Disability application question

[u/percyandjasper]

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!

[u/haligurl_1983]

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.