SSA Listing 13.00

Cancer: Social Security Disability Listings

Can You Get Disability for Cancer?

Yes. For a cancer disability claim, Social Security uses section 13.00 and applies the listing for the place where the cancer started, such as breast (13.10), lungs (13.14) or prostate (13.24). Most listings turn on how far the cancer has spread and whether it persists or returns after treatment, though some, like acute leukemia, pancreatic carcinoma and small-cell lung cancer, qualify on diagnosis. Many cancers are also Compassionate Allowances, which speeds the decision. Start with how to apply.

Reviewed by Michael Rupe ·October 1, 2026

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How SSA Reads a Cancer Disability Claim

Social Security’s Listing of Impairments (the Blue Book) covers cancer in section 13.00. SSA uses these listings for all cancers except certain HIV-associated cancers, which it evaluates under listing 14.11 in immune system disorders.

The first rule: SSA applies the listing for the place the cancer started. Breast cancer that spreads to the bones is still judged under the breast listing. When the starting point can’t be found, SSA uses listing 13.27, primary site unknown.

SSA then weighs four things: where the cancer began, how far it has spread, how often and how well it responds to treatment, and the lasting effects of that treatment.

Words the Cancer Listings Use

Inoperable: surgery wouldn’t help or can’t be done.
Unresectable: surgery didn’t remove all the cancer, including positive margins that further surgery didn’t clear.
Persistent: the first planned treatment didn’t produce complete remission.
Recurrent: cancer that was in complete remission, or fully removed, has come back.
Metastases: spread through blood, lymph or other body fluid. Many listings ask whether spread reaches “beyond the regional lymph nodes,” meaning past the nodes nearest the tumor.

Carcinoma-in-situ, a very early cancer that usually responds to treatment, doesn’t count as “carcinoma” in these listings.

What SSA Looks for in Common Cancer Listings

Listing	What can meet it
13.10 Breast	Locally advanced cancer; spread to nodes above or below the collarbone, to 10 or more underarm nodes, or distant spread; recurrence (except local recurrence that remits); small-cell carcinoma
13.14 Lungs	Small-cell carcinoma; non-small-cell carcinoma that is inoperable, unresectable, recurrent or spread to or beyond the hilar nodes
13.24 Prostate	Progressive or recurrent despite initial hormone therapy (a PSA rise alone doesn’t count); spread to internal organs; small-cell carcinoma
13.18 Large intestine	Adenocarcinoma that is inoperable, unresectable or recurrent; spread beyond regional nodes; small-cell carcinoma
13.20 Pancreas	Any carcinoma except islet cell carcinoma
13.06 Leukemia	Acute leukemia: disabling for at least 24 months from diagnosis or relapse, or 12 months from transplant, whichever is later
13.05 Lymphoma	Aggressive lymphoma that persists or returns after first treatment; mantle cell lymphoma; stem cell transplant

A few listings are met on diagnosis alone. Any carcinoma or sarcoma of the esophagus meets 13.16A, and any cancer of the liver, gallbladder or bile ducts meets 13.19.

Evidence SSA Asks for

SSA needs records showing the type, extent and site of the cancer. For surgery, including a biopsy, it generally wants both the operative note and the pathology report. If those can’t be found, hospital summaries or other medical reports that describe the findings can work.

SSA also asks for a description of your treatment: the drugs, doses and schedule, the extent of surgery and the radiation schedule. It wants to know about side effects such as ongoing digestive problems, weakness, nerve or heart complications and depression or anxiety.

Cancer that has spread beyond the regional lymph nodes usually meets a listing without months of follow-up records. For cancers SSA expects to respond to treatment, it may wait about 3 months after treatment starts to see the effect.

How Long SSA Considers Cancer Disabling

Some listings set their own period, such as 18 months from diagnosis for certain head and neck or lung cancers treated with combined therapy. When a listing doesn’t, SSA treats a cancer that meets it as disabling until at least 3 years after complete remission begins. After that, SSA reviews any lasting effects, and a recurrence can meet a listing again.

SSA's Cancer Listings (13.00)

SSA listings in section 13.00
Listing	Name
13.02	Soft tissue cancers of the head and neck
13.03	Skin
13.04	Soft tissue sarcoma
13.05	Lymphoma
13.06	Leukemia
13.07	Multiple myeloma
13.08	Salivary glands
13.09	Thyroid gland
13.10	Breast
13.11	Skeletal system--sarcoma
13.12	Maxilla, orbit or temporal fossa
13.13	Nervous system
13.14	Lungs
13.15	Pleura or mediastinum
13.16	Esophagus or stomach
13.17	Small intestine
13.18	Large intestine
13.19	Liver or gallbladder
13.20	Pancreas
13.21	Kidneys, adrenal glands, or ureters--carcinoma
13.22	Urinary bladder--carcinoma
13.23	Cancers of the female genital tract--carcinoma or sarcoma
13.24	Prostate gland--carcinoma
13.25	Testicles
13.26	Penis
13.27	Primary site unknown
13.28	Cancer treated by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation
13.29	Malignant melanoma

For children, SSA uses section 113.00 (Cancer (Malignant Neoplastic Diseases)), with 8 listings. See childhood conditions.

From SSA's Listing of Impairments (ssa.gov), checked October 2, 2026.

If Your Cancer Doesn’t Meet a Listing

SSA evaluates lasting effects of the cancer and its treatment under the affected body system, for example nerve damage under neurological disorders. Its rules note that treatment effects are usually temporary but are sometimes disabling for 12 months or more.

If no listing is met or equaled, SSA sets your residual functional capacity (RFC), the most you can still do. Step four asks whether you can do your past work; step five weighs your RFC with your age, education and work experience. At step one, earning more than $1,690 a month in 2026 (the non-blind substantial gainful activity level) ends the claim. The disability requirements guide covers each step, and the SSDI and SSI guides explain the two programs.

Compassionate Allowances for Cancer

Compassionate Allowances (CAL) flag conditions that by definition meet SSA’s standards, so SSA can decide quickly. SSA says these primarily include certain cancers, and it uses the same CAL rules for SSDI and SSI. Cancers on SSA’s list include:

Acute Leukemia, Adult Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL);
Breast Cancer - with Distant Metastases or Inoperable or Unresectable, and Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC);
Small Cell Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Pleural Mesothelioma;
Esophageal Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Gallbladder Cancer and Hepatocellular Carcinoma;
Glioblastoma Multiforme (Brain Cancer) and Thyroid Cancer;
Ovarian Cancer - with Distant Metastases or Inoperable or Unresectable;
Prostate Cancer - Hormone Refractory Disease - or with Visceral Metastases;
Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Site and Skin Malignant Melanoma with Metastases.

You apply the normal way; see how to apply.

Veterans: VA Presumptive Cancers

VA disability compensation is a separate program. For veterans exposed to Agent Orange, VA lists prostate cancer, bladder cancer, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, chronic B-cell leukemia, respiratory cancers including lung cancer and some soft tissue sarcomas as presumptive. That means you don’t have to prove service caused or worsened the cancer. See VA disability compensation and how to file a VA claim.

Children: Section 113.00

Children’s claims use section 113.00, with listings such as 113.05 lymphoma, 113.06 leukemia, 113.12 retinoblastoma and 113.21 neuroblastoma. SSA applies the listing for where the cancer started. See SSI for children.

Working During and After Treatment

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) lists cancer accommodations: a flexible or reduced schedule and time to make up for treatment, leave or a modified attendance policy, telework, a self-paced workload, written instructions and reminders, rest breaks, parking near the door, a dress code that allows a scarf or hat, and permission to wear a mask. The workplace accommodations guide explains how to ask.

Your Next Step

Use the free disability eligibility screener. If SSA denies you, you have 60 days from receiving the notice to appeal; the appeals guide covers each level. See all body systems on the conditions page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Get Disability for Lung Cancer?

Often, yes. Listing 13.14 covers small-cell (oat cell) lung carcinoma on diagnosis, and non-small-cell carcinoma that is inoperable, unresectable, recurrent, or has spread to or beyond the hilar lymph nodes. Small Cell Lung Cancer and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer are both on SSA's Compassionate Allowances list.

Can You Get Disability for Skin Cancer?

Listing 13.03 covers skin sarcoma or carcinoma that has spread to or beyond the regional lymph nodes, or carcinoma invading deep structures such as muscle, cartilage or bone. Melanoma has its own listing, 13.29, and Skin Malignant Melanoma with Metastases is a Compassionate Allowance.

Do I Lose Benefits When My Cancer Goes Into Remission?

Not right away. When a listing doesn't set its own time period, SSA treats a cancer that meets it as disabling until at least 3 years after complete remission begins. After that, SSA looks at any lasting effects of the cancer or its treatment.

Is Prostate Cancer a VA Presumptive Condition?

Yes, for Agent Orange exposure. VA lists prostate cancer, bladder cancer, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic B-cell leukemia, respiratory cancers including lung cancer and some soft tissue sarcomas as presumptive, so you don't have to prove service caused them. See the VA claim guide.

What if My Cancer Doesn't Meet a Listing?

SSA evaluates lasting effects of the cancer and its treatment, such as weakness, nerve damage or heart problems, under the affected body system, then decides what work you can still do. Treatment side effects that last at least 12 months can support a claim.

Does a Rise in PSA Count as Prostate Cancer Recurrence?

Not by itself. Listing 13.24A excludes biochemical recurrence, a rise in PSA after hormonal therapy ends. SSA needs corroborating evidence, such as imaging or exam findings.

Other Body Systems in SSA's Listings

This page explains SSA's published rules. It isn't medical or legal advice; SSA decides each claim from your records.