Social Security Disability Benefits for Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer (also known as urothelial carcinoma) occurs when abnormal cells grow without limits, usually in the organ’s inner lining. The most common form is transitional cell carcinoma. Bladder cancer symptoms often make it feel like you have a urinary tract infection. These symptoms may include:

• pelvic pain
• blood in urine
• bone pain in the pelvic or rectal area
• swelling of legs
• anemia

While these symptoms may seem easy to spot, most people miss an early diagnosis when treatment is most effective. When you see blood in your urine, see a doctor (preferably a urologist) immediately. In addition, you should request a bladder cancer screening.

What Treatment Options Might Help You?

If your doctor catches it early, you can probably remove enough cancer cells through surgery alone. Otherwise, your doctor may recommend the following treatment options:

• Intravesical therapy
• Radiation
• Chemotherapy
• Radical cystectomy (i.e., surgical bladder removal as well as affected portions of the urethra, surrounding organs and nearby lymph nodes)

Does Bladder Cancer Qualify for Disability Benefits?

You can claim Social Security disability benefits for bladder cancer, depending on your condition’s type and severity. The Social Security Administration (SSA) classifies bladder cancer that’s inoperable, unresectable, or has distinct metastases as “severe.” In fact, it’s included in the agency’s Compassionate Allowance List (CAL), which could get your claim approved and paid out faster. The SSA considers any qualifying medical conditions on the CAL list serious enough for automatic SSD approval. If your cancer’s on the CAL list, you can potentially expect your first payment within weeks instead of months.

The SSA’s Blue Book also lists disability eligibility requirements for people with bladder cancer. You must submit medical evidence showing you closely meet the criteria outlined under section 13.22 urinary bladder – carcinoma:

A. With infiltration beyond the bladder wall

or

B. Recurrent after total cystectomy

or

C. Inoperable or unresectable

or

D. Small-cell (oat cell) carcinoma

Still not sure whether you meet all the above requirements? Don’t worry, you still may qualify for Social Security disability benefits! You just need to submit convincing medical evidence and other required documents along with your application. To ensure you file everything right the first time, we recommend talking to an experienced disability advocate first. But if you’re not sure who to contact, we can match you with someone local that’s available to help you today.

You May Qualify for Legal Assistance

Did you know that applying through a Social Security attorney makes you 3x as likely to get benefits the first time you apply? Those who qualify for legal assistance through our website typically get $12,000 in lump-sum backpay as well as monthly benefits. You can sign up for a free, no-obligation phone call with a local attorney near you today. If you don’t win, then you pay the lawyer $0 for helping you. And if you win, then you’ll only pay a small, one-time fee.

Ready to see if you may qualify? Click the button below to start your free online benefits evaluation now:

Get Your Free Benefits Evaluation