If you or a member of your family has been diagnosed with a serious illness, it can often be difficult to know where to turn. Sorting through a multitude of possible treatment options, arranging for child care, addressing transportation issues, as well as the usual day-to-day responsibilities of life can all begin to feel overwhelming. When it all seems like it’s just too much, it might be comforting to know that Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits may be able to provide a bit of relief.
Until fairly recently, the process of applying for Social Security disability status was rather tedious and long. As much as 70% of the claims filed were denied on the first attempt, making it necessary to file an appeal. It became commonplace for these cases to go unresolved for years. Recognizing the fact that some illnesses almost automatically necessitated disability income, the Social Security Administration (SSA) created the Compassionate Allowances program. Individuals with illnesses that qualify for Compassionate Allowance status can have their disability benefits approved in a matter of weeks rather than months or years.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a condition that qualifies for a Compassionate Allowance, it would be in your best interest to begin the application process immediately so that you can begin receiving disability benefits sooner rather than later. Pancreatic Cancer is one of the conditions that qualify for the compassionate allowance program.
Is Pancreatic Cancer Disability?
Every year more than 50,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer qualifies for Social Security disability benefits because in almost all cases the cancer isn’t diagnosed until it has reached a very advanced level where it will be either difficult to treat or terminal.
In non-terminal cases the cancer is so difficult to treat that it’s impossible for people to work while undergoing treatment. Treatment needs to begin immediately after diagnosis so there’s no time to waste when it comes to applying for Social Security disability benefits.
People diagnosed with pancreatic cancer qualify for disability benefits so that they can focus on spending the time they have left with family and friends or focus on fighting the cancer so that they get well again.
A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer will automatically qualify someone to get disability benefits and to get them quick through the Compassionate Allowance Program.
Pancreatic Cancer - Condition and Symptoms
The pancreas is a large organ that is situated behind the stomach. It secretes enzymes that help the body to absorb and digest foods, especially fats. It also makes hormones such as insulin and glucagon which help control the body’s blood sugar levels.
Pancreatic Cancer may be present for a long time before symptoms manifest themselves, which means that the disease is often quite advanced when it is diagnosed. Symptoms may include nausea and/or vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, jaundice, fatigue, dark urine, clay colored stools, back pain, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping and indigestion.
Individuals with pancreatic cancer may have several options for treatment. Some types of Pancreatic Cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of these. If it becomes evident that a case is incurable, uncontrollable and/or inoperable, there are a number of comfort measures that can be helpful. As is the case with most cancers, early detection usually correlates with a more positive outcome.
What is the Compassionate Allowance Program?
The Social Security Administration knows that sometimes people are so ill that they need immediate financial help so that they can pay their bills and pay for things like housing, transportation, and food while they deal with serious medical illness.
So they created the Compassionate Allowance program to help people with serious illnesses get their benefits faster. There are 88 conditions that qualify for the Compassionate Allowance program and pancreatic cancer is one of them.
You don’t need to do anything special to have your claim processed through the Compassionate Allowance program.
When you submit your claim for disability benefits and all of your medical documentation your claim form will automatically be flagged by the SSA’s computer system as eligible for the Compassionate Allowance program because you are submitting a claim for a condition that is on the list of conditions that qualify.
Your claim form will be processed quickly and, in most cases, approved quickly. Once that happens your benefits will kick in quickly and you can start receiving your benefits.
For most people that qualify for the Compassionate Allowance it only is a couple of weeks before the benefits start.
Once you are approved for disability benefits through the Compassionate Allowance program you won’t need to wait months to get your money. the benefits can start in as little as two weeks.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Pancreatic Cancer
A person who has been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer will automatically qualify for Social Security disability benefits, since the SSA has determined that Pancreatic Cancer is one of the illnesses that meet disability standards. The result is that your disability case can be expedited, which means that the approval process can be completed in weeks, not years. If all of the correct documents are present and in order, you can expect your case to be completed in less than a month.
Despite the fact that Pancreatic Cancer is listed as a Compassionate Allowance, it would still be in your best interest to have your case evaluated by a Social Security disability lawyer. A disability lawyer will review your application and the accompanying documents to be sure that everything is in order. As a result, you will find the application process to be much less stressful. More importantly, your family can begin receiving Social Security disability benefits even sooner, which frees you to spend more time and energy caring for yourself or your loved one.
When filing for Social Security disability for Pancreatic Cancer, it may be necessary to provide confirmation of the disease through blood, urine or stool samples, CT scans, ultrasound or biopsy. Your experienced Social Security disability attorney will be able to be sure you have all of the documentation you need before your application is turned in.
How a Social Security Attorney can Help You With Your Case
Working with an experienced Social Security attorney might help you get your claim for disability benefits approved even faster.
If your claim is approved fast you’ll start getting your money soon. Even if you qualify for the Compassionate Allowance program your claim must be approved before you can start getting benefits.
An attorney that knows the Social Security system well can help you get your claim approved faster so that you can start getting your benefits faster.
Your Pancreatic Cancer Social Security Disability Case
If you or a member of your family has been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, you can feel confident that the affected person will definitely qualify to receive disability benefits from the SSA. However, it would still be a very good idea to have your case reviewed by a Social Security disability lawyer. Having someone who is familiar with the process and knows where the potential problems lie will help to get your case approved the first time, instead of getting stuck in the seemingly endless appeals process.
