Leukemia and Social Security Disability Benefits

Lawyer for Social Security Disability Benefits Applications Serving Northern Illinois

What Is Leukemia?

Leukemia is cancer of the blood or bone marrow. There are many forms of leukemia, but one thing they have in common is an abnormal production of blood cells. Leukemia is a very serious and potentially fatal disease. If you or someone you knows suffers from leukemia and want to see if you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits, contact Pearson Disability Law, LLC at 312-999-0999.

Can I Get Social Security Disability Benefits If I Suffer From Leukemia?

Leukemia is absolutely recognized by the Social Security Administration! If leukemia is preventing you from working for at least 12 months, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits (whether SSDI or SSI). When you apply for disability benefits with leukemia, the Social Security Administration will first determine whether your condition is severe enough to meet a listing. If you meet a listing you will be found disabled. If you do not meet a listing, the Social Security Administration will then evaluate your residual functional capacity (the most work that you can do despite your medical condition(s)).

Is There A Specific Listing For Leukemia?

The Social Security Administration recognizes leukemia under Listing of Impairments 13.06: Leukemia, which can be found on the Social Security Administration website. However, because most of the listing is structured using medical terminology, it can be quite difficult to know whether you will meet the leukemia listing. If you or a family member suffers from leukemia and cannot work and want to know more about whether you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits (either SSDI or SSI), contact our attorneys now.

If I Do Not Meet The Listing, Is There Another Way To Get Social Security Disability Benefits?

Yes! If you do not meet Listing 13.06 and leukemia is preventing you from working, you may still qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

The Social Security Administration will proceed with your case by evaluating your Residual Functional Capacity. To do this, the Administration will determine the most amount of work that you can do despite your limitations. They do this by dividing “work” into four different categories: heavy, medium, light, and sedentary. It is worth noting that there is sometimes a fifth category that is recognized for very heavy work; however, very heavy work is scarcely used. Whether a claimant wins his or her disability claim is greatly affected by which category he or she is ultimately put into. Being put into a lower category increases the likelihood that a claim is approved for Social Security disability benefits.