A diagnosis of cancer is perhaps the most feared diagnosis and greatest health fear for most Americans. There are over 1 million diagnoses each year in the United States, with many victims left unable to work as a result of their illness and treatment. If cancer is preventing you from working, it is crucial to discuss your situation with an experienced Social Security Disability attorney.
At Crowe & Shanahan in St. Louis, we work closely with cancer victims throughout eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. Our lawyers will provide you with the one-on-one representation you need as you pursue the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits you are entitled to.
We focus our practice on clients right here in the St. Louis area. To speak with a St. Louis cancer disability attorney who will treat you as a person — not just another case file number — please call 314-231-6660.
While your disability as a result of cancer or cancer treatment does not have to be permanent, you will have to be unable to work for 12 continuous months in order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Also, if you are disabled for at least a year and are then able to return to work, you can still get back pay for your “closed period” of disability.
Cancer is usually diagnosed when a tumor is felt or other medical examinations indicate signs of potential cancer. Just figuring out your diagnosis, which can involve X-rays, MRIs, laboratory tests or biopsies, can prove quite expensive. Treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy and prescription medications can also add up. This is where SSD benefits can provide a crucial lifeline if cancer is keeping you out of work.
From your initial consultation forward, we will work with you and your doctor to determine what is in your best interests and work diligently to secure the full disability benefits you are entitled to. Our lawyers can help you no matter what type of cancer you are suffering from, including brain cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and ovarian cancer.
Cancer-related SSD claims involve a lot of moving parts, and it’s common to have questions about how the process works and what to expect. Below, our law firm addresses some of the questions we hear most often from cancer patients and their families in St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois.
No. A cancer diagnosis alone doesn’t automatically qualify you for Social Security Disability benefits. However, it does carry significant weight in the SSA’s evaluation process. In its evaluation process, the SSA considers factors like the type of cancer, its stage and severity, how it responds to treatment, and how it limits your ability to work. Claims involving some cancers may be approved more quickly through the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances program. No matter where you are in the process, an attorney can help you build the strongest possible case for approval.
The SSA’s Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program identifies medical conditions so severe that they clearly meet disability standards. The SSA fast-tracks approval for claims involving those conditions. Many cancer diagnoses qualify, including certain cancers that are inoperable, have metastasized, or have recurred after treatment. If your cancer is on the CAL list, the SSA may approve your claim in a matter of weeks rather than months. Not all cancers qualify, though, so it’s worth discussing your specific diagnosis with an SSD lawyer who can tell you whether your claim may be eligible for this accelerated review.
Yes. Remission doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from receiving SSD benefits. The SSA will look at the full picture of your health when evaluating your claim. This includes how long you’ve been in remission, the likelihood of recurrence, and any lasting physical or cognitive effects from your cancer or its treatment. If your treatment left you with chronic fatigue or other conditions that still prevent you from working, those ongoing limitations will factor into your claim. An attorney can help you document the full impact of your illness and make sure the SSA has a complete understanding of how it affects your daily life.
SSD and SSI are both federal disability programs, but they work differently. SSD benefits are based on your work history. To qualify, you must have earned enough work credits through years of paying Social Security taxes on your income. SSI, on the other hand, is a needs-based program for people with limited income and assets. You can qualify for SSI regardless of work history. Some people qualify for both. The right program for you depends on your specific financial and employment background. A disability law firm can review your situation and determine which benefits you could be entitled to receive.
You may be able to work part-time and still receive SSD benefits, but there are limits. The SSA uses a “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) threshold to determine whether your earnings are too high for you to qualify for benefits. As of 2026, the SGA limit is $1,690 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,830 for blind applicants. If you earn above that amount in a given month, the SSA may consider you not disabled. If you’re thinking about working part-time during treatment, talk to your attorney first for details about how your income could affect your claim or your current benefits.
Yes. The SSA doesn’t only look at your cancer diagnosis itself. It also considers how treatment side effects limit your ability to function. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can cause severe fatigue, pain, nausea, cognitive difficulties, and mobility issues, all of which can make it difficult or impossible to maintain employment. You should document these side effects thoroughly through your medical records and, if possible, through statements from your treating physicians to strengthen your claim.
To schedule an appointment with a dedicated Social Security Disability lawyer, contact us online today. Or, you can call us at 314-231-6660.
We take pride in the strong professional and personal relationships we build with each client. You will meet with the attorney early on and that same attorney will be with you throughout the process. You can rely on us to give you honest advice about your options because this is the right thing to do.
As your advocates, we will remain by your side throughout the process, developing a strategy that fits your specific circumstances. Your legal and financial issues are unique, so we tailor our advice according to your situation. Many individuals and families have benefited from this legal approach.
