Are you struggling to work or manage daily tasks because of leukemia? Social Security disability benefits could provide the financial relief you need. The application process can feel overwhelming, especially on top of treatment and recovery, but you don’t have to handle it alone. A lawyer from Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons can explain how to qualify for disability with leukemia and help you secure the support you deserve.
Contact us now to arrange your free initial, no-obligation consultation and learn more about how we can help you pursue SSDI for leukemia.
What Is Leukemia?
Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow, where blood cells form. It causes the body to produce large numbers of abnormal white blood cells that crowd out healthy blood cells. An excess of abnormal cells makes it harder for the body to fight infections, control bleeding, or carry oxygen. Leukemia symptoms can include fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and frequent infections. Treatment often involves chemotherapy, targeted drugs, radiation, stem cell transplants, or bone marrow transplants.
Can I Get Disability Benefits If I am Suffering from the Effects of Leukemia?
Yes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes certain forms of leukemia as disabling conditions. Acute leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in the blast phase are all listed as qualifying conditions in the SSA’s Blue Book. Even if your leukemia does not match a listing exactly, such as acute lymphocytic leukemia, you might still qualify if leukemia-related treatments or complications prevent you from working.
How Does the SSA Decide If I Qualify for Disability Benefits for Leukemia?
The SSA reviews your medical evidence and compares it to the cancer listings in Section 13.06 of its Blue Book. Acute leukemia and CML in the accelerated or blast phase typically meet the listing requirements automatically. The SSA will look for documentation like bone marrow tests, chromosomal analysis, and treatment details to confirm your diagnosis.
If you have undergone chemotherapy, radiation, or bone marrow transplantation, the SSA considers both the disease and treatment effects as part of your claim. If your leukemia symptoms or its treatment causes long-term fatigue, weakness, or other serious health problems, the SSA might find you disabled even if the cancer is in remission.
SSDI for Leukemia
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly benefits to people who cannot work because of a serious medical condition. To qualify, you must have worked long enough to pay Social Security taxes and meet the medical standards for disability. Leukemia often meets those standards because it can severely affect your ability to work.
Types of leukemia that may qualify include the following:
- Acute Leukemia – A fast-growing cancer that causes the bone marrow to produce large numbers of immature white blood cells that crowd out healthy cells.
- Chronic Leukemia – A slower-developing cancer that produces too many mature but abnormal white blood cells over time.
- Blastic Transformation of Chronic Leukemia into Acute Leukemia – An advanced stage of chronic leukemia in which the disease suddenly accelerates and behaves like acute leukemia.
SSI for Leukemia
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly payments to people with limited income and resources who are unable to work because of a medical condition. If leukemia prevents you from working and your income falls below the SSA’s limits for substantial gainful activity (SGA), you might qualify for SSI. You do not need a work history to apply for SSI. If you qualify, SSI can help you pay for basic needs like housing and food.
Evidence You’ll Need to Support Your Claim for Disability Benefits for Leukemia
The SSA requires detailed medical evidence to approve leukemia-related disability claims. Your records should include your initial diagnosis, lab results, bone marrow tests, pathology reports, and treatment notes. Blood work showing abnormal white blood cell counts and chromosomal studies confirming conditions like the Philadelphia chromosome can also help.
Reports from your oncologist describing your response to treatments, side effects, and prognosis are useful, too. You should also include hospital records, medication lists, and documentation of symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, or frequent infections with your application.
The more complete your evidence, the stronger your claim will be.
Does Leukemia Qualify Under a Compassionate Allowance?
Yes. The SSA includes both acute leukemia and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in the blast phase on its compassionate allowances list. The compassionate allowances program allows the SSA to fast-track claims for people with severe or life-threatening conditions. If your diagnosis falls into either of these categories, the SSA may approve your application in weeks rather than months. You’ll still need medical proof of your leukemia, but the process will move faster since the SSA’s medical listings already confirm the disabling nature of the condition.
Does Leukemia Qualify Under a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) Assessment?
If your condition does not meet the exact SSA listing for leukemia, you might still qualify based on a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment. The SSA uses these assessments to decide how much you can work despite your condition. They assess your ability to stand, walk, lift, and remain focused throughout a full workday. Chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatments often cause fatigue, weakness, or nausea that make steady work impossible. The SSA considers these effects when determining your capacity. If the RFC shows you cannot maintain regular employment, the SSA may approve your disability benefits.
How Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons Can Help You
The team at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons has nearly 30 years of experience and has represented people in more than 5,000 Social Security Disability hearings. We understand how to build strong leukemia disability claims that meet Social Security’s medical and technical requirements. Our team can collect medical records, prepare accurate applications, and communicate directly with the SSA on your behalf. We also handle appeals when necessary. Let us focus on pursuing the benefits you deserve so you can focus on your health.
Talk to Our Oklahoma Social Security Disability Attorneys for Free
If leukemia affects your ability to hold down a job, know that you do not have to handle the Social Security Disability process alone. The SSDI attorneys at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons can review your claim, explain your options, and help you pursue the benefits you need. We handle every step with care and close attention to detail, from your initial application to the appeals process. Contact our Social Security disability lawyers to get started with your free, fully confidential initial consultation now.
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