A diagnosis of cancer alone can be life-changing for almost everyone involved. The side effects of cancer, chemotherapy, and other treatments can make holding a full-time job difficult. Certain abilities may not be the same as cancer progresses and chemotherapy continues. Talking to an experienced Pennsylvania disability lawyer about your current situation can help you obtain the disability benefits you need to maintain your finances. 

Common Disabilities from Cancer 

Depending on the type of cancer you were diagnosed with, you may experience different types of side effects of cancer itself or the treatments involved. Common side effects of cancer in general include:

• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hair loss
• Pain
• Memory or concentration problems
• Depression
• Difficulty with breathing
• Low blood count

Fatigue can make mentally or physically demanding jobs difficult for anyone. Nausea and vomiting can disrupt concentration when trying to work at a job that requires giving presentations or managing groups of people. Frequent trips to the bathroom to vomit may disrupt the usual workflow. Chronic pain and depression can also disrupt concentration and focus for mental activities. This can make long hours at the office stressful or less productive than the supervisor demands.  

Certain medical appointments and sessions of chemotherapy may interfere with scheduled work hours. Missing work may lead to lost wages or being fired.  

Disability Benefits for People with Cancer 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a list of what counts as a disability in their Blue Book. Amongst the types of cancers that are listed include cancers of the esophagus, brain, breast, gallbladder, liver, thyroid, and pancreas. Salivary cancer, sinonasal cancer, and small cell cancers are also listed.  

If the type of cancer you were diagnosed with does not fit any of these categories, do not panic. You may still be able to receive disability benefits if you can have your type of cancer approved by the SSA. This will require evidence of functional impairments caused by your cancer and may entail obtaining a doctor’s note. Obtaining copies of your medical records can also increase your chances of receiving benefits.  

Evidence that your cancer is spreading, is inoperable, is terminal, or has returned multiple times is often accepted as a disability by the SSA. If you are still denied disability benefits after presenting evidence for your cancer and current limitations, then consider talking to a lawyer about your situation. 

A lawyer with experience in disability claims can help you figure out if anything was missing from your request for benefits. Sometimes it only takes one missing document or piece of evidence to have your benefits denied. There is a multi-level appeals process you can go through to have your disability re-evaluated. Working with a lawyer on this may save you time and might increase your chances of a successful appeal.  

Pennsylvania Individual Disability Insurance Lawyer 

Try consulting with a Pennsylvania individual disability insurance lawyer at Edelstein & Nelson if you have been denied disability benefits after going through all the paperwork involved in the application process. Receiving disability benefits can help you recover from lost income and maintain future income during the duration of your condition. Contact Edelstein & Nelson today at 800-887-4529 for a consultation.