Cancer
Cancer has become one of the most common diseases in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, half of all men will develop cancer during their lifetime. One-third of women will develop it during theirs.
If you're one of the many millions who have cancer, you may be suffering greatly – especially if you have an advanced form of cancer or your treatment is very aggressive. Chemotherapy and prescription medications may make it hard to function at all, let alone work. Costly medical bills and no paycheck may mean even more stress on you and your family.
You may qualify for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits. But unfortunately, the Social Security Administration denies over three-quarters of initial applications.
Hiring an experienced attorney can increase your chances of being approved for SSD benefits.
Cancer and SSD Eligibility
There are more than 100 types of cancer, and each is unique. Some are quite treatable and even curable, while others tend to be very aggressive.
Because of that, the Social Security Administration can't provide SSD benefits for every person who has been diagnosed with cancer. They apply the same criteria for all patients suffering from a physical disability or mental health condition. To be eligible for SSD benefits, your cancer must:
- Prevent you from working full-time in any capacity
- Have lasted, or is expected to last, for at least one year
- Be life-threatening
Many people diagnosed with cancer undergo surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, prescription medications, or a combination of treatment options. Some procedures require extended hospital stays so an oncologist can monitor the patient's progress. Others can cause severe side effects and weaken the immune system – especially chemotherapy. Some patients are unable to work for a year or more, depending on the treatment.
If you think you are eligible for SSD benefits, keep in mind that the Social Security Administration will review your medical records. They will look for when you were diagnosed, your treatments, and other details. It's crucial to follow your oncologist's treatment and take your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed. Otherwise, the Social Security Administration will not consider you to be eligible for SSD benefits.
The Social Security Administration also will review your work history, age, education, etc. If you haven't worked enough – or recently enough – to qualify for SSD benefits, you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
If the Social Security Administration denies your initial application, you have only 60 days to appeal. You can reapply after that time frame, but the SSD claims process will start over again.
Hiring an Attorney Could Make All the Difference
When you go up against the Social Security Administration alone, the odds are stacked against you. The government denies the majority of claims, and the system is very complex. You have opportunities to make mistakes at every turn.
If you want to increase your likelihood of receiving SSD benefits, choose Edgar Snyder & Associates. At our law firm, we operate on what's called a contingent fee basis. That means you don't pay us until we get SSD benefits for you. If we help you apply or represent you for your appeal and you're not approved, you won't owe us a penny.
Our attorneys understand that you should concentrate on beating the cancer – not worrying about your finances and dealing with the government. That's why we use decades of experience to take care of your hassles and get you the SSD benefits you need.
Our track record of success speaks for itself. We win the majority of appeals for our clients. But we also give our clients peace of mind. We answer your questions quickly, without the legal jargon. We take care of the confusing paperwork and guide you through the confusing claims process. We treat you the way you deserve to be treated.
Get a No Obligation, Free Legal Consultation Today
If you, or someone you care about, are fighting cancer and you can't work, trust Edgar Snyder & Associates to get you the SSD benefits you deserve.
We can help you apply, or if your application was denied, we can appeal your SSD claim. But you must act quickly. You have only 60 days to file an appeal.
Call 412-394-1000, or fill out our free legal consultation form. There are no strings attached, and you're not obligated to use our services.
The bottom line? Hiring an attorney may mean the difference between collecting SSD benefits or not. Fight your battle with cancer. We'll go up against the government and fight for your SSD benefits.