Filing for Disability with a Compassionate Allowance Condition in Alpharetta
The Social Security Administration (SSA) receives hundreds of thousands of applications every year, which often results in a significant backlog of cases. This can be especially problematic for some applicants who may need prompt financial support to maintain their standard of living and protect their future prospects.
Fortunately, the SSA has implemented a new process through which individuals suffering from certain conditions can have their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applications expedited. During an initial consultation, a knowledgeable Social Security lawyer can help you understand the process of filing for disability with a compassionate allowance condition in Alpharetta and determine whether you could benefit from it.
How do Compassionate Allowance Conditions Speed up the Application Process?
The SSA’s Compassionate Allowances program acknowledges that certain conditions will virtually always result in an award of Social Security disability benefits. Otherwise, the process of confirming a disability and the applicant’s qualification for benefits is usually a formality, making lengthy processing delays even more egregious and unnecessary.
To help reduce the backlog of applications, those who have a disability designated as a “Compassionate Allowance” will have their SSDI/SSI applications sorted into a faster processing queue. While applicants are still required to present medical documentation affirming the existence and severity of their disability, this fast-track process allows for a final decision on their case to be made in a matter of days or weeks.
That being said, fast approval of an application does not always mean benefits will be paid out just as quickly. For example, even you file for SSDI benefits through the Compassionate Allowances program, you won’t start receiving benefits until five months have passed following the onset of your disability. You would also still have to wait 24 months before becoming eligible for Medicare benefits.
What Conditions Qualify as Compassionate Allowances?
Generally, the diseases and conditions listed in the Compassionate Allowance program either have severely detrimental effects or are potentially fatal (i.e., malignant cancers, ALS, early-onset Alzheimer’s, certain muscular and circulatory disorders). A current and complete list of Compassionate Allowances can be found on the SSA’s website.
Importantly, just because a disease or disability is expected to have fatal consequences does not mean it automatically qualifies for the Compassionate Allowances program. For instance, many forms of cancer and other commonly fatal diseases like HIV/AIDS have to progress significantly before they qualify as Compassionate Allowance conditions. An attorney can help you determine whether you qualify for this program and, if so, advise you on how to take advantage of that.
Ask an Alpharetta Attorney about Filing for Disability with a Compassionate Allowance Condition
The Compassionate Allowances program is a great way to obtain a final decision on your Social Security benefits application much faster than you otherwise would through the normal process. However, it is not available to everyone who applies for SSDI or SSI benefits, and even if you do have a qualifying condition, you will still have to provide documentation about your condition and its impact on your life.
When it comes to successfully filing for disability with a Compassionate Allowance condition in Alpharetta, there is no substitute for the guidance of a seasoned Social Security attorney who has handled cases like yours before. Call our team today to learn more about how experienced legal counsel could help you pursue a positive resolution to your Social Security application.
