Qualifying for Disability Benefits with Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma, also known as Kahler’s disease, is an uncommon blood cancer that affects the bone marrow, the body’s blood-forming system, and can lead to kidney problems. A type of white blood cell called a ‘plasma cell’ makes antibodies that fight infections in your body. When you have multiple myeloma, these cells multiply the wrong way and let too much protein (called immunoglobulin) into your bones and blood. It builds up throughout your body and damages your organs. The plasma cells crowd out regular blood cells in your bones. They also send out chemicals that trigger other cells to eat away at your bones. The weak areas that this creates in your bones are called lytic lesions. As multiple myeloma gets worse, the plasma cells spill out of your bone marrow and spread, leading to more organ damage. To learn more about how the Social Security Administration (SSA) defines this disability, visit Section 7.00 of the Blue Book.
Does Multiple Myeloma Qualify for Disability?
Yes, people with multiple myeloma do qualify, but they need to meet the requirements of the SSA’s guidelines for this disability. Here they are below:
- Failure to respond to treatment or continuing disease in spite of therapy used to prevent the abnormal growth of new cells.
OR
- Multiple myeloma with stem cell or bone marrow transplantation. The patient will be considered to be disabled for one year following the date of surgery, with the patient’s condition to be thereafter evaluated based on ongoing complications. For example, if kidney disease lingered past the one year mark, the disability case would then be evaluated based on that diagnosis.
It is also important to note that the SSA specifies that the disease is to be confirmed through appropriate blood or urine tests and through bone marrow examinations, which would typically include a bone marrow biopsy.
How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits?
To apply for disability benefits, it’s important to understand the disability application process. If you’ve been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and believe you may qualify, contact us today for a free disability case evaluation.
