Those who don’t know anyone to suffer from breast cancer are extremely lucky. For most Missourians, this oftentimes deadly disease destroys their and their families’ lives. Although the mere thought of contracting breast cancer can be enough to send shivers through one’s body, those who wind up with the disease need to know what they can do to protect their health as well as their financial well-being.
Those who are diagnosed with breast cancer first and foremost need to seek out the best medical care they can find and afford. While receiving treatment, these individuals may find themselves unable to work. This sudden loss of income can jeopardize their medical care and threaten their ability to maintain a stable home.
How can breast cancer sufferers prevent this from happening? One of the best ways is to seek out Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration will award benefits to those with breast cancer if certain requirements are met. The first way to qualify is to provide evidence that the cancer is locally advanced. For example, extension to the skin or chest wall would qualify. If an individual has carcinoma that metastasizes to certain nodes, then he or she may also qualify for SSD benefits. Carcinoma that reappears may also be qualifying. Lastly, lymphedema that is a result of treatment and is treated by surgery may deem one disabled for benefits purposes.
When coping with a serious disease like cancer, it can be difficult to think about things like Social Security disability benefits. Yet these benefits can actually free an individual’s mind from things like money so that they can focus on what really matters: their health. Therefore, those who would like assistance pursuing these benefits may want to speak with a competent attorney.
Source: Social Security Administration, “13.00 Cancer – Adult,” accessed on Oct. 28, 2016