What you have to prove
Meet via: (1) locally advanced cancer (inflammatory carcinoma, stage IIIB or IIIC), OR (2) distant metastases, OR (3) recurrent carcinoma except local recurrence that has responded to anti-cancer therapy.
Medical evidence SSA expects
Pathology reports, HER2/ER/PR status, staging imaging (PET, bone scan, CT), treatment plans, and oncologist notes.
Common misconceptions
Early-stage breast cancer (stages 0-II) treated with lumpectomy/mastectomy + adjuvant therapy rarely meets the listing. Compassionate Allowance program fast-tracks inflammatory breast cancer and stage IV cases.
Didn't meet the listing? You can still qualify via a Medical-Vocational
Allowance — SSA's determination that your residual functional capacity, combined with
your age, education, and work history, leaves no jobs you can do. See our
appeals guide for what to do after an initial denial.