If you have been diagnosed with Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma and you can’t work any longer, but you have worked in the past, you are eligible to apply for Social Security disability benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. So long as you expect that you will not be able to work for at least a year, you can apply for disability benefits. The money from disability benefits can be used for living expenses like housing, utilities, food, or to pay your mortgage if you own a home.
What is Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma?
Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. If you worked in a job where you were routinely exposed to asbestos you may have developed Sarcoid Mesothelioma as a result of that exposure. This cancer has cells that have a unique spindle shape and they grow in connective tissue ells and epithelial cells. Sarcoid Mesothelioma typically occurs in multiple organs at once like the kidneys, uterus, and lungs.
Because this cancer is very serious and spreads rapidly, it qualifies for the Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowance program. There are dozens of conditions that qualify for fast-processing through the Compassionate Allowance program, including many cancers like Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma.
What Is A Compassionate Allowance?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes that people who have very serious, or terminal, medical conditions are unable to wait while their applications for benefits go through the usual channels and waiting period to receive benefits. As such, when any disability benefits application that is for a condition that’s on the SSA’s Compassionate Allowance list gets submitted to the SSA, it will get flagged for faster processing. That means that approvals for applications for conditions on the Compassionate Allowance list are given out by the SSA faster and the benefits are paid out to these recipients significantly quicker. Oftentimes, people start receiving benefits in just weeks after their application’s approval if they have a Compassionate Allowance condition.
When you submit an application for disability benefits you will have to submit medical evidence showing that you meet the requirements for that condition in the SSA’s Blue Book. You must meet the condition in the Blue Book for approval. For Sarcoid Mesothelioma the Blue Book requirements are that you must have:
A. Malignant mesothelioma of pleura.
OR
B. Tumors of the mediastinum, as described in 1 or 2:
- With metastases to or beyond the regional lymph nodes.
- Persistent or recurrent following initial anticancer therapy.
OR
C. Small-cell (oat cell) carcinoma.
You should submit a letter of diagnosis with your application for disability benefits as well as your medical records that are related to Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma. It’s also a good idea to submit things like biopsies, X-rays, blood tests. MRIs, and PET scans.
Get Help With Your Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Claim
You are allowed to have help filling out the application for Social Security disability benefits. If you need help with the application or you have questions about what medical evidence you should include talking to an attorney is a good idea. Attorneys that specialize in disability cases can help you fill out the application and decide what medical evidence you should include. Complete the Free Case Evaluation on this page to get connected with an independent, participating attorney who subscribes to the website.
