How To Apply For Disability With Sarcoma

Qualifying For Disability Benefits with Sarcoma

If you have been diagnosed with any kind of sarcoma, you may find yourself unable to work and earn a living. Even the treatments can make one ill and can cause difficulty for the individual. Sarcoma is a form of skin cancer that requires treatment and sometimes surgical intervention. Here are some details about qualifying for disability benefits with sarcoma. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has strict guidelines for disability approval.

Meeting The Medical Criteria

The SSA uses a medical guide, which is called the Blue Book. The Blue Book has sections that cover different body systems, and each section has listings for potentially disabling conditions. Each condition has specific criteria that must be met. There are listings for sarcoma. In general, to qualify with skin cancer, you must show that your sarcoma is inoperable or unresectable, that the tumor has recurred after treatment. If you cannot meet the listing criteria, you can still qualify using a medical vocational allowance.

You must provide detailed medical records to support your claim. You will need to provide physician notes, pathology reports, surgical notes, and a detailed treatment plan. You will need to show the diagnosis as well as the severity of the symptoms and the prognosis. You must be unable to work for at least 12 months to qualify for disability benefits.

Using The RFC

Using a medical vocational allowance to be approved for disability benefits involves taking your age, work history, transferrable skills, and educational background all into consideration. Your treating physician will complete a residual functional capacity (RFC) form, which will detail what you can and cannot do and allow disability determination services to determine if you are capable of working, and if so, what kind of work you can do.

An RFC may indicate that you must reposition frequently, or because of your sarcoma treatments you may suffer nausea and vomiting that requires frequent bathroom visits. Your pain medication may cause dizziness and drowsiness, which in turn make it unsafe for you to operate any machinery or to drive a vehicle and make deliveries. The RFC will present the entire picture, indicating what you can and cannot do.

Applying For Disability Benefits

If you are ready to apply for disability benefits, be sure to gather yoursupporting medical evidence. You must have a detailed list of all your medical providers, their contact details, and the approximate dates of service. You will need to complete the claim form in detail, making sure every question is answered accurately and appropriately. You can start the claims process onlineor by calling 1-800-772-1213 and talking with a SSA representative.

Resources Found Via:

• https://www.ssa.gov/
• https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/13.00-NeoplasticDiseases-Malignant-Adult.htm#13_04
• https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/blog/what-is-rfc-and-why-obtain-one
• https://www.disability-benefits-help.org/blog/medical-evidence
• https://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/

Article by Eric Minghella
Social Security Disability Help
Email questions/comments to emm@ssd-help.org