Cancer can take a great toll on a person’s health and their ability to engage in ordinary tasks. It is easy to see how severe forms of cancer or late-stage cancer can keep a person in California from working. Cancer sufferers may even find that simple daily tasks are difficult if not impossible. And while there are many ways to treat cancer, some of these treatments carry side effects that cause additional health problems that can be very severe or even disabling.
The side effects of anticancer therapy
There are many anticancer therapy options, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy among others. These options may help destroy the cancer, but they often carry serious side effects. Some of the side effects include:
- Delirium
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Flu-like symptoms
- Infection and neutropenia
- Memory problems
- Concentration problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain
- Bladder problems
These are only some examples of anticancer therapy side-effects. There are other side effects a cancer patient might experience, and every person’s case is different.
Can I pursue SSD benefits based on anticancer therapy side-effects?
If your cancer keeps you from working or even taking care of your daily activities, you may want to seek Social Security disability benefits. In general, the Social Security Administration generally only considers the listing criteria for the specific cancer you have when determining whether to award SSD benefits. Generally, SSD benefits are only awarded if anticancer therapy measures are ineffective allowing the cancer to persist, progress or reoccur.
However, the SSA recognizes that anticancer therapies and their toxicity can significantly affect an applicant’s health. Therefore, the SSA may ask for information regarding drugs given, dosage, how often the applicant takes the drugs, plans for further drug administration, the extent of surgeries performed and radiation schedules and fields. The SSA may also ask for a description of the adverse effects of the anticancer therapy. If these side-effects persist for at least 12 months in a row, they may be considered disabling.
Learn more about SSD benefits based on cancer
Ultimately, every cancer patient’s case is different and the SSA will treat it as such. This post cannot guarantee any particular outcome in a person’s application for SSD benefits. But, with the right help, you can learn more about applying for the benefits you need to get you through a tough financial time so you can focus on your health and recovery.
