Typically affecting older adults, as well as men and women equally, colon cancer develops in stages. Undetected, it can turn into a terminal illness. Even if colon cancer is detected, the disease can have a negative impact on your ability to hold down a job. From extensive treatment regiments to being unable to get out of bed for work, colon cancer can turn a healthy financial situation into a money nightmare.
Where do you turn for help if you suffer from colon cancer? A disability benefits program offered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) is a good place to start.
How to Gain Approval for Disability Benefits
The SSA requires disability applicants to submit a form for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) coverage. Approval for SSDI with colon cancer benefits depends on the standards established by the Blue Book put out by the SSA. The Blue Book lists every medical condition that makes applicants eligible to receive SSDU benefits. However, you also have to exceed the minimum thresholds set by the SSA for the severity of symptoms. If you do not meet the standards established by the SSA, the federal government agency might ask you to submit a supplemental form called the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment form.
As the name implies, an RFC assessment form measures your ability to function on the job, while dealing with a medical condition such as colon cancer. A representative from the Disability Determination Services (DDS) department conducts a comprehensive review of your RFC assessment form. The key is to discover whether the symptoms you experience for colon cancer impede your ability to hold down a steady job. You might not be able to function properly at your current job, but maybe colon cancer has not progressed to the point that it limits your ability to work in other types of positions.
Submit Convincing Medical Evidence
Medical documentation represents the most persuasive evidence to get your RFC assessment form approved by the SSA. Diagnosing colon cancer can involve multiple procedures that include the common colonoscopy. A colonoscopy provides your physicians with a detailed look inside the colon during a period while you lie sedated. CT Colonography screenings require the professional acumen of a licensed radiologist who conducts a thorough imaging test.
In addition to the evidence delivered by certified medical tests, your RFC assessment form should also include a comprehensive report describing your treatment and rehabilitation regimen. Not only does the SSA want to know the extent of your colon cancer, the federal government agency also needs to know your prognosis. That is, is there a chance down the road that you will return to work in your current position. The SSA also want to determine how long you will need financial support to make up for the loss of a job.
Know the Strength of Your RFC Assessment Form
Guessing about how strong the medical evidence is for your RFC assessment form is not a sound strategy. You should complete a free case evaluation to determine whether you need more supporting medical documentation to present the most convincing case to receive SSDI benefits. The sooner you receive the results of a free case evaluation, the sooner you can start the ball rolling on a disability benefits process that can take months to unfold.
Schedule a free case evaluation today to determine the strength of your RFC assessment form.
