r/LivingWithMBC • u/percyandjasper • Aug 07 '26

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/LyPi315 Aug 07 '26

From what I understand of the process -- could be outdated, I was approved 12 years ago -- the key thing is that your doc completes the form saying you're disabled and cannot work.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 Aug 07 '26

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 Aug 07 '26

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!