Social Security Disability for Mesothelioma

Social Security runs two disability programs. Social Security Disability Insurance, known as SSDI, is based on your work history. You must have worked long enough and recently enough in jobs covered by Social Security to qualify, and the monthly amount depends on your past earnings. Supplemental Security Income, known as SSI, is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Some people qualify for both. Family members, such as a spouse or dependent children, may also be eligible for benefits based on an SSDI recipient's record. If you have already reached full retirement age, you would generally receive retirement benefits rather than SSDI, so the application route may differ.

Social Security's Compassionate Allowances program identifies serious conditions that clearly meet its disability standards, allowing claims to be flagged and decided more quickly. Malignant mesothelioma is on that list. To benefit, the application must clearly state the diagnosis and include medical evidence that confirms it, such as the pathology report and oncology records. The program speeds up the decision, but it does not remove the basic requirements. SSDI applicants still need enough work credits, and SSI applicants must still meet the income and resource limits. Claims are reviewed by a state agency that makes disability decisions for Social Security, and that agency may contact your doctors for records, so accurate contact information is important.

You can apply online, by phone or at a local Social Security office. The application asks about your medical condition, the doctors and hospitals treating you, your medicines and tests, and the jobs you held in recent years. Use the exact diagnosis, malignant mesothelioma, wherever the form asks about conditions. List every treating doctor and facility with full addresses and phone numbers, and give the dates you were seen. Upload or send the pathology report, recent oncology notes and imaging reports if you can, since this can shorten the wait for records. Give an accurate date for when you stopped working because of your illness. Keep copies of everything submitted and note your confirmation number.

Even with faster review, benefits do not start immediately. SSDI has a waiting period of five full months from the date Social Security determines your disability began, so the first payment usually covers the sixth month. SSI does not have this waiting period. SSDI recipients generally become eligible for Medicare after receiving disability benefits for 24 months, although people over 65 may already have Medicare. SSI recipients often qualify for Medicaid, depending on the state. Because of these delays, applying as soon as you stop working is important. Once approved, Social Security will send a notice explaining your monthly amount and start date. Check it carefully and contact them promptly if anything seems wrong.

Social Security disability is a federal benefit, separate from asbestos trust claims, lawsuits and VA benefits, and people often receive several of these at once. However, interactions can occur. Some employer long-term disability policies reduce their payments by the amount of Social Security received, so check your policy. SSI, being need-based, can be affected by other income and assets, including some compensation payments, so people receiving SSI should get advice before accepting a settlement. Workers' compensation or certain public disability benefits may also reduce SSDI in some cases. Tell your attorney and any financial adviser about all benefits you receive, so settlements and benefit reporting are handled correctly and nothing is lost unnecessarily.