When an individual is diagnosed with cancer, the symptoms of the condition and the effects of the treatments will almost certainly make it impossible to continue with employment. People often assume that because they have dutifully paid their taxes, Social Security Disability benefits will be there to help them through trying times. Unfortunately, actually obtaining these benefits is something that is often harder than anticipated.
It takes some Social Security Disability applicants more than two years to obtain the disability benefits they need. While the initial application process only takes three to four months to complete, nearly 70 percent of disability claims are denied at this stage. In such cases, applicants must go on to appeal the SSA's decision to deny their benefits, and the case will usually end up in front of an administrative law judge at a disability hearing. Due to the significant backlog of Social Security Disability cases waiting to be heard by the Social Security Administration, it can take more than two years to have this hearing scheduled.
In certain cases, claimants suffering from severe cancer may qualify for expedited consideration and faster approval of their disability claims under the Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowances listings.
In 2008 the Social Security Administration introduced the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, which allows some disability applicants to be approved for benefits in less than a month. There are 88 conditions that qualify a Social Security Disability claim for processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines. Cases of stomach cancer that are inoperable, unresectable, recurrent, or with distant metastases may qualify an applicant for claim processing under the Compassionate Allowances listings.
If you have been diagnosed with this condition, the following information will help you through the Social Security Disability claim process and will shed light on how you can increase your chances of obtaining a quick and hassle-free approval of your disability claim under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Stomach Cancer - Condition and Symptoms
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is a type of cancer that can form in any part of the stomach and often spreads to other areas of the body including the lungs, lymph nodes, liver and esophagus. This particular form of cancer is very aggressive, causing approximately 800,000 deaths worldwide each year.
Stomach cancer usually does not cause a patient to experience any symptoms in the early stages of the disease. By the time a patient does notice symptoms, the cancer has usually spread and reached an advanced stage that offers poor prognosis. The cancer is staged into numerical categories including Stages 0 through 4. The more advanced the stage the cancer diagnosis, the poorer the prognosis for the patient.
When symptoms of stomach cancer do become apparent, they usually manifest as indigestion, appetite loss, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, general weakness, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, blood in the stool, and dysphagia.
Treatment for stomach cancer will vary depending on how far the cancer has progressed and the overall health of the cancer patient. Surgery is often performed to treat a stomach cancer condition, but when stomach cancer is inoperable, unresectable, or recurrent, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be administered. Unfortunately, this type of cancer does not usually respond well to these treatments.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Stomach Cancer that is Inoperable, Unresectable, Recurrent, or has Distant Metastases)
If you have been diagnosed with stomach cancer that is inoperable, unresectable, or recurrent, or you have stomach cancer with distant metastases, chances are that you will have to leave the workplace. With no alternate source of income, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to help to make ends meet.
Once you have been diagnosed with this condition, you can contact a local Social Security office and request a disability application online, over the phone, or at your local branch office. When filling out the necessary application forms, make sure you complete the forms in their entirety and answer all questions with thorough and descriptive explanations. The more information you can provide, the more likely you will be to receive an approval of your initial disability claim.
Your Stomach Cancer Social Security Disability Case
When filing a disability claim based on one of the 88 conditions covered under the Compassionate Allowances listings, do not assume that your claim will be automatically approved by the Social Security Administration. While it does not happen often, the SSA has been known to deny Compassionate Allowances claims on occasion – usually due to a lack of medical evidence or improperly completed disability claim forms.
If you want to increase your chances of receiving a quick and hassle-free approval of your Social Security Disability benefits, you may want to consider the services of a qualified disability attorney. The professional you work with will be able to help you in the preparation of your application paperwork and will ensure that your claim is submitted to the Social Security Administration in the best possible light.
To learn more about the Social Security Compassionate Allowance listings, or to find out if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits due to a case of inoperable, unresectable, or recurrent stomach cancer or stomach cancer with distant metastasis, request a free evaluation of your Social Security Disability case today.
