Diagnosed with Cancer? Social Security and Triage Cancer Can Help
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
When people hear the dreaded words, “You have cancer,” many thoughts often overwhelm them. They think about their health, family, and mortality. They think about treatment options, oncologists, and cancer centers. What they typically don’t think about are the legal issues resulting from their diagnosis. However, questions around understanding their health insurance options, employment rights, and taking time off from work often come up.
The good news is that there are organizations and programs that can help. If you can’t work due to a cancer diagnosis, you may be eligible for financial support from two Social Security programs. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provide financial support to people with disabilities unable to work. These benefits can help you focus your time and energy on what’s important to you.
These disabilities include certain types of cancer. Some cancers qualify for expedited processing by Social Security under its Compassionate Allowances program. These are cases where individuals have medical conditions so severe that they obviously meet Social Security’s disability standards. This allows Social Security to process the cases quickly with minimal medical information.
Not sure if you qualify?
The first step is to apply for SSDI or SSI benefits. Then, you can check your application status with a personal my Social Security account. You can create your own personal my Social Security account today.
Still have questions?
Triage Cancer provides straightforward and accurate information, including resources to help you understand health and disability insurance options, Medicaid and Medicare, manage your finances, estate planning, and more. Though we tailor our materials to people diagnosed with cancer, our free resources are available to everyone.
We encourage you to sign up today for our free events that provide key information to help you address practical issues and minimize the financial burden of cancer. You can also check out our Educational Guides and Resources page – along with CancerFinances.org – for more information about your personal situation.
For more information or to register for any of our free events, visit TriageCancer.org. Please share this information with your friends and family – and post it on social media.
Social Security’s posting of this blog does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any non-Social Security organization, author, or webpages.
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Tags: Disability, my Social Security, my Social Security account, social security disability benefits, SSI, supplemental security income
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Patrick S.
Hello, I recently had colon cancer went through the surgery had 14” of colon removed the lowest most important part now have bowel issues short bowel syndrome when you gotta go you gotta go ASAP happens suddenly and nothing I can do about it other than hope bathrooms are near and unoccupied, went through chemo treatments and now have serious nerve damage in hands and especially my feet it’s also causing other issues with my feet. I lost 35 pounds and having a hard time gaining my weight back . And now for the past 9 months have arthritis pretty severe in my hands , moved into my knees and ankles . Please advise . Thank You , Pat
Vonda
Hi Patrick, thanks for reaching out. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have worked long enough and recently enough in jobs covered by Social Security (usually within the last 10 years). The (SSI) program is a needs based program that gives cash assistance to disabled individuals with limited income and resources. We pay disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. If you think you may be eligible to receive disability benefits and would like to apply, you can use our online disability application.
If you are unable or would rather not apply online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this information helps.
Kara
This is very beneficial article for those who are living with Triage cancer and have lost the job – Kara
J a.
I have been on disability since like 05, I for one just now receive right under $900 a month…
I have liver cancer, Hemochromatosis, untreated Hep C (chronic) and had Acute Hep A… I don’t feel good a lot and I am homeless… You can’t get a deposit, first and last or 3x the amount of rent,
Can’t save money because it cost to live…
ALSO I AM PAYING THE SAME “OVERPAYMENT”, 4th time.
It gets down to like 1200 the it starts all over again at like 5k…. There’s no way I owe that much…. And it’s being reported negatively so it’s dragging my credit down so that affects housing also… I am so worn out, I hurt and I have to hustle daily to live please give me a direction or something
Vonda
For your security, Jana, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Alice B.
I was diagnosed with cancer in March 2017. Was turning 62 in May. Went to apply for early retirement. The SSA representative told me that my record had too many gaps and that I couldn’t get more benefits. I was so sick, underwent several procedures and was exhausted so I never pursued further. I moved with my parents and they died both last year. Now I have to share expenses with my 70yrs old sister and am really struggling financially due to the parents social security no longer helping. I am also on Medicaid. What can I do now to get some financial help? Please kindly advise
Vonda
Hi Alice, thanks for using our blog. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. SSI is a needs-based program that provides cash assistance to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. Also, SSI benefits are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities, who meet the financial limits. Check out our Understanding SSI web page for details.
If you have additional questions, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Freida D.
I had kidney cancer my left kidney was removed , I could barely move for months ,I lost my job still can’t work. I just spoke to social security on Monday I was told I couldn’t get ssi when I found out I had cancer I had just turned 66 social security disability insurance do I qualify? I haven’t had a paycheck since 2019.
Vonda
Hi Freida, thanks for using our blog. To get SSI, you must be disabled, blind, or at least 65 years old and have “limited” income and resources. Check out our Understanding SSI web page for details.
If you have additional questions, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
MJ
Do effects from cancer treatments also qualify for disability payments ? I have nerve damage in the feet from chemo treatments which limit the time I can stand without pain. I would like to seek part time work. But will obviously be limited due to this condition.
Vonda
Hi MJ, thanks for using our blog. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have worked long enough and recently enough in jobs covered by Social Security (usually within the last 10 years). The (SSI) program is a needs based program that gives cash assistance to disabled individuals with limited income and resources. We pay disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. If you think you may be eligible to receive disability benefits and would like to apply, you can use our online disability application.
If you are unable or would rather not apply online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. We hope this information helps.
Ada R.
Hi I just read about the triage. My question is I do have Cancer and other health issues also. I lost my job due to health. Then I was on SSI and do have Medicare and Medicaid. Since I’m a widow I decided to switch to get widow check because what I was getting from Social Security wasn’t enough. It still not enough but helps. My question is can I get SSDI? I don’t recall being on this one. Would I qualify, would I get a bit more money and benefits or am I better how I am now?
Vonda
Hi Ada, thanks for using our blog. It is possible for a person to be eligible for benefits from different records at the same time. However, we are only going to pay the highest benefit amount from either record – meaning that you will only be allowed to receive one payment. We hope this helps.
edel g.
Que se puede hacer con una persona con mas de 30 anos en este pais y sin documentos y padece de un. cancer en varias partes de sus cuerpo
Andy H.
The problem is that people who get Social Security Disability benefits (SSDI) have to wait 24 months before they get Medicare coverage unless they are diagnosed with ALS or ESRD. Affordable Care is an option until Medicare kicks in. It saved my son’s life!
Kat L.
I have disability already from a car accident and spine surgery. We should be able to get compensated if over the years another ailment arises, such as cancer, that I was diagnosed with last month. I am unable to work and not getting any unemployment