Are people going through cancer treatment eligible for short term Social Security disability benefits?

cancer treatments
Zennjenn asked:


I have cancer and someone told me I should apply. Does anyone know if this is possible? I’m a stay at home mom and money is running low….Thanks in advance.

  1. Jess
    December 18th, 2008 at 02:23
    Reply | Quote | #1

    You could phone S.S. and ask but be warned it takes 2-3 years to get disability, so be prepared to wait.

  2. neesee
    December 19th, 2008 at 09:12
    Reply | Quote | #2

    YES PLEASE APPLY, BUT REMEMBER IT TAKES AWAY FROM YOUR FUTURE BENEFITS, SSA, AND ANY PENSION YOU WILL RECEIVED IN THE FUTURE. IF YOU NOT PLANNING ON STAYING ON THAT LONG IT WON’T HAVE THAT MUCH EFFECT.

  3. William B
    December 21st, 2008 at 21:27
    Reply | Quote | #3

    Yes, you are eligible for Social Security Disability payments. Get your doctor to write a letter describing your condition, your treatments, and your current ability to work. Then take that to the Social Security Administration office in your area. If there is none, then go to http:\\www.ssa.gov and it will tell you exactly what to do. The most time it should take is three months. And payment is dated from the date you applied not the date you are approved.

    Good Luck.

  4. Panda
    December 23rd, 2008 at 08:52
    Reply | Quote | #4

    Yes. My son applied and was approved within a few weeks. They were very quick. He had been working since he was pretty young and qualified for all Social Security and disability benefits.

    Actually benefits were retroactive back one year or to the date of diagnosis. They only went back one year for my son.

  5. tessasmomy
    December 26th, 2008 at 00:36
    Reply | Quote | #5

    Yes. APPLY! If you qualify then you should contact your local Department of Human Services to see what other state and federal help you can receive.

    My son is 5 yrs old. He had cancer at 3 1/2 and is on SSI. He also qualifies for Medicaid, because he qualifies for SSI.

  6. linda mary w
    December 29th, 2008 at 02:09
    Reply | Quote | #6

    well i hope you can get the help you need,but my sister shes 48 has throat cancer shes had 6 weeks of radiotheraphy and shes very ill (lost loads of weight sick ect,)shes very frail too,shes got a 14 year old daughter to look after,as well shes been refused sickness benefits ie,disability,invalidity, she only gets income suport for her and her daughter as she is to unwell to work at the moment,the system is wrong wheres the justice?

  7. becky k
    December 30th, 2008 at 10:20
    Reply | Quote | #7

    yes i would call ssi …my sister did stage 4 cancer ..as long as you can’t work …and plus you have a child…they should give it too you …if you get denied …just keep appeling it .till you get approved…good luck

  8. Simmi
    January 1st, 2009 at 02:44
    Reply | Quote | #8

    Social Security is not short term and there is a waiting period of several months before you can get it. They also intentionally make it difficult to get hoping a lot of people will drop out in the process of getting it. There may be other sorts of support available. Check out Social Services in your area though they go by the poverty leve. Perhaps food programs indirectly can help with finances.

  9. EMMA N
    January 3rd, 2009 at 14:40
    Reply | Quote | #9

    Yes you are eligible, and also you are able to get a grant from macmillan cancer trust although you need to ask a health proffesional for a form.

  10. charisse t
    January 6th, 2009 at 02:18

    have you ever worked if so you can apply for disability. I applied for disability but it takes 5 to 6 months before you will draw your check. You have to prove that you are unable to preform the duty’s that you once were able to do.

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