Disability, SSI

Diagnosed with Cancer? Social Security and Triage Cancer Can Help

December 2, 2021 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

social security and triage cancer can helpWhen 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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  1. Linda

    5 Reasons Why You Should Choose a Voltas AC: A blog listing 5 reasons why people use a voltas air conditioner.

  2. Mario

    The First Asian Athlete To Be On A Wheelchair:A blog on one of the inspiring stories that have less coverage.

  3. Ashlee

    Please direct me to the proper person for this question if you don’t know the answer. My Brother in Law has been on disability for the last 8 years. His wife, my sister, is the worker in the house. He has just been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and she needs to know if he can now qualify for Medicare for help with his cancer? Her insurance from work has been doing their part but he is in need of Medicare and his own insurance but she has no clue where to start to get him help so since she works and has no time and he cant do the legwork I am stepping in to help her find the proper right people who can help her in her time of need. Can you please point me in the right direction? Thank you

  4. D. R.

    Many ideas typically bombard people when they hear the terrible words, “You have cancer.” They consider their health, their families, and their own mortality. Treatment options, physicians, and cancer clinics come to mind. What they usually don’t consider are the legal difficulties that arise as a result of their diagnosis. However, they frequently have issues about their health insurance alternatives, job rights, and taking time off from work. find more with ref. of pay someone to take my online class

    • Ashlee

      Not sure what this has to do with social security but my personal opinion to this is Wow as a society have we sunk so low and become so lazy that we need people to do this for us? Brings to mind the movie Wall-e and this site is leading us to that type of life and no one should ever do this. Again it is my opinion and has no place on this or any other site that reaches millions of desperate people.

  5. Minda B.

    Hi, my husband was diagnosed with very aggressive cancer in the serebellum part of the brain, he needs 24/7 care, and I am the care taker. my question is can he apply for SSDI , even though he retired 2 months ago ? he worked as a police officer for 25 years . he is only 61 years old. question#2 is . I have not work since he got sick I exhausted my FMLA. he can not be alone he is not able to do things on his own He lost his balance. Can I as his spouse apply for benefits ? Thank you . Minda

    • Vonda

      Hi Minda, 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, your husband 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 your husband may be eligible to receive disability benefits and would like to apply, 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.

      To be eligible for spouse’s benefits, you must be at least 62 years of age and your spouse must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. We do not pay caregivers. However, you may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for more information. Thanks.

    • CHRISTOPHER G.

      Did your husband by chance serve at any time in the military?

  6. Stephen D.

    My question is similar to Usha S.

    My understanding:
    1. If one becomes disabled at or before age 62, his/her SSDI benefit will be calculated as if he were Full Retirement Age, and when he attains full retirement age, will be converted to Social Security at the same amount.

    2. If one retires at age 62 on Social Security with reduced benefits (30 percent reduced?), and subsequently becomes disabled at 64, he would go on SSDI, calculated at FRA., then, at FRA, will convert to SS at same FRA benefit level.

    3. What happens if he becomes disabled at 65 ½ (65.5) with FRA of 66? Can his reduced SS payment be reverted to SSDI, calculated at FRA, then converted back to SS, as in example 1?

    4. What if he becomes permanently disabled at age 66 ½ (66.5) ?

    Full disclosure: I ask because I retired at 62 on regular Social Security with reduced benefits. At age 72, I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer which, I believe, is grounds for SSDI. If at all possible, I would like my future SS benefits be based on calculations by Full Retirement Age.

    Thank you.

    • Vonda

      Hi Stephen, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. When a person has reached their full retirement age and is receiving Social Security retirement, they are no longer eligible for disability benefits. 

      • April D.

        My daughters father who is 60 was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. My daughter is 14. Would she qualify for any benefits since he can not pay child support anymore? We were never married but he has court ordered child support.

        • Vonda

          Hi April, thanks for using our blog. When a parent gets Social Security retirement or disability benefits, their child/children also may get benefits. Children also can get benefits when a parent dies. The child can be a biological child, adopted child or stepchild. A dependent grandchild also may qualify.

          To get benefits, the child/children must be unmarried and:
          • Younger than age 18;
          • A full-time student (no higher than grade 12) 18 to 19 years old; or
          • Have a disability that started before age 22 and is 18 years or older.

          See our factsheet on Benefits for Children for more information.

          To inquire about potential benefits, you can call 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.

  7. Usha S.

    My husband is a terminal pancreatic cancer patient since 2019. He is 86 years old and receiving his regular social security monthly payments. Can his benefits be changed to Disability payment? We have incurred a lot of credit card debts and struggling to make payments. Can he get some help to pay for his care giver, who lost his job because of taking numerous days off to drive us to see the doctors and taking care of my husbands physical needs, like washing him, helping to do exercises etc. I am unable to help him
    as I am suffering from chronic rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure. Is there some help available for people like us? Please advise. Thank you.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Usha. We are sorry to hear about your husband’s condition. We pay disability benefits to people under their full retirement age who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or end in death. Once people reach full retirement age, we pay them their retirement benefits.  You may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps!

  8. Cynthia S.

    I started my SSI retirement in 1219- I wasn’t ready. Too retire— Doubled mastectomy- then gallbladder CA—l need some money help—lt seems l can’t live- and eat like a normal people – can l get food vouchers-l can’t go anywhere- my truck uses lots of gas- My twin is the only person left- she caused a super emotional rift/ with in the family- l haven’t seen/etc – we was never we

    • Vonda

      Hi Cynthia, thanks for using our blog. Some individuals may be eligible to receive additional assistance from the state where they live. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for more information. We hope this information is helpful!

  9. Donna M.

    My brother was approved because he had cancer. He died before he ever received his first check! I hope his widow will receive something. She is only 56 herself and isn’t old enough to collect widow’s SS. Will they still send her something for the time before he died? It is so sad what she is going thru.

    • Vonda

      Hi Donna, we are very sorry for your loss. There is a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 that can be paid to the surviving spouse. She would need to call and make an appointment to file for that benefit. She can call her local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. 

      She may be eligible for reduced widows benefits as early as age 60 (age 50 if disabled) and at any age if caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled and receiving benefits on the deceased’s record. Survivor benefit amounts are based on her husband’s earnings. The more he paid into Social Security, the higher the benefits would be. The benefits will not be established automatically, she will have to contact us.

      Check out our If You Are The Survivor web page for details. We hope this helps! 

  10. Lisa M.

    Lisa M.
    December 6, 2021

    I have several health issues and gaining it seems. I have been diagnosed with lymphmonia in both lungs (doing scans every 3 months for the moment)..I have chronic kidney disease (stage 3 right at stage 4 and rising), I have chronic ulcerative colitis (take infusions every 8 weeks for it), pain management for chronic/severe back and hip pain (can’t spell the name of the back issues) that I have tried every cure known to man-(getting the nerve stimulator very soon to help with the pain). I have a full time job that requires sitting all day at a computer and it causes me so much pain by the end of the day I can hardly get up and walk. I have to take pain meds during the day now to try to make it through.
    I am looking at my options as far as Long Term Disability (I have a policy), SSI and SS Disability…I just can’t work like this anymore and I can’t drive the buses due to some of my health issues which is part of my job requirement. I am turning 61 and have been in my present job since 1998. I just need some advice in which direction to go.
    I have a friend that her husband draws a check from long term disability and SSI. She said that you can receive both because neither considers the other as a taxable income..Is this true? Can you draw both at the same time?
    Please help me if you can as I don’t know what dir3ection to go in but I have got to leave this job very soon to deal with these health issues….

    • Vonda

      Hi Lisa, 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.

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