claim can take, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. 

The time it takes to get a disability decision depends on several factors, like whether the SSA needs more information to process your claim. On average, the wait for an initial SSDI decision is about 6.3 months, or roughly 193 days. 

According to the SSA’s 2024 Annual Report, about 18% of applications were approved at this stage, meaning nearly four out of five claims were denied. 

However, applicants approved through the CAL program often receive decisions much faster. While the SSA doesn’t guarantee a specific timeline, advances in technology and electronic medical records can allow some CAL claims to be approved in a matter of days or weeks.

Don’t get discouraged if you’re denied. You can appeal, but be aware that the appeals process can add another six months or more to your wait.

How do I appeal a decision if I was denied?

If your SSDI application is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. According to the SSA, approximately 80% of SSDI claims are rejected at the initial level, often due to insufficient medical evidence, limited work history, or other technical issues. Because the appeals process can take time, it’s important to act quickly – you only have 60 days to file your appeal. 

While appealing a denial is always worthwhile, it doesn’t guarantee approval, as many applicants are denied even after multiple appeals. However, working with an experienced disability lawyer can help strengthen your case and improve your chances of success.

How Woods & Woods can help

Having a disability shouldn’t mean losing your peace of mind. At Woods & Woods, we help individuals with disabilities connect with legal help. If you’re seeking SSDI benefits, call us today for a free case evaluation.

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