What you have to prove
Meet listing via: (1) failure to respond or progressive disease following initial anti-cancer therapy, OR (2) with bone marrow or stem cell transplantation (24 months).
Medical evidence SSA expects
Bone marrow biopsy, serum and urine protein electrophoresis, free light chains, skeletal survey or PET-CT, and treatment history.
Common misconceptions
Smoldering myeloma and MGUS don't qualify. Active myeloma not responding to bortezomib-based regimens or requiring transplant typically meets the listing.
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.