The Colon Cancer Alliance and Allsup, a national provider of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) representation, today announced a collaboration to help individuals with colon cancer improve their likelihood of being approved for SSDI benefits in a matter of months, instead of years, if they can’t continue working.
More than 1.1 million Americans with severe disabilities are waiting an average 596 days for a hearing on their Social Security Administration (SSA) disability applications. According to the SSA, colon cancer is the second-leading cancer diagnosis among SSDI beneficiaries. More than 9,000 people with colon cancer were awarded SSDI benefits in 2015.
Getting expert help when they first apply for disability benefits improves a person’s chances of being approved at the initial level, and avoiding the months-long disability backlog. Visitors to the Colon Cancer Alliance website now have direct access to the free SSDI eligibility screening tool, empower by Allsup®.
“We are concerned about colorectal cancer patients applying for Social Security disability and getting denied—simply because they don’t understand their options,” said Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colon Cancer Alliance.
“The fact that people are waiting up to two years for a disability hearing was a signal to us that we had to take action for the colorectal cancer community to try to minimize the financial devastation they can experience from this disease.”
SSDI is federal insurance coverage for U.S. workers that includes monthly income, as well as eligibility for Medicare benefits 24 months after cash benefits start. Social Security requires the health condition be so severe that applicants will go 12 months without working, or that it is terminal.
“The Colon Cancer Alliance does a remarkable job of raising awareness of the importance of screening, so colorectal cancer can be prevented or caught early,” said Tai Prohaska, Allsup manager of Strategic Alliances.
“They also provide a support network and expert resources to help people who are living with colon cancer at all stages. Allsup is one of those resources and is pleased to be part of the Colon Cancer Alliance’s support network.”
Allsup will make a contribution to the Colon Cancer Alliance in honor of every person they represent who accesses empower by Allsup through the Colon Cancer Alliance website.
ABOUT COLON CANCER ALLIANCE
The Colon Cancer Alliance is a national nonprofit committed to ending colon cancer within our lifetime. Working with our nation of passionate advocates, we are empowered to support the needs of patients and survivors, eager to raise awareness of preventative screening, and poised to help fund critical research. We are fiercely determined to end colon cancer once and for all. www.ccalliance.org
ABOUT ALLSUP
Allsup and its subsidiaries provide nationwide Social Security disability, veterans disability appeal, return to work, exchange plan and Medicare services for individuals, their employers and insurance carriers. Allsup professionals deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. Founded in 1984, the company is based in Belleville, Illinois, near St. Louis. Learn more at Allsup.com and @Allsup.
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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5ef83b39-ba2d-4379-9b8c-bca4781ded98