Lung cancer is a leading killer of both men and women in southern California. It causes more deaths than colon cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer combined. In fact, lung cancer accounts for 27 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States. If you are diagnosed with lung cancer, you should apply for Social Security disability benefits. Disability benefits are paid to workers who are unable to work due to a physical or mental disability. Depending on the stage of the cancer, your application may be expedited for review by the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you are diagnosed with lung cancer, an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability attorney can help you apply for and fight for the benefits you need and deserve.
A claim can be expedited in two ways. If your condition is terminal or expected to end in death, your case can be flagged for immediate processing. With supporting medical evidence from your doctor and the help of an experienced disability lawyer, it may only take a few weeks for a decision to be made. The second way a claim may be expedited is if it meets a “compassionate allowance.” The only real difference is that a compassionate allowance claim does not require your condition to be terminal. Compassionate allowances are exclusively for conditions severe enough to require expedited handling and approval. The SSA has deemed non-small cell lung cancer to be one of those severe conditions. You’ll need to submit a pathology report and an operative report to support your diagnosis.
If you do not qualify for a compassionate allowance, you may still be approved for disability benefits if your cancer is inoperable or has metastasized. Again, you’ll need a pathology report or at least a letter from your doctor explaining your condition. If you’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer in the Los Angeles area, disability payments can substantially ease your financial burden. Don’t wait another day to contact an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability attorney.