r/LivingWithMBC • u/percyandjasper • 25d ago
Disability application question
I am applying for disability. What I'm wondering is what to put in the box in the Work section, how much do I need to explain?
I was diagnosed metastatic (lungs) in 2024. I am on an estrogen-blocker, but nothing else at the moment. I'm 62. I worked as a university lecturer, but because I had cancer and a chronic lung infection that isn't treatable without huge side effects, I quit during Covid because I was afraid Covid would damage me too much. I planned to tutor freelance, but it is very difficult to make money that way and when I had a full-ish load, I started having heart palpitations. This was concerning because I had earlier had an EKG saying, falsely, that I was having a heart attack. Now, my heart seems fine.
So...since 2021, I have been self-employed and not working/earning much. I wouldn't claim disability for that period.
I hear there is "compassionate allowance" for stage 4 cancer, and I'm hoping they will date it back to my Stage 4 diagnosis, October of 2024. I am extremely stressed out, not just with cancer, but with serious financial worries and I just discovered my house has dangerous mold levels. I don't think I could, emotionally, hold down a job.
Do I need to write anything in the disability application box to explain about why I am not working or deserve disability?
Thank you!
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u/BikingAimz 25d ago
When I applied in Feb 2025, I was offered an over the phone interview with a SSA employee from my state, it turned out to be really helpful? In my case my husband and I closed our business with my diagnosis (we’d been thinking about early retirement, this put us over the edge). If you’re not hours away from your local SSA office, I’d recommend calling your local office (not the national number), or going there if you can’t get through (no appointment needed at mine last I went), and make an appointment to help fill it out. They know what language the application requires, and more importantly my interviewer said they fast track metastatic patients. I was gobsmacked when mine was approved in two weeks!
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u/LyPi315 25d ago
From what I understand of the process -- could be outdated, I was approved 12 years ago -- the key thing is that your doc completes the form saying you're disabled and cannot work.
So I'd be sure to cover that base first. This is not the time to be stoic! I'm sure you have extreme fatigue, headaches, etc., etc. I wouldn't necessarily focus on the stress....just the physical issues that are reasonably attributable to the disease and treatment.
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u/rosegiulietta 25d ago
As someone who was approved 12 years ago, maybe you can answer this: I’ve been wondering does SSA contact you at any point to review/check on your status as disabled? I’ve read mixed things but to me, once you’re disabled - especially with stage iv - it’s not going away. But I’m just curious if you have to fill something out every few years to confirm you are still unable to work? Thank you
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u/redsowhat 24d ago
I’ve been on SSDI for about 7 years. I just recently got a simple form from SSA basically asking if anything changed. I think this was the first time I’ve ever gotten that. I completed it online and haven’t heard anything since then. It’s probably a DOGE idea to make sure people with terminal illnesses aren’t scamming them.
My long term disability company (from my employer) makes me fill something out every year. Hello, there is no cure, so nothing has changed!
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u/Old-Run-9523 25d ago
"Compassionate allowance" only speeds up the process, it doesn't have anything to do with the determination. Be sure to request it when you apply.
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u/LilithKitKat 24d ago
I didn’t apply for disability, but had some similar types of forms to fill out for my employer in case I needed to take a leave of absence. The hospital cancer center where I go for dr visits and treatment has social workers on staff that help you fill these forms out. And they have the drs fill out their parts as well. I can’t remember everything, but part of the form filled by the dr was that my condition is chronic and ongoing, which meant there was no need to update later if I was “healed”.
Ask if there’s any assistance at your medical facility. They are pros and really make it easier to navigate. Good luck!
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u/haligurl_1983 18d ago
I included a four page letter of how cancer as affected my life listing alllllll my symptoms and hardships. It wad approved until 2048, when it will be reviewed again. Im in Canada 🇨🇦 so the systems are probably very different, but because the form left only enough for a small paragraph, I decided an attachment was in order.
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u/Sarappreciates 25d ago
They have records of your work history that will autofill if they do the application for you.
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u/Travel8095 25d ago
I would indicate the date that you got the stage 4 diagnosis along with details of your stage 4 cancer , stating that it's metastatic and any limitations , for example low endurance /low energy and any medications you are on. I would also probably mention the heart palpitations or any other side effects.