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SSDI Conditions A–Z · New York

Is Breast Cancer a qualifying disability for SSDI?

Quick Answer

Often yes — but the Social Security Administration evaluates every application on the medical record, not the diagnosis alone. Breast cancer qualifies for SSDI based on stage, treatment, and recurrence status. Metastatic breast cancer typically qualifies automatically.

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How SSDI Works for This Condition

What decides a Breast Cancer claim

Three things the Social Security Administration looks at — and what the medical record has to show.

  1. How it affects your ability to work

    Active treatment causes fatigue, neuropathy, cognitive effects (“chemo brain”), and physical limitations. Post-treatment survivors may have lymphedema, neuropathy, and fatigue.

  2. The SSA Blue Book listing

    Listing: Listing 13.10 (Breast cancer) — metastatic or recurrent disease, or specific local extension criteria.

  3. How SSA evaluates your claim

    Oncologist records, pathology with staging and hormone receptor status, treatment plan, and functional documentation.

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Documentation You’ll Need

What proves a Breast Cancer SSDI claim.

SSDI is a documentation case. The medical record is what wins or loses. Bring or have on hand:

  • Treating physician records (primary care + specialist)
  • Diagnostic test results (imaging, labs, biopsies as applicable)
  • Medication history including side effects
  • Functional capacity statement from treating doctor
  • Records of hospitalizations and ER visits

Don’t have all of these? That’s normal. We help build the record during the application or appeal.

Breast Cancer SSDI Outcomes

Recent Breast Cancer cases we won.

Three recent SSDI outcomes involving Breast Cancer or related conditions. No client identifying information.

Breast Cancer · ALJ Hearing
Approved + 22 Months Back-Pay

Initial application and reconsideration denied. We rebuilt the medical record with treating-physician functional capacity statements and won at the federal ALJ hearing.

Breast Cancer · Reconsideration
Approved Without Hearing

Worked with the treating specialist to align the medical record with the SSA Blue Book listing criteria. Approved at the reconsideration stage — no hearing required.

Breast Cancer + Concurrent SSI
Approved with Combined Benefits

Client qualified for both SSDI based on work credits and SSI for the months before SSDI back-pay started. Combined benefits filled the gap.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is evaluated on its own facts. The case outcomes shown are representative examples; details have been altered or generalized to protect client confidentiality.

Reviewed by Brian M. Mittman, Esq.
Managing Partner · Markhoff & Mittman, P.C. · Admitted in New York

Brian handles SSDI matters end-to-end — including conditions like Breast Cancer that require careful coordination of the medical record with the SSA Blue Book listings and the federal hearing process.

Last reviewed: May 14, 2026
Related Conditions

Other SSDI-qualifying conditions clients ask about.

Your Legal Team

The attorneys who work your case

Not a call centre. The lawyer who signs you is the lawyer who shows up.

  • Brian M. Mittman, Esq.

    Brian M. Mittman, Esq.

    Managing Partner · Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.

    Call 866-205-2415 Schedule with Brian
    • Admitted in New York
    • 30+ years in practice
    • Attends Board hearings personally

    Brian has personally handled New York workers' compensation, SSDI, and personal-injury cases for over three decades. Your case is never handed off to a paralegal.

    Full bio & credentials →

  • Randy Jacobs, Esq.

    Randy Jacobs, Esq.

    Attorney · Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.

    Call 866-205-2415 Schedule with Randy
    • Admitted in New York and New Jersey
    • Pace University School of Law, J.D.
    • Litigates before the Workers' Compensation Board

    Randy has litigated every type of claim before the Workers' Compensation Board on behalf of hundreds of claimants.

    Full bio & credentials →

  • Benai Lifshitz, Esq.

    Benai Lifshitz, Esq.

    Attorney · Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.

    Call 866-205-2415 Schedule with Benai
    • Admitted in New York, 2008
    • New York Law School, J.D. 2007
    • With The Disability Guys since 2013

    Benai has spent more than a decade fighting for injured workers before the Workers' Compensation Board and the New York State Employees' Retirement Board.

    Full bio & credentials →

Living with Breast Cancer? Stop fighting Social Security alone.

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