Mantle Cell Lymphoma Patients Will Benefit from Streamlined Disability Determination Process

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on October 27, 2008, that it will eliminate the lengthy Social Security Disability application process for individuals with certain forms of cancer and other rare diseases. Lymphoma patients with a mantle cell diagnosis will be eligible for the Quick Disability Determination which should ensure a decision on their cases in six to eight days.

This improvement in SSA policies came after consultation with patient advocacy groups, policy-makers, and the public regarding the application delays that denied Americans who were clearly disabled the benefits they deserved. SSA held public meetings to solicit input about the problems confronted by the disabled and potential improvements in the application and determination process. The agency also received advice from the National Institutes of Health regarding those whose diagnoses clearly make them eligible for disability benefits.

Mantle cell lymphoma is one of fifty conditions that trigger eligibility for the Quick Disability Determination process. The agency is continuing a process of consulting with the public and experts regarding disability determinations and suggests that additional reforms, including an expansion of the list of 50 conditions, are possible.

For additional information, visit http://www.ssa.gov/disability.