Hi Annie,

Thanks for reaching out! I've sent your question off to our legal experts who will get back to you soon. In the meantime, if you haven't read through our information on filing for disability due to cancer I would recommend doing that here: http://www.cancerandcareers.org/en/at-work/Legal-and-Financial/filing-for-disability

Another good resource is the National Cancer Legal Services Network, so I would recommend checking out their website as well: http://www.nclsn.org/

I hope this is helpful!

Best,

Sarah, Manager of Programs, Cancer and Careers

Hi Annie,

Bravo on working through treatment for 5 years, I’m sure that wasn’t easy.  

This area of disability insurance can get a bit tricky, but in terms of whether to wait or not, there is something important to note:  most long-term disability insurance (LTD) policies contain language that require participants who are receiving LTD benefits to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. This is because, if you also receive SSDI benefits, the insurance company can “offset” and reduce the monthly LTD benefits they are paying you. You will still be getting the same monthly benefit amount altogether, though.  

There are also many reasons (beyond being required to do so) that someone would want to apply for SSDI benefits as soon as they are able. For example, if you receive SSDI benefits, you also have access to Medicare health insurance after two years. One more thing worth mentioning is that you can return to work and still get SSDI payments through the Social Security Administration’s work incentives.

For more information on SSDI and work incentives, please visit the SSA’s website here: http://www.ssa.gov/disabilityssi/.  

I hope that helps get you started, and please don’t hesitate to write back if you have any additional questions!

Best,
Eva LaManna, Esq. 

Please note that the above information is designed to provide general information on the topics presents. It is provided with the understanding that the expert is not engaged in rendering any legal or professional services in the information provided above. The information provided should not be used as a substitute for professional services.