If you work in America you pay for Social Security Disability Insurance. I paid this tax for years before I had any idea of what it was or how important it was
I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM) in February of 1994. The costs of fighting MM or living with MM can be overwhelming. Surgeries, biopsies, imaging scans, lab work, pathology reports, and other diagnostic, treatment, and monitoring costs pile u
If you work in America you pay for Social Security Disability Insurance. Part of your paycheck goes to pay for your SSDI each and every pay period.
I paid this tax for years before I had any idea of what it was or how important it was. Though I didn’t file for disability insurance for several years after my initial MM diagnosis, once I did file I was awarded a monthly pay check.
While the income from my SSDI is limited, it helps pay the bills. Learn more about SSDI eligibility.
I sold my life insurance policy to a viatical settlement company. That money really helps too. This is another issue entirely. Scroll down the page, post a question if you would like to learn more.
The fact is managing the financial side of a MM diagnosis can be essential to your spouse and family.
I am both a multiple myeloma survivor and MM cancer coach. If you would like help in figuring out the financial costs of cancer please scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.
Thank you,
David Emerson
- Multiple Myeloma Survivor
- MM Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
Recommended Reading:
“Your Multiple Myeloma Disability Case–
If you have been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and have been unable to work either because of the disease or because of the impact the treatment has had on you, then it is possible that you could qualify to receive Social Security Disability benefits. In order to minimize the chance of having your case be delayed by a lengthy appeal, it is strongly recommended that you consult with an experienced Social Security Disability attorney.
“While cancer is a disability regardless of how long it puts you out of work, only some people will qualify for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). This is because Social Security disability eligibility requires you have a terminal illness or a disability that has or will prevent you from working for at least 12 months. If you are able to qualify though, disability benefits can help you meet your everyday living expenses as well as cover medical bills, prescription costs, and other healthcare expenses…
“Mon Jul 1, 2013 8:51 am (PDT) .Here is the listing of qualifying impairments on the SSA website. “Generally" speaking, metastatic cancer automatically qualifies. COMPLETE medical records (which clearly spell this out) are needed…..I CANNOT stress this enough!!
The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other programs. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability.
“Disability” under Social Security is based on your inability to work. We consider you disabled under Social Security rules if:
- You cannot do work that you did before;
- We decide that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s); and
- Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.
In her book about radical cancer remissions, Dr. Kelly Turner lists nine commonalities among cancer patients who defied the odds given to them by their oncologists. I blogged about the book and the ideas presented and I came to the conclusion that the list of nine that Dr. Turner cites are essential to those of us with aggressive cancers. I firmly believe that my disability payments helped me focus on the nine issues below.
To be clear, the list of nine isn’t easy. These life changes or what cancer survivors sometimes call “the new normal” takes a lot of time and focus. Please notice that there is NOTHING about conventional oncology on the list.
- The patients radically changed their diets,
- took control of their health,
- followed their intuition,
- used herbs and supplements,
- released suppressed emotions,
- increased positive emotions,
- embraced social support,
- deepened their spiritual connection,
- and had strong reasons for living.
If you are wondering about your cancer as a disability click the link below to read the many issues to consider going on disability.
13.00 Malignant Neoplastic Diseases – Adult
An diagnosis of a cancer at an advanced stage or a diagnosis of an aggressive cancer requires all of your focus. Consider disability payments as one of the tools needed to live a long and full life with cancer.
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