Fast-Track Options for Social Security Disability Applicants

December 20, 2012

Becoming disabled -- and therefore unable to work -- ranks at the top of many New Jersey residents' list of greatest fears. Thankfully, the Social Security Disability program exists to provide a safety net for individuals who have a serious condition that prevents them from earning an income.

Unfortunately, it can sometimes take several months to move an application all the way though the process from initial application to approval of benefits. Though the process can sometimes be streamlined by enlisting the help of an experienced Social Security Disability attorney, this wait is still too long for applicants who are seriously and obviously disabled.

To address this problem, the Social Security Administration has created two fast-track programs: Compassionate Allowances and Quick Disability Determinations.

Compassionate Allowances

The Compassionate Allowances program is available to SSD applicants who have one of 165 qualifying conditions.

The list of conditions -- which includes several different types of cancer, autoimmune conditions, rare diseases and neurological problems -- was developed in a collaborative process involving SSA staff, experts from the medical and scientific communities and representatives from the National Institutes of Health. The program's goal is to identify conditions that are serious enough to obviously meet the standards to qualify for SSD benefits.

To qualify for the Compassionate Allowances program, applicants must provide medical evidence documenting the existence of one of the qualifying conditions. In some cases, applicants may also have to prove that their condition has progressed to a certain benchmark of seriousness (for example, an advanced stage of cancer).

Quick Disability Determination

Quick Disability Determination uses a predictive computer program to analyze SSD applications and identify applicants whose conditions are likely so severe that they will almost certainly qualify for SSD benefits.

Applications flagged by the computer program are sent to a special QDD examiner for review. The review process is streamlined, meaning that in some cases applicants can be approved for benefits within three weeks of applying.

The process will be longer if the QDD examiner does not approve the application, either because the condition has had a relatively recent onset or because the examiner does not believe the applicant is disabled. In those cases, the application will likely be reviewed by a medical consultant and may be sent back to be reviewed through the usual disability determination process.

Working with an SSD attorney

Because the application process is so complex, it is always a good idea to consult with an experienced New Jersey Social Security Disability attorney. An attorney can help you determine if you might qualify for one of these fast-track programs. If you do not, an attorney can still help you expedite your application process by ensuring that your application is completed properly and is well-supported by persuasive medical evidence.

Article provided by Wolf and Brown, L.L.C.
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