Last Updated September 17, 2026
Conditions Center · Cancer · Social Security Disability
Also called pancreas carcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Pancreatic cancer can support SSDI or SSI under Listing 13.20 and may also receive expedited Compassionate Allowances processing when the diagnosis matches SSA's current guidance. Listing 13.20 treats pancreatic carcinoma differently from islet-cell carcinoma, so pathology and tumor type matter. SSA also considers treatment effects and any lasting functional limitations when necessary.
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
NCI describes pancreatic cancer as a disease in which malignant cells form in pancreas tissues. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most common type and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Treatment may include surgery (when resectable), chemotherapy, radiation, or palliative care. Islet-cell tumors behave differently and may secrete hormones.
Common symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer
- Abdominal or back pain, weight loss, or jaundice
- Nausea, poor appetite, or new diabetes in some people
- Fatigue and treatment-related neuropathy or cytopenias
- Hormone-related symptoms from some islet-cell tumors
- Effects of biliary obstruction or pancreatic enzyme insufficiency
How can Pancreatic Cancer affect a person’s ability to work?
- Absences for surgery, infusion, radiation, and procedures
- Reduced lifting and endurance from pain, malnutrition, or recovery
- Off-task time from nausea, diarrhea, or enzyme-related restroom needs
- Infection precautions during myelosuppressive therapy
- Need for additional rest or hazard restrictions when severe fatigue or medication side effects are documented
Does Social Security have a Listing for Pancreatic Cancer?
Social Security currently has listing criteria that may apply: 13.20 (Pancreas). Meeting a listing requires the specific medical findings in that listing, not only the diagnosis.
Listing 13.20A covers carcinoma of the pancreas except islet-cell carcinoma. Listing 13.20B covers islet-cell carcinoma that is physiologically active and either inoperable or unresectable. After a pancreas transplant, Listing 5.12 considers disability for one year from the date of transplant, then residual impairments.
SSA applies Listing 13.20 to the documented histology. Ordinary pancreatic carcinoma meets 13.20A. Physiologically active inoperable or unresectable islet-cell carcinoma may meet 13.20B. CAL processing can identify pancreatic-cancer claims quickly. If a listing is not met, RFC addresses treatment and residual effects. A pancreas transplant is evaluated under Listing 5.12 for the first year.
Pancreatic Cancer appears on SSA's current Compassionate Allowances list under POMS DI 23022.265, which can expedite claim processing. The medical record should identify the specific tumor type because Listing 13.20A covers pancreatic carcinoma other than islet-cell carcinoma, while Listing 13.20B applies only to physiologically active islet-cell carcinoma that is inoperable or unresectable.
Can you qualify if you do not meet an SSA Listing?
Yes. If a pancreatic neuroendocrine or islet-cell tumor does not meet Listing 13.20B, SSA still considers treatment effects and any remaining work-related limitations through the rest of the sequential evaluation process, including residual functional capacity when applicable.
What medical evidence may help document Pancreatic Cancer?
- Pathology identifying carcinoma versus islet-cell tumor
- Oncology staging, resectability, and treatment plan
- Operative and imaging reports
- Nutrition, pain, and treatment-toxicity notes
- Records of biliary stents, enzymes, or diabetes related to the cancer
Testing, imaging, and laboratory studies
- Pathology and immunohistochemistry
- CT, MRI, or endoscopic ultrasound used for staging
- Tumor markers interpreted with the clinical picture, not as a standalone listing
Dates of diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and progression belong in one timeline. Unresectable or recurrent disease should be explicit.
How SSA may evaluate residual functional capacity
During active treatment, residual functional capacity may need to account for treatment schedules, recovery time, fatigue, pain, nutrition, medication effects, and attendance. After treatment, SSA considers any lasting impairments, including residual pain, malnutrition, diabetes, neuropathy, or other documented effects.
Common issues that can weaken a disability claim involving Pancreatic Cancer
A claim may be harder to evaluate accurately when pathology or tumor type is unclear, when the treatment course is poorly documented, or when the evidence does not clearly identify the lasting effects of the cancer and its treatment.
What may strengthen the medical documentation
Pathology, a resectability statement, and a complete oncology timeline.
Pancreatic Cancer and related medical conditions
- 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.
- Chronic Kidney Disease — Current Listing 6.00 includes separate pathways for ongoing dialysis, kidney transplant, impaired kidney function with complications, and repeated CKD hospitalizations.
- 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.
- Diabetes — Diabetes has no standalone adult listing. SSA evaluates its documented effects on other body systems and the combined functional limits those complications cause.
- Major Depressive Disorder — Persistent depressive symptoms may be evaluated under Listing 12.04. A diagnosis does not guarantee benefits; SSA also examines severity, duration, and work-related function.
How Brock & Stout may help
We compare the medical evidence with Listing 13.20A or 13.20B as applicable, check the specific diagnosis against SSA's current Compassionate Allowances guidance, and gather the relevant oncology and treatment records.
Frequently asked questions
Pancreatic cancer appears on SSA’s current CAL list, which can expedite processing. SSA still requires medical evidence and eligibility findings.
Listing 13.20A covers pancreatic carcinoma except islet-cell carcinoma. Islet-cell carcinoma has separate inoperable/unresectable and physiologically active criteria in 13.20B.
Related Brock & Stout resources
Speak with a Social Security Disability attorney
If Pancreatic Cancer is affecting your ability to work, Brock & Stout can review the 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.
Prefer to send us your information? Request a case evaluation.
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.
