Social Security Disability Benefits
for Cancer
in Louisiana

Qualifications for Cancer Disability Benefits in New Orleans, Metairie and Beyond

Social Security will look at medical evidence like reports, test results, and medical imaging. They will use this information to decide if your cancer stops you from working.

These are some of the kinds of documents you’ll need to provide with your application:

• Reports from surgical findings, such as biopsies
• Pathology reports
• Descriptions of your symptoms
• Medications you receive for cancer (such as chemotherapy)
• Your schedule of radiation therapy
• Documentation of surgeries to treat the cancer
• Description of complications from treatment
• Details of your response to therapy
• Information about recurrence of the disease after treatment
• Evidence of progression of the cancer

Any kind of disability for cancer can qualify for disability benefits. In its official listing of impairments for determining disability benefits, Social Security names several cancers, including bone cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, lung cancer, breast cancer, central nervous system cancers, melanoma, intestinal, pancreatic, prostate and thyroid cancers.

If your type of cancer is not listed, you may still qualify for benefits. This will depend on how the cancer impacts your daily life and ability to work.

You must explain to Social Security what your job involves and why your cancer symptoms prevent you from working.

A Social Security Disability lawyer can spare you the work of organizing all of this information.

If you want to learn more about cancer disability claims, contact Empower Disability for an initial discussion. That’s a free consultation, no fee.

How to Speed up Your Disability Claim for Cancer

Even if you plan to return to work soon, it’s smart to apply for disability benefits. Approval can take months or more, so it’s best to start the process early.

It’s best to get the process started as soon as possible.

If you’re facing a life-threatening form of cancer, you may be able to speed up your claim and start receiving benefits sooner.

Severe cancers can qualify for what Social Security calls a “Compassionate Allowance.” In that case, they will put you through for faster approval.

These are the requirements for a Compassionate Allowance with cancer:

• Cancer has spread to different parts of your body
• Your case is inoperable
• Despite treatment, the cancer has returned

A disability lawyer can help you quickly get financial assistance. They will flag your case for a Compassionate Allowance if necessary. This can speed up the process.

When you’re facing cancer, you’ll have a medical team, maybe also a team of family members and friends for support.

Empower Disability can add even more strength to your team—helping you get economic aid so can concentrate on your own life and well-being.