The Foundation for Women’s Cancer estimates that nearly 100,000 women will receive gynecologic cancer diagnoses in 2015. These cancers include ovarian, uterine, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar. In an effort to make women aware of the risk, September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month.
Taking Care of Yourself While You Are Sick
Unfortunately, some gynecologic cancers are not typically detected until they have already spread. As a result, many diagnoses are made at a late stage and are all too often fatal. Additionally, treatment for this type of disease is often debilitating, making it impossible to work. You still need to provide for your family even when you’re not earning a paycheck, and that’s where Social Security can come in. Here’s what you need to know about the process:
- Prepare yourself for denial. About 70 percent of all Social Security applicants are denied their first time. However, this doesn’t mean you won’t receive approval eventually. Denied applicants can appeal the decision, and may have disability hearings after that.
- Decisions take time. The Social Security Administration is far from prompt when responding to applications. In fact, the entire process, including appeals and hearings, can take 18 months to complete.
- The Compassionate Allowances program. Fortunately, some conditions qualify for the Compassionate Allowances Program, which lets individuals receive benefits in a matter of weeks. For example, women who have ovarian cancer with distant metastases, or who have ovarian cancer that is inoperable or unresectable, typically qualify for the program.
Increase Your Chances With the Help of an Attorney
Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in this situation is often difficult, but when you know you are taken care of financially, you have one less thing to worry about. Let the attorneys of Johnson and Gilbert assist you in receiving the Social Security you need. Contact us today to set up a free consultation and find out if we can help.
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