January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. This month promotes awareness of cervical cancer, its causes and treatments. You may qualify for disability benefits for cervical cancer if you are unable to work for at least 12 months.
What Is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer develops in the cervix, which is the vital link between the uterus to the vagina. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is almost always the cause of cervical cancer, which last year caused 4,200 deaths. Vaccines against the virus are the key part of strategies for preventing the occurrence of cervical cancer.
Screening Options for Cervical Cancer
It is possible to be screened for cervical cancer before it becomes a severe medical condition. There are different options available which include pap smears that identify pre cancer cells if they are present on the cervix. Conducting a test for HPV is another option for identifying the presence of cervical cancer.
Disability Benefits For Cervical Cancer
If a screening test comes back positive, your doctor will conduct more tests. If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer and you are unable to work, you may qualify for disability benefits, but you have to submit evidence to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to prove that your medical condition will prevent you from working for at least 12 months.
The requirements are found in the SSA’s Blue Book section 13.27. You will be asked to provide the results of a biopsy and a needle aspiration. Also a pathology report and operative note will be required. In some situations the SSA may ask for evidence about persistence, recurrence or progression of the cervical cancer and the cancer’s response to treatment.
If you can provide acceptable evidence proving your diagnosis for cervical cancer for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI) you will still require enough work credits. If you have worked and paid social security taxes you should gain 4 work credits for every year worked.
In 2023 you will earn one credit for each $1,640 in wages or self-employment income. When your earnings have reached $6,560 you will have gained four credits for the year. How many you need to qualify for SSDI is dependent on your age.
For example, you usually need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years that ends at the year your disability starts. If you haven’t yet reached the age of 24 you may qualify if you have 6 credits earned in the 3-year period ending when your disability starts.
You will also need to make less than the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), which is $2,460 for blind workers and $1,470 for non-blind workers. If you are able to work and can make more than this amount in a month then you will not qualify.
Get Help With Your Cervical Cancer SSDI Claim
If you are having problems gathering sufficient medical evidence a disability lawyer may be able to help you file a claim. Complete the Free Case Evaluation on this page to get connected with an independent, participating attorney who subscribes to the website
