Pancreatic cancer is one of the conditions included by the Social Security Administration under the Compassionate Allowances program. The Compassionate Allowances program allows for Social Security disability claims for certain types of medical conditions, disabilities or impairments, to be expedited at a faster pace. Simply put, these claims are processed and approved very quickly.
In the United States, pancreatic cancer is the third most common cancer, and also one of the deadliest ones. Statistically, ten percent of pancreatic cancer patients survive their disease and emerge symptom- free after five years. Many diagnosed with pancreatic cancer die within six months after the diagnosis.
Symptoms are often similar to those of other conditions, and this can mean a delay in a diagnosis. In many cases, by the time a diagnosis is made, the tumour has already spread, and can be difficult to remove surgically.
In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits however, you must have paid into the Social Security Administration system via payroll taxes or you must qualify under the low income program, Supplemental Security Income or SSI.