Cancer and Social Security Disability
Malignant cancers and the limitations caused by the disease, treatment, and recovery.
Cancer claims can involve the tumor itself, metastases, and the functional effects of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy. Adult Listing 13.00 organizes malignant neoplastic diseases by site and type. Some cancers and related conditions also appear on the current Compassionate Allowances list; that status must be verified against SSA’s current CAL list for the specific diagnosis.
A general cancer page cannot replace a site-specific listing. Use it as an overview, then follow the official listing for the cancer involved.
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
Cancer is evaluated under site- and type-specific listings in Chapter 13.00. A general cancer diagnosis is not one listing, and CAL status must be checked for the exact malignancy.
- Breast Cancer
SSA evaluates breast cancer under Listing 13.10. Some distant, inoperable, or recurrent cases appear on the current Compassionate Allowances list; verify the exact presentation.
- Lung Cancer
SSA evaluates lung cancer under Listing 13.14. Small-cell carcinoma and some non-small-cell presentations also appear on the current Compassionate Allowances list; verify the exact histology and extent.
- 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. Some named blood cancers appear on the current CAL list; indolent or well-controlled disease is not automatically a CAL condition.
- HIV
SSA evaluates documented HIV infection under Listing 14.11. A positive test is not an approval. The listing requires specified manifestations or repeated complications with marked functional limits.
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. We do not charge a fee for SSD representation unless we win.
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.
