Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWho Qualifies?How to Submit a ClaimHow Much Will You Receive?Other Sources of Financial SupportFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Who Qualifies?
How to Submit a Claim
How Much Will You Receive?
Other Sources of Financial Support
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have another type of lung cancer, you must meet the definition of disability under the Social Security Act.Read on for more information on Social Security Disability benefits with regard to lung cancer, including eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Who Qualifies for Cancer Disability?
To qualify for SSDI benefits with lung cancer, you must:
This means that your condition must limit your ability to work for 12 months or more. If your lung cancer does not restrict your work-related activities, you will not qualify.
In addition to meeting the definition of disability, you must have worked long enough (and recently enough) under Social Security to qualify for SSDI benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses “work credits” to determine eligibility.
Work credits are based on your total yearly income, and people can earn up to four credits each year. The number of work credits you need to qualify for SSDI benefits depends on the age at which you were diagnosed with lung cancer. Most people need 40 work credits, 20 of which must be earned in the last 10 years. Younger workers may qualify for the benefits with fewer credits.
How Long Do Benefits Last?If you qualify for SSDI, your benefits will continue until you can return to work on a regular basis. There are also work incentives that provide continued healthcare coverage and benefits to help make the transition back to work a little easier.
How Long Do Benefits Last?
If you qualify for SSDI, your benefits will continue until you can return to work on a regular basis. There are also work incentives that provide continued healthcare coverage and benefits to help make the transition back to work a little easier.
How to Submit a Claim for Disability
You can apply for SSDI online or set up an appointment on the phone. No matter how you apply, the application process generally goes as follows:
As you fill in your application, be sure to include all of your medical records. The SSA requires them to approve your disability claim for lung cancer. These records may include:
You’ll also want to be sure to include contact information for all of your healthcare providers, including treatment facilities, hospitals, and doctors. Any missing information or gaps in your medical records may disqualify you from SSDI eligibility.
Compassionate Allowance ProgramIndividuals with small cell lung cancer automatically qualify for the Compassionate Allowance Program, an initiative that helps reduce wait times for those with the most serious disabilities so your SSDI benefits can begin as soon as possible.
Compassionate Allowance Program
Individuals with small cell lung cancer automatically qualify for the Compassionate Allowance Program, an initiative that helps reduce wait times for those with the most serious disabilities so your SSDI benefits can begin as soon as possible.
How Much Disability Will You Receive?
The amount of SSDI benefits you receive each month will be based on how long you worked and how much Social Security tax you have paid over the years. If your application is approved, you will receive benefits six months after your disability began. Since small cell lung cancer is on the Compassionate Allowance list, the process is expedited.
Factors That Affect the SSDI Benefit You ReceiveIn May 2024, the average SSDI benefit was $1,537 per month.Factors that influence the amount you receive include:Employment incomeWhether you receive other disability benefitsMarital statusNumber of dependents (children)
Factors That Affect the SSDI Benefit You Receive
In May 2024, the average SSDI benefit was $1,537 per month.Factors that influence the amount you receive include:Employment incomeWhether you receive other disability benefitsMarital statusNumber of dependents (children)
In May 2024, the average SSDI benefit was $1,537 per month.Factors that influence the amount you receive include:
If your application for SSDI is denied, there are other options to receive financial assistance. Federal and state-run programs are available to assist with needs related to healthcare and basic living expenses if you meet the eligibility requirements.
There are also local and national nonprofit programs that may provide assistance to those who can demonstrate a need.
Visit the Cancer CareSources of Financial Assistance pagefor more information.
Summary
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federally run benefits program available to people who have worked long enough, paid into Social Security taxes, and have a qualifying disability, such as small-cell lung cancer. SSDI benefits are provided to replace lost income and help individuals with disabilities stay afloat financially.
SSDI eligibility requirements are strict, and a lung cancer diagnosis is not guaranteed approval to receive the benefits. You can apply for SSDI benefits online, on the phone, or at your nearest Social Security Administration office. It’s important to provide thorough, detailed information about your lung cancer diagnosis, medical history, employment history, and family details for your application to be reviewed and approved.
A Word From Verywell
A lung cancer diagnosis and associated treatments and medical care can be financially devastating to many people. SSDI benefits provide monthly payouts to people with certain types of cancer. If you can no longer work due to your lung cancer diagnosis, the SSDI program is there to help relieve some of the financial burden related to lost income.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYou may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits if you have a cancer diagnosis. Your eligibility depends on the type of cancer you have and the stage it is in. People with certain forms of cancer, such as small-cell lung cancer, automatically qualify for SSDI benefits.In May, 2024, the average SSDI benefit was $1,537 a month.You may receive more or less than this amount, depending on your average employment income, marital status, and whether you have dependents. The severity of your disability does not have any bearing on the amount you are paid each month.Factors that influence the amount of SSDI benefits paid to you each month include your employment income, marital status, number of dependents, and whether you receive other disability benefits.
You may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits if you have a cancer diagnosis. Your eligibility depends on the type of cancer you have and the stage it is in. People with certain forms of cancer, such as small-cell lung cancer, automatically qualify for SSDI benefits.
In May, 2024, the average SSDI benefit was $1,537 a month.You may receive more or less than this amount, depending on your average employment income, marital status, and whether you have dependents. The severity of your disability does not have any bearing on the amount you are paid each month.
Factors that influence the amount of SSDI benefits paid to you each month include your employment income, marital status, number of dependents, and whether you receive other disability benefits.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Social Security Administration.Who can get Disability?Social Security Administration.Small cell lung cancer.Social Security Administration.Facts.Social Security Administration.How you qualify.Social Security Administration.Apply for Social Security benefits.Social Security Administration.Disabled worker average benefits.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Social Security Administration.Who can get Disability?Social Security Administration.Small cell lung cancer.Social Security Administration.Facts.Social Security Administration.How you qualify.Social Security Administration.Apply for Social Security benefits.Social Security Administration.Disabled worker average benefits.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Social Security Administration.Who can get Disability?Social Security Administration.Small cell lung cancer.Social Security Administration.Facts.Social Security Administration.How you qualify.Social Security Administration.Apply for Social Security benefits.Social Security Administration.Disabled worker average benefits.
Social Security Administration.Who can get Disability?
Social Security Administration.Small cell lung cancer.
Social Security Administration.Facts.
Social Security Administration.How you qualify.
Social Security Administration.Apply for Social Security benefits.
Social Security Administration.Disabled worker average benefits.
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