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Information about all aspects of finances affected by a serious health condition. Includes income sources such as work, investments, and private and government disability programs, and expenses such as medical bills, and how to deal with financial problems.
Information about all aspects of health care from choosing a doctor and treatment, staying safe in a hospital, to end of life care. Includes how to obtain, choose and maximize health insurance policies.
Answers to your practical questions such as how to travel safely despite your health condition, how to avoid getting infected by a pet, and what to say or not say to an insurance company.

Colorectal Cancer: Post 6+; recurrence: On Disability

Summary

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS, SEE THE DOCUMENTS IN "TO LEARN MORE" AND THE OTHER SECTIONS OF THIS DOCUMENT

This area of our guide covers the areas of your life affected by your inability to work because of your health condition.

If you are receiving a disability income, whether from an employer, a disability income insurance policy, or a government program such as Social Security Disability:

  • Start preparing in case an investigator calls. 
  • At the same time, when you're up to it, start preparing for a return to work.
  • Consider whether you want to return to the same job you had or make a change. Perhaps even become self employed. (To learn about getting started as a person with a health condition, click here.)

If you are feeling well enough to do work type activities, consider volunteering. As a general matter, volunteering does not count even if you volunteer from 9 -- 5 because you are not obligated to show up. Volunteering is good for the spirit, can help against depression, and can even help you learn new skills or bring old skills to date in case you do return to the work force. To learn about volunteering, click here.

Consider whether you are mentally, physically and emotionally ready to return to work. An easy way to find out if you are ready to work full time is to volunteer, preferably in a situation which helps get skills up-to-date or perhaps in a new area of work you are considering.

If you are ready to return to work: 

  • if you are receiving a disability income and other benefits, look at the effect a return to work will have on your income and other benefits. For information about the effect on income, click here.
  • Consider whether this is the time to become self employed or to start your own business. (For information, see the documents in "To Learn More.")

Returning to work will be easier for you and others if you stay in touch with former co-workers while not working. Keep co-workers informed about your situation and progress. Talk to them on the phone, send a text or email, or appoint a trusted friend or family member to do this for you. When you are able, stop in the office.

When thinking about returning to work, or what kind of work to do, keep in mind that:

  • The only question is whether you are mentally and physically able to work now. What may happen in the future is not relevant.
  • If you would prefer to work for another employer, job lock because of a health condition is a thing of the past. New employers cannot ask about your health condition thanks to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar laws. Thanks to a law known as HIPAA, if a new employer's health plan has a waiting period for pre-existing health conditions, the amount of time you have previous health coverage can count against that time period as long as the gap between coverages is no more than 62 days.

Before you return to work, click. here. To learn about helpful tips for when you return to work, click here

NOTE:

  • If you are experiencing financial difficulties (what we refer to as a "financial crunch") click here.
  • If you are experiencing emotional issues: if you are experiencing a recurrence, click here. It you are  without evidence of disease and are well past the end of treatment, click here.
  • If you have health insurance, and aren't sure whether you are maximizing use of it, click here.
  • If You Are Receiving A Disability Income

    If you are receiving a disability income:

    • Prepare in case an investigator calls to see you. As you'll find from reading our document, you have a good deal more control over the situation than most people realize. For information, click here. 
    • If you feel well enough to do work-type activities, look at the rules to find out what constitutes work so you do not inadvertently break any rules and lose your income.
      • As a general matter, volunteering does not count even if you volunteer from 9 -- 5 because you are not obligated to show up. Volunteering is good for the spirit, can help against depression, and can even help you learn new skills or bring old skills to date in case you do return to the work force. To learn about volunteering, click here.
      • If you are receiving income from Social Security Disability Insurance, you are allowed to return to work for pay for a limited period of time to test whether you are able to work without affecting your disability income. A private insurer may also allow this test to encourage you to return to work. (It is preferable to have an expert speak with a disability income insurer on your behalf. You do not want them to decide that because you are asking the question, that you are no longer disabled and entitled to an income.)
    • Consider whether this is the time to become self employed or to start your own business. (For information, see the documents in "To Learn More.")

    Returning to work will be easier for you and others if you stay in touch with former co-workers while not working. Keep co-workers informed about your situation and progress. Talk to them on the phone, send a text or email, or appoint a trusted friend or family member to do this for you. When you are able, stop in the office.

    To Learn More

    More Information

    Self Employed

    Related Articles

    Work: Self-Employed

    Before You Return To Work

    Before you return to work:

    • If there is a question whether you are physically and mentally able to work, consider volunteering -preferably in a situation which helps get skills up-to-date, or perhaps to volunteer in a new area of work you are considering. Check to be sure that disability income will not be affected even if you volunteer from 9 - 5. (for information about volunteering, click here.)

    • Consider returning to work part time for a while to get back into the swing and not overtax yourself.

    • If you have been out of work for a while, think about what skills may need to be updated. For instance, learning the latest computer program, or the newest version of a program you are used to using.

    • Think about who you want to tell about your health condition and/or treatment, and how much you want to tell. Be prepared for a variety of responses. See "To Learn More."

    • Talk with your boss about what you can and cannot do so you are both on the same page. Your boss may assume that you will be able to resume where you left off and resume a full work load right away.

    • The thought of returning to a full workload of regular responsibilities can be overwhelming. If emotions begin to get in your way, speak with your doctor or a mental health professional.

    • Consider visiting the job ahead of time to catch up with co-workers and office news.

    When You Return To Work

    When you return to work:

    • Let people know how you want to be treated. For instance, you may still not be able to work a full schedule, or you may need help accomplishing certain tasks, or you may need an accommodation such as being stationed close to a bathroom for a while. If you need an accommodation, you may be entitled to a reasonable one. Even if you are not entitled to it, you can negotiate for it. (Survivorship A to Z tells you how in the document in "To Learn More").

    • Let people you work with closely know that you are not up to par yet physically or mentally. They may expect you to be back to your pre-diagnosis self and performance right away.

    • Tell your boss about continuing physical or mental difficulties you are experiencing as a result of the diagnosis or treatment. Ask for an accommodation to help you do your work. You are likely entitled to one under the Americans With Disabilities Act.. The document in "To Learn More" provides tips about negotiating for an accommodation.

      Start keeping a Work Journal in case you ultimately feel as if you are discriminated against because of your health condition. A journal only take a few minutes to keep, and can be invaluable if you ultimately feel you have a claim.

    • People may need to be reminded that cancer is not catching or that you are not dying.

    • People who return to work after treatment often become the "go to" person when a co-worker or a friend of a co-worker has any type of cancer. If this happens to you, set limits and let people know what they are.

      If you have an ostomy, it's up to you to decide whether to disclose it to other people or not. To learn more, click here.

      Read our document: Work: Starting At A New Employer: A Primer

    • If you have difficulties, read:If The Attempted Return To Work Is Not Successful.