stories.beatsarcoma.orgBeat Sarcoma

skip to main | skip to sidebar Monday, August 29, 2016 Applying for Disability for Sarcoma Applying for Disability for Sarcoma If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with sarcoma, you may be worried about your ability to work at your current job while receiving treatment. Fortunately, there could be financial resources available for you from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Sarcoma that is advanced or recurrent automatically meets the SSA’s medical eligibility requirements. With newly diagnosed or early stage sarcoma that responds to treatment however, getting disability can be more difficult, though it is still possible. Whether you automatically qualify or must fight a little harder to get approved, the disability application process is worth the time and effort. Disability payments are issued monthly and this consistent income can help you and your family get by without your regular paycheck. The SSA’s Disability Programs Disability benefits are available to individuals of any age that have a qualifying medical condition and meet the program-specific, technical eligibility requirements. Disabled workers receive benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), while applicants with limited income and other financial resources may receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) instead of SSDI. SSI can be hard to qualify for, as it was designed for the most needy Americans. If you have a spouse who works and earns a decent income, you will not qualify for SSI. On the plus side, if you’ve worked at least part-time throughout adulthood, you’ll almost certainly have earned enough taxable income to qualify for SSDI. The Sarcoma Disability Listing Every time the SSA receives an application for disability benefits, they will compare your condition to its own list of qualifying conditions, known as the Blue Book. The sarcoma disability listing requires your cancer has either spread or come back after initial treatment. If you have recurrent sarcoma, or sarcoma that has spread to another region of your body, you will automatically qualify for disability benefits. All you’ll need to apply are medical records and biopsy reports proving the advancement of your sarcoma. Qualifying through an RFC Although cancer and the treatments necessary to combat it are often disabling, the SSA’s disability programs are designed specifically for people with long-term or permanent impairments and terminal illnesses. Sarcoma that responds to treatment and will not require at least 12 months of chemotherapy, radiation, or other anticancer therapies therefore does not usually meet eligibility rules, at least not through the Blue Book . Getting a disability approval outside of the Blue Book however means you must go through additional eligibility determination steps. This process, which is called a “ residual functional capacity ” or RFC analysis, requires the SSA looks closely at all your limitations. They will request you and your doctor complete functional reports. Others, like friends, family, or caregivers you list on application, may also be asked to complete functional report forms. The SSA uses all of this additional information to understand your symptoms and treatment side effects as well as the limits they impose on you. If the RFC shows you’re unable to work due to your cancer and treatment side effects, then you may be approved, that is, as long as you’re likely to be out of work for the standard minimum 12-month timeframe. Applying for Benefits Online application is offered for SSDI. SSI applications however require a call to the SSA, at 1-800-772-1213, or a trip to the local office . You can also apply for SSDI locally or over the phone, although filing online may be more practical and convenient. Disability applications require the disclosure of significant details, including your employment history, education, job training, and financial situation in addition to your medical history. It’s always best to apply slowly and carefully, to ensure the SSA has all the information it needs to make a decision on your sarcoma claim. Once approved, your family can worry less about income and focus on what’s truly important: recovery. This article was provided by Disability Benefits Help. If you have any questions on whether or not your sarcoma qualifies for disability benefits, feel free to contact us at help@disability-benefits-help.org Posted by Nathalie Criou Racing at 8:21 PM 1 comment: Friday, June 8, 2012 donates $15,000 to Stanford recently donated $15,000 to Stanford University, which is funded to do a large study on leiomyosarcoma specimens from tumors that arise either in the uterus or in the soft tissues throughout the body. They will compare these leiomyosarcomas to other sarcomas that occur in the uterus, including endometrial stromal sarcoma and its recently discovered variants. Matt van de Rijn of Stanford said, "The money will be used at least to a great extent to cover the costs doing the analysis on twelve endometrial stromal sarcomas in this way. We believe that this will be a very valuable addition to our dataset and hope that we will identify not only novel diagnostic markers but also potential therapeutic targets." Posted by Laura at 10:30 AM No comments: Monday, March 26, 2012 BeatSarcoma makes a $15,000 research gift to UCSF recently donated $15,000 to help fund Dr. Nakakura's sarcoma research at University of California San Francisco. Dr. Nakakura is active in bench-to-bedside (translational) studies aimed at earlier detection of neuroendocrine tumors at at time when there is still the possibility of surgical resection. He is also investigating new and novel therapies for patients with advanced disease who have inoperable tumors. “We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing partnership with BeatSarcoma. Your critical support of our translational research studies will help us to rapidly bring discoveries from the lab to our patients.” Dr. Eric Nakakura is a cancer surgeon who specializes in tumors of the pancreas, bile ducts, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. He also treats soft tissue sarcomas, including tumors of the retroperitoneum, trunk and extremities. At the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, he participates in the management of complex gastrointestinal tract cancers, soft tissue sarcomas and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors, including carcinoid and islet cell tumors. For more information on Dr. Nakakura's research, visit http://surgicaloncology.surgery.ucsf.edu/faculty/surgical-oncology/eric-nakakura,-md,-phd.aspx. Posted by Laura at 1:32 PM No comments: Monday, February 27, 2012 Canadians: Online Discussion for Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients Attention Canadians! Consumer Vision, a national market research company located in Toronto, is seeking individuals who have been diagnosed with Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma to participate in a three day online discussion board. To qualify, patients must have been diagnosed with Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma, and currently be undergoing treatment. Patients will be able to participate in the three day online board from the comfort of their home and at their convenience. They are offering a $175 honorarium to all those who qualify and participate. (Canadian residents only, please.) If you're interested, contact Melissa Vodopia toll-free at 1-866-967-1596 or via email at Melissa.Vodopia@consumervision.ca. Posted by Laura at 9:48 AM 1 comment: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 Sarcoma Trial at National Cancer Institute We wanted to pass on some information on behalf of Dr. Shivaani Kummar at the National Cancer Institute to inform you about a trial for which they are currently recruiting at the NIH - National Cancer Institute. The study is a randomized Phase II trial of Sunitnab vs. Cediranib Monotherapy to treat Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma, with cross over at disease progression. A snapshot of basic information pertaining to the trial is below. If you have any quest...