Last Updated September 17, 2026
Conditions Center · Cancer · Social Security Disability
Also called non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, acute leukemia, chronic leukemia.
Lymphoma and leukemia can support SSDI or SSI under Listings 13.05 and 13.06, through named Compassionate Allowances when they apply, or through residual effects of chemotherapy and transplant. The precise histology and treatment response control the analysis. “Blood cancer” is too broad. A first-line course of therapy that puts indolent lymphoma into remission often does not meet 13.05.
What is Lymphoma and Leukemia?
NCI describes lymphomas as cancers of the lymphatic system (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin) and leukemias as cancers of blood-forming tissues. Acute leukemias progress quickly; chronic leukemias may be present for years. Treatment can include chemoimmunotherapy, targeted drugs, radiation, CAR T-cell therapy, or stem-cell transplantation. T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma is treated like acute leukemia and is evaluated under 13.06.
Common symptoms of Lymphoma and Leukemia
- Fatigue, fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss
- Enlarged lymph nodes, spleen, or liver in some lymphomas
- Infections, bleeding, or anemia from marrow involvement or treatment
- Neuropathy, mucositis, or graft-versus-host disease after intensive therapy
- Need for frequent laboratory monitoring and clinic visits
How can Lymphoma and Leukemia affect a person’s ability to work?
- Absences for infusion, radiation, transplant, and laboratory monitoring
- Reduced stamina and infection precautions during cytopenias
- Hand or walking limits from treatment neuropathy
- Off-task time from fatigue, nausea, or brain-fog after therapy
- Isolation or remote-work limits that still may not constitute SGA if attendance fails
Does Social Security have a Listing for Lymphoma and Leukemia?
Social Security currently has listing criteria that may apply: 13.05 (Lymphoma); 13.06 (Leukemia). Meeting a listing requires the specific medical findings in that listing, not only the diagnosis.
Listing 13.05 covers lymphoma (including mycosis fungoides) but excludes T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, which is evaluated under 13.06. Pathways include aggressive NHL persistent or recurrent after initial therapy, indolent lymphoma requiring more than one treatment regimen within 12 months, Hodgkin lymphoma that fails to achieve complete remission or recurs within 12 months, bone-marrow or stem-cell transplantation (disability until at least 12 months from transplant), and mantle-cell lymphoma. Listing 13.06 covers acute leukemia (disability until at least 24 months from diagnosis or relapse, or 12 months from transplant, whichever is later) and specified CML phases. CLL complications may be evaluated under 13.05A2 or hematological listings in 7.00.
SSA matches histology to Listing 13.05 or 13.06, including time-limited disability after transplant or acute leukemia. CAL may apply to named conditions such as acute leukemia or adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma. If the listing period ends, SSA evaluates residual impairments under the affected body system or RFC. Indolent disease that never requires a second regimen may be an RFC case.
Can you qualify if you do not meet an SSA Listing?
Yes. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia or treated Hodgkin disease that does not meet 13.05 or 13.06 may still preclude work during intensive therapy or from residual impairments.
What medical evidence may help document Lymphoma and Leukemia?
- Pathology and immunophenotype or cytogenetics
- Oncology staging and a complete treatment calendar
- Transplant records and dates
- Response assessments (PET, bone marrow, or molecular residual disease when used)
- Records of neuropathy, heart, lung, or graft-versus-host complications
Testing, imaging, and laboratory studies
- Lymph-node or marrow pathology
- Flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and molecular studies used for classification
- Serial blood counts during treatment
A change of therapy because of failure to achieve stability can matter under 13.05A2; a change solely by preference does not. Dates of diagnosis, relapse, and transplant control the listing clocks in 13.05C and 13.06.
How SSA may evaluate residual functional capacity
After a listing period ends, RFC should address lasting cytopenias, neuropathy, fatigue, and infection risk—not only “in remission.”
Common issues that can weaken a disability claim involving Lymphoma and Leukemia
Calling every lymphoma a CAL condition; omitting pathology; or alleging listing-level disease after documented complete remission without residual limits.
What may strengthen the medical documentation
Pathology, a regimen-by-regimen timeline, transplant dates, and current treatment-toxicity notes.
Lymphoma and Leukemia and related medical conditions
- 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.
- 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.
- Peripheral Neuropathy — Damage to peripheral nerves that may cause pain, numbness, weakness, or balance problems. Listing 11.14 applies only when its specified functional criteria are met.
- Sickle Cell Disease — SSA evaluates sickle cell disease under Listing 7.05 as a hemolytic anemia. Specified crises, hospitalizations, or hemoglobin findings can meet the listing; other cases are decided on complications and RFC.
How Brock & Stout may help
We map histology onto 13.05 or 13.06, verify named CAL entries, and develop RFC for treatment or residual effects. Representation cannot guarantee approval.
Frequently asked questions
No. Adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma and some other named hematologic cancers appear on the current CAL list. Verify the exact diagnosis. Hodgkin disease in remission is not automatically a CAL condition.
Listing 13.06A considers the person under a disability until at least 24 months from diagnosis or relapse, or at least 12 months from bone-marrow or stem-cell transplantation, whichever is later. Thereafter SSA evaluates residual impairments.
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Speak with a Social Security Disability attorney
If Lymphoma and Leukemia is affecting your ability to work, Brock & Stout can review the 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.
