Being diagnosed with cancer is quite stressful, devastating, and hard. Although more and more research has been done about cancer and mortality, you probably still do not understand your options and outlook as you fight the disease. Plus, securing long-term benefits for this condition is a complicated process.
Cancer itself is not disabling. Often, it’s the treatment that can put you in a disabling condition. Also, the benefits you may receive depend on the stage of your cancer, its impact on your life, and other requirements. To ease the stress of getting disability benefits for cancer, you must educate yourself about it. A nationwide long-term disability claims lawyer can also walk you through your options if you have cancer and want to seek disability benefits.
Does Cancer Qualify for Disability Benefits?
Not all cancer patients suffer from a disability. Indeed, a lot of patients still go to work while they fight their condition. But cancer and cancer treatments can cause debilitating symptoms that can stop you from working. The success of your claim for cancer depends on factors such as your kind and stage of cancer, tumor size and location, your treatment options, the possibility of your cancer spreading to other body parts, how fast or slow the cancer is growing, as well as the insurer’s definition of disability.
As you fight with cancer, ensure you communicate with your doctors and care providers regularly. If you have problems completing everyday tasks at home and work because of weakness, fatigue, or nausea, talk to your doctor about your disability.
Strengthening Your Disability Claim
Cancer is a serious and deadly medical condition, so you may think you won’t have problems getting approved for disability benefits. But this is not always true. In fact, insurance companies will closely scrutinize disability claims related to cancer. If these companies think you have non-disabling symptoms and that you can still work, they may deny your claim. This is the case even if you are terminally ill.
To file a successful long-term disability claim, you must gather information about your cancer diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment protocols. Also, ensure your disability application includes your exact diagnosis and stage of cancer, your symptoms and limitations, and your medical records. These records should include biopsy results, imaging studies, and treatment recommendations. If your cancer gets worse, metastasizes, or doesn’t respond to treatment, update your insurance adjuster or your insurance lawyer. Lastly, ensure you discuss your disability claim with a skilled long-term disability attorney.