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Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear.
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Select the Live Chat button at the bottom of the page
Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through video calls and online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
Financial and Insurance Matters
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays a monthly benefit to people age 65 or older, blind, or disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. If you have cancer, you may be able to have your SSI application processed more quickly.
The SSI approval process can be short but it often takes many months – and can take a year or more – before all the information is processed, appeals are done, and a decision is reached.
If you have certain serious illnesses, including some types of cancer, it may take less time to be approved. The Social Security Administration can speed up their review of disability applications for people who have a diagnosis that’s on their Compassionate Allowances list.
Note that SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is different from SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance).
SSDI is for those who paid enough into Social Security during their working years, and who have worked recently enough to qualify. For both SSI and SSDI, a person must meet Social Security’s definition of disability.
Some people who were employed for short times or whose income was very low may qualify for SSDI, but still qualify for SSI as well because their SSDI payment is so low. In that case, the SSI payment is reduced by the amount of SSDI the person gets. See our information on Social Security Disability Insurance.
People who get SSI may find that it can affect other government benefits such as state or local welfare programs. If you get other benefits, these benefits might also affect your SSI. Talk to Social Security about this, or find out more from your cancer treatment team or social worker.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Along with the American Cancer Society, other sources of information and support are listed below.
Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) - Website: https://ssabest.benefits.gov/
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Toll-free number: 1-800-772-1213
TTY: 1-800-325-0778
Website: www.ssa.gov
Has general information, qualification criteria, and information about how to apply for program benefits (such as Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income if you cannot work). Makes referrals to local SSA and Medicare/Medicaid offices
Medicaid – US Department of Health and Human Services
Toll-free number: 1-877-696-6775
Website: www.medicaid.gov/index.html
Has more about Medicaid coverage and eligibility. Your state social service or human service agency can give you the best answers to questions about your benefits, eligibility, and fraud.
*Inclusion on these lists does not imply endorsement by the American Cancer Society.
Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. Fake Health Plans Accessed at www.insurancefraud.org/scam-alerts-fake-health.htm on February 16, 2015.
Social Security Administration (SSA). Compassion allowances. Accessed at https://www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/ on April 19, 2019.
US Department of Health and Human Services (State Health Care Marketplaces). Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability and Medicaid coverage. Accessed at https://www.healthcare.gov/people-with-disabilities/ssi-and-medicaid/ on May 3, 2019.
US Federal Trade Commission. Suspect a Health Care Scam? Here’s What to Do. Accessed at www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0394-suspect-health-care-scam on February 18, 2015.
Last Revised: May 13, 2019
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.