Qualifying for Disability Benefits (SSDI) with Leukemia in New Jersey

Leukemia is a form of cancer that affects bone marrow and the lymphatic system, both of which impact the health of white blood cells and the production of blood. Symptoms can include chronic fatigue, easy bleeding and bruising, bone pain and tenderness, skin rashes, and more, all of which can significantly impact an individual’s ability to go to work to earn a living. For disabilities such as leukemia, the Social Security Administration offers Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits that help those who are unable to pay for daily expenses such as rent, groceries, and clothing.
To learn more about how you can use the help of the experienced Social Security disability lawyers at Young Marr & Associates to file an application for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits in New Jersey, call (215) 701-6519.

Eligibility Requirements for SSDI with Leukemia in New Jersey

To be eligible to receive benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance in New Jersey, you must meet requirements regarding the income you generate and the length and severity of your medical condition.
The income requirement maintained by the Social Security Administration prohibits incomes that exceed a certain amount. Incomes that are above a certain amount are known as “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) and disqualify applicants from being able to receive SSDI benefits. In 2019, income that exceeds $1,220 per month is considered SGA. Applicants who are blind are subject to a limit that is higher, $2,040 per month, and income limits are different for small business owners.
Applicants for SSDI are only eligible for benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance if they have conditions that are considered by the Social Security Administration to be severe. The SSA only recognizes a condition as being severe if it prevents an individual from working and earning a living. The impairment or disability at the time that the individual applies must have already affected the individual for at least 12 months consecutively or be expected to affect the individual for 12 consecutive months in the future. A condition also qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits if it is expected to result in death.
Each eligible condition must meet a certain level of severity to qualify an applicant for SSDI benefits. These severity requirements are explained in the Listing of Impairments (also referred to as the “Blue Book”). This book is used by the Social Security Administration’s medical examiners to determine which candidates for benefits meet the standards of severity. It has different standards for adults and children.
According to the Listing of Impairments, all types of leukemia are eligible for benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance; this includes acute leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Being approved to receive SSDI benefits for all of these types of leukemia will require providing documented evidence of the condition.
In the Listing of Impairments, leukemia is listed under cancers. When considering whether an individual with cancer qualifies for SSDA benefits, officials at the Social Security Administration consider four factors: the origin of the malignancy; the extent of involvement; the duration, frequency, and response to hormone therapy and chemotherapy; and residual post-therapeutic effects.

Applying for SSDI Benefits for Leukemia in New Jersey

Individuals that would like to apply for SSDI benefits for their leukemia can do so in one of three ways. They may apply in person at the Social Security Administration offices, on the Social Security Administration’s website, or calling the Social Security Administration’s offices on the phone.
When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, applicants will need to provide detailed information about the different aspects of their medical treatment, including the drugs they take and the dosage of each medication, their radiation therapy schedule, information about any surgeries they have undergone, and the symptoms experienced as a result of their therapy. Applicants will also need to provide their birth certificate and Social Security Number.
It takes between 3 and 5 months to receive a response regarding approval or denial of an application from the Social Security Administration. If your application has been approved, you will receive an award letter that will tell you the amount that you can expect to receive. If your application has been denied, you will receive a letter that alerts you to your denial and explains the reason why your application was rejected.
Most SSDI application denials are issued because the applicant’s condition was not severe enough to match the standards issued in the Listing of Impairments. Denials may also be issued because an applicant has a major technical error on their application or earns too much income. If an applicant is denied benefits the first time they apply, they are still able to file an appeal.
Individuals who are interested in filing an application for SSDI benefits should know that the help of a social security disability attorney greatly increases their chances of having their application approved. Attorneys who have experience filing applications for SSDI know the specific information to include to convince officials at the Social Security Administration to approve your claim.

New Jersey Social Security Disability Attorneys Available for SSDI Claims

If you are interested in learning more about how you can successfully file for SSDI benefits for leukemia with the help of an attorney, get in touch with Young Marr & Associates as soon as possible. They can put their decades of experience to use to assist you in putting together an SSDI application that has a high chance of being accepted. Call their offices at (215) 701-6519 today.