Cancer and Social Security Disability
Malignant cancers and the limitations caused by the disease, treatment, and recovery.
Adult Listing 13.00 evaluates malignant cancers primarily by the site and type of the cancer. SSA considers factors including the cancer's origin and extent, the duration and response to anticancer treatment, recurrence or persistence when relevant, and significant effects that remain after treatment. Certain cancers associated with HIV infection are evaluated under Listing 14.11 instead.
Some cancer diagnoses also appear on SSA's current Compassionate Allowances list, which can identify claims for expedited processing. Compassionate Allowances status does not replace the ordinary medical and nonmedical eligibility requirements. The applicable listing and evidence depend on the specific cancer diagnosis and presentation rather than the word “cancer” alone.
Read the cancer overview below, or return to the Disability Conditions Center.
Official SSA resource: Listing 13.00 — Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)
Cancer condition guides
- Cancer
SSA evaluates cancer under site- and type-specific listings in Chapter 13.00, considering the primary site, extent of disease, treatment and response, recurrence or persistence when applicable, and significant residual effects. Some specifically named cancers also qualify for Compassionate Allowances fast-track processing.
- Breast Cancer
SSA evaluates breast cancer under Listing 13.10. Current Compassionate Allowances guidance includes breast cancer with distant metastases or inoperable or recurrent disease. Other breast-cancer claims are evaluated under the applicable listing criteria and, when necessary, the lasting effects of the disease and treatment.
- Lung Cancer
SSA evaluates lung cancer under Listing 13.14. Small-cell carcinoma follows Listing 13.14B, while qualifying non-small-cell disease is evaluated under 13.14A. SSA's current Compassionate Allowances guidance contains entries for both small-cell and non-small-cell lung cancer; the medical evidence still determines whether the applicable disability criteria are satisfied.
- Pancreatic Cancer
SSA evaluates pancreatic carcinoma under Listing 13.20. Pancreatic cancer appears on the current Compassionate Allowances list. Islet-cell carcinoma has a narrower listing pathway. A diagnosis still requires medical evidence.
- Lymphoma and Leukemia
SSA evaluates lymphoma under Listing 13.05 and leukemia under Listing 13.06. SSA's current Compassionate Allowances list includes Adult Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Acute Leukemia, and other specifically named blood cancers. The applicable listing analysis depends on the exact diagnosis, treatment course, response, relapse history, and transplant status.
- Colon Cancer
Listing 13.18 covers cancers of the large intestine from the ileocecal valve through the anal canal. Inoperable, unresectable, recurrent, distant-metastatic, or small-cell disease may meet the listing. Localized, successfully resected cancer does not automatically.
- Blood Disorders
Adult Listing 7.00 addresses nonmalignant hematological disorders, including hemolytic anemias, disorders of thrombosis and hemostasis, bone marrow failure, hematological transplantation, and repeated complications. Malignant blood cancers are generally evaluated under Listing 13.00, with specified HIV-associated lymphomas evaluated under Listing 14.11.
- Chronic Liver Disease
Listing 5.05 evaluates chronic liver disease by documented complications such as variceal bleeding, ascites, peritonitis, hepatorenal or hepatopulmonary syndrome, encephalopathy, or specified SSA CLD scores. A cirrhosis label is not an approval.
- HIV
SSA evaluates HIV infection under Listing 14.11 through several pathways involving specified manifestations, laboratory findings, hospitalizations, or repeated manifestations with the required functional limitation. If the listing is not met, SSA considers the documented effects of HIV and treatment through the remaining disability evaluation.
Speak with a Social Security Disability attorney
Brock & Stout can review a Social Security Disability claim, look for missing medical evidence, and discuss next steps. If we represent you, you do not owe attorney fees or case costs if the claim is denied.
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This page is general educational information about Social Security Disability as of the date of this publication. It is not legal or medical advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not guarantee results. Eligibility depends on individual facts and current Social Security rules.
