Social Security's Compassionate Allowances helps those with great need

May 09, 2013 (Press-News.org) Social Security disability benefits may be available to people who are not able to work because of a disability. The process of applying for and eventually receiving benefits can take a long time, and if one's application is initially denied -- which happens often -- the appeals process can take an average of 373 days, according to the Associated Press. Some people with great need for disability benefits may qualify for expedited benefits through the Compassionate Allowances program, however, which grants benefits more quickly to individuals with certain conditions.

The Social Security Administration's Compassionate Allowances program

The Compassionate Allowances program was created in 2008 by the Social Security Administration to identify applicants with diseases or medical conditions that clearly meet the SSA's definition of disability, allowing the individuals to receive Social Security disability benefits more quickly. When the program began, 50 diseases and conditions were on the Compassionate Allowances list, and applications from individuals with these conditions were fast-tracked so the individuals would receive benefits in days instead of months, according to an SSA press release.

In December 2012, the Compassionate Allowances list was most recently expanded to include 200 conditions. The SSA worked with the National Institutes of Health and held a series of public hearings to develop the list of the qualifying conditions. Included on the Compassionate Allowances list are adult brain disorders, early-onset Alzheimer's disease, immune system conditions, certain cancers and rare genetic disorders affecting children.

The SSA considers these conditions so severe that it does not evaluate or develop the individual's work history, and the agency states that it uses minimal objective medical information when deciding to award disability benefits based on the individual's condition. This significantly decreases the time it takes to receive benefits for those who are most seriously disabled.

Social Security benefits

Individuals who cannot work because of a disability may be eligible for Social Security disability insurance benefits or Supplemental Security Income benefits. To be eligible for SSDI benefits, an individual must have paid a sufficient amount into the Social Security program through taxes on wages and have a condition or disease that meets the SSA's definition of disability. To be eligible for SSI benefits, an individual must be blind, disabled or over age 65 and meet financial limitations. One does not need to have a work history to qualify for SSI benefits.

If you have a disability that prevents you from working, contact an experienced Social Security disability lawyer to learn more about the benefits that may be available to you.

Article provided by Richard A. Sly Attorney at Law
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