Pittsburgh
Esophageal Cancer Lawyer

On This Page

1. Get Disability Benefits With Esophageal Cancer
2. Getting Disability Based on Your Esophageal Cancer Diagnosis
3. Getting Disability Benefits Through a Compassionate Allowance
4. Avoiding a Technical Denial
5. We Can Help You Fight a Denial
6. Getting Social Security Disability for Esophageal Cancer in Pittsburgh, PA

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

February 02, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Get Disability Benefits With Esophageal Cancer

If you have esophageal cancer and cannot work, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Social Security disability for esophageal cancer can include monthly cash payments from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

The Pittsburgh disability law team from Berger and Green can help you file your claim or file an appeal if the Social Security Administration denied your initial claim. Call us today at 412-661-1400 for a free case review and consultation with a member of our team.

Getting Disability Based on Your Esophageal Cancer Diagnosis

The Social Security Administration lists esophageal cancer as a qualifying impairment in the Blue Book. This listing is Section 13.16 – Cancers of the Esophagus or Stomach. Under this listing, you need to provide medical proof for your carcinoma or sarcoma diagnosis.

When you apply for disability benefits, you must provide contact information for all your doctors. You will also give permission for the disability examiner to access your medical records. To prove you meet the impairment listing criteria, the examiner will look for:

• Documentation of the origin of your cancer
• What parts of your body the cancer affects
• Details about your treatment and its effects
• Notes and information about any operations
• Pathology reports
• Other clinical tests
• Medical imaging documents

We can gather the contact information for all your care providers on your behalf. We recommend talking to your primary care physician about your application as well. A physician can ensure your medical records include all the necessary evidence to prove your claim.

Getting Disability Benefits Through a Compassionate Allowance

Esophageal cancer is one of a few dozen impairments that qualify for the compassionate allowance program. Because it is often a terminal disease, the Social Security Administration offers a way to streamline the application and approval process.

However, an approval is not automatic, even though the staff at the local Social Security field office may recommend your case for “compassionate allowance.” The staff members will still need to ensure you meet all technical qualifications before they forward your claim to the Office of Disability Determination Services.

What the compassionate allowance program does is cut down on your wait time. Your application will be reviewed as quickly as possible. However, Social Security personnel will still need to peruse your medical records to determine your eligibility for benefits.

Avoiding a Technical Denial

You may still get denied, even if your records are in order and you have your application correctly designated for the compassionate allowances program. This can occur before the disability examiner even looks at your medical records and documentation. Some common reasons for technical denials include:

• You have an earned income above the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limits for SSDI
• You do not have enough — or current enough — work credits for SSDI
• You earn too much for SSI
• You have too many assets for SSI

You could also get a technical denial for making basic mistakes on your claim. This may include:

• Leaving some answers blank
• Not completing all paperwork
• Answering questions about your name, birthdate, or Social Security Number incorrectly

When our team helps you file your claim, we will double-check your application to ensure you completed everything correctly. This gives you the best chance of avoiding a technical denial. Call us today at 412-661-1400 to get started.

We Can Help You Fight a Denial

If the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies your claim, it will take more than a year before you get an appeals hearing date. However, an appeal is the best way to fight for the disability benefits you need and deserve.

You only have 60 days from the date on your denial notice to take action. Call us before this deadline so we can request your appeals hearing if time permits and get started on building a case for you. While we wait on the date of your appeals hearing, you can count on us to:

• Investigate why the Social Security Administration did not approve your claim for benefits
• Collect the evidence necessary to prove your diagnosis and impairment
• Collect the proper documentation to prove you meet all technical qualifications
• Represent you before the administrative law judge
• Argue for the cash benefits and back pay you deserve

If we cannot get you approved during the initial appeals hearing, there may be other steps we can take to get the benefits you need and deserve. We will fight to protect your rights and represent your best interests throughout the process. Let us take care of your fight for disability benefits while you spend precious time with your family. Call us today at 412-661-1400 to discuss your appeal with a member of our team.

Getting Social Security Disability for Esophageal Cancer in Pittsburgh, PA

If you cannot work because of esophageal cancer or side effects of your treatment, Berger and Green can help. Our Social Security disability lawyers can file your claim for disability compensation or fight a denial. If you also suffer from other impairments related to injuries sustained in a personal injury accident, we may be able to pursue additional compensation in a civil case.

Call or text us today at 412-661-1400 to learn more about how we can help you get the Pittsburgh, PA disability compensation you need.