LEWISTON — The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing at Central Maine Medical Center will offer a free workshop titled “Understanding Social Security Benefits for People Living with Cancer.” The workshop is scheduled from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at 12 High Street, Conference Room I.

It will be led by Lourdes Rubio, a cancer survivor and a nine-year claims representative with the Social Security Administration.

Rubio will provide an informative overview of the various Social Security benefits which a person might be eligible for and how to apply for them. These will include: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) and survivor’s benefits. She is fluent in Spanish, and will assist any Spanish speaking patients along with anyone else who needs help navigating access to benefits.

Rubio’s sister was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and her 7-year-old nephew just completed a 3 1/2 year battle with acute leukemia. “From personal experience I understand how important it is to provide compassionate service, as well as accurate and timely information to claimants facing a cancer diagnosis and treatment,” she said.

To register for the workshop, call The Dempsey Center at 795-8250 or 1-877-336-7287.