SSA expands Compassionate Allowances list

The Social Security Administration has recently added new disorders to its Compassionate Allowances list.

2013-03-15

March 15, 2013 (Press-News.org) SSA expands Compassionate Allowances list

Article provided by Alan J. Nuta, Attorney at Law
Visit us at http://www.ssbenefitslawyer.com

If you have ever filed for disability benefits, you know that the process is often long and arduous. In order to qualify for benefits in most cases, the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires you to prove that you have a disabling condition that prevents you from working for at least a year (or result in your death). As this can be difficult to prove, many initial applications are denied, requiring the applicant to file and win an appeal.

Even for those who eventually qualify, the application process is frustrating for almost every applicant. However, it is even more so for applicants who have a disabling condition that it is so obvious that it is clear that they would qualify for benefits.

To help this type of applicant, the SSA created a program called "Compassionate Allowances." Under this program, applicants for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits who have certain serious disabling disorders receive expedited processing. Applicants under the Compassionate Allowances program can receive a decision in as little as two weeks, instead of the months or years that other applicants must wait in many cases.

Qualifying for Compassionate Allowances

The Compassionate Allowances program is open to SSD applicants who have a serious medical condition that is listed on the SSA's Compassionate Allowances list. Most of the disorders on the list are cancers, rare genetic disorders and brain disorders. In some cases, in addition to having a listed disorder, the applicant's disorder must have progressed to an advanced, inoperable or incurable stage.

The SSA regularly confers with scientific and medical experts, staff members in the SSA disability system and the National Institutes of Health to determine the medical impairments that should be included on the Compassionate Allowances list. Periodically, the SSA adds new conditions to the list.

In December 2012, the SSA added 35 new conditions to the list, increasing the number of listed conditions to 200. Some of the new conditions that were added are:
-Adult Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
-Adult onset Huntington Disease
-Alveolar soft part sarcoma
-Child T-Cell lymphoblastic lymphoma
-Endometrial stromal sarcoma
-Fryns Syndrome
-Malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor
-Sinonasal cancer
-Roberts Syndrome

Consult an attorney

If you are considering filing for SSD benefits, it is wise to consult with an experienced social security disability attorney. An attorney can assist you with the application process, correct any item that may slow down (or preclude) your approval and look for any opportunity to expedite the process.

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Agency says new commercial bus seat belt requirement is coming soon

2013-03-15

Agency says new commercial bus seat belt requirement is coming soon Article provided by Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP Visit us at http://www.nyclawfirm.com/ After years of debate, regulations that will require all new commercial buses to have safety belts installed are likely to come "very soon," said David Strickland, National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator, at the North American International Auto Show. The use of seat belts on buses is a key factor in reducing the risk of serious injury in an accident, and some bus companies are already buying ...

Grandparent visitation rights in Pennsylvania

2013-03-15

Grandparent visitation rights in Pennsylvania Article provided by Prince Law Offices, P.C. Visit us at http://www.princelaw.com During a separation and subsequent divorce, grandparents may find that they do not get to see their grandkids as often. In a tragic event when an adult child dies, grandparents might also have fewer opportunities to see their grandchildren. Pennsylvania law has strict criteria for grandparents seeking more time with their grandchildren. Because of the requirements, it is a good idea to consult a grandparents' rights attorney when relationships ...

What happens when parents cannot come to a child custody agreement?

2013-03-15

What happens when parents cannot come to a child custody agreement? Article provided by Law Offices of Jonathan W. Fein Visit us at http://www.feinlaw.com When a couple decides that they can no longer make their marriage or relationship work, they begin taking the necessary steps toward ending their relationship. This can be an extremely emotional time, leaving both parties to wonder what went wrong. When a couple has children, they will need to determine a child custody arrangement that will meet the needs of both parents, as well as the child. This can become ...

How is child custody handled in Colorado?

2013-03-15

How is child custody handled in Colorado? Article provided by Frost & Beck, LLP Visit us at http://www.frostbecklaw.com When a married couple with children decides to divorce, typically the most pressing and difficult questions involve how decision-making responsibilities and the children's time will be divided. In Colorado, the courts consider a number of factors before making these decisions. Physical custody is referred to as "parenting time" in Colorado. Parents are also responsible for making decisions on behalf of their children regarding ...

NHTSA to ask automakers to crank up the volume on hybrids

2013-03-15

NHTSA to ask automakers to crank up the volume on hybrids Article provided by Law Offices of Aleixo and Murray, P.C. Visit us at http://www.aleixoandmurray.com Whether it is because of the rising cost of gas or the desire to leave a smaller carbon footprint, hybrid vehicles have exploded in popularity in recent years. Although the vehicles deliver on their promise to be "greener" than gas or diesel engines, they come with a dark side: they operate at such a low volume at slow speeds that bicyclists and pedestrians often cannot hear them, putting them at ...

Beware of asset concealment when divorcing a small-business owner

2013-03-15

Beware of asset concealment when divorcing a small-business owner Article provided by The Law Firm of Hauer & Snover Visit us at http://www.hauersnover.com/ In Michigan, the law provides that divorcing couples must divide their property according to the principle of equitable distribution. This means that their property must be divided equitably, or fairly, but not necessarily equally. The rule of equitable distribution applies to a couple's marital property, which typically includes all assets acquired by either spouse during the marriage, such as bank accounts, ...

Widespread consequences likely in Massachusetts drug lab scandal

2013-03-15

Widespread consequences likely in Massachusetts drug lab scandal Article provided by Carleen & Caramanica, P.C. Visit us at http://www.massfelonydefense.com A chemist formerly employed by a Massachusetts drug lab was accused in September 2012 of tampering with tens of thousands of drug samples over a period of nine years, allegedly falsifying the results used in a multitude of criminal cases. 34,000 criminal cases may have been affected Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has ordered a "file-by-file" review of every case handled by the chemist over ...

Massachusetts court: Nervousness does not justify police vehicle search

2013-03-15

Massachusetts court: Nervousness does not justify police vehicle search Article provided by Carleen & Caramanica, P.C. Visit us at http://www.massfelonydefense.com Many drivers become understandably nervous when stopped by the police, even if they know they have done nothing wrong. Unfortunately for these individuals, the telltale signs of ordinary nervousness -- stammering, shakiness, sweating -- can easily be misinterpreted by police as an indication that a driver has something to hide. In a recent decision that may help put anxious drivers at ease, the Massachusetts ...

What you need to know about family-based immigrant visas

2013-03-15

What you need to know about family-based immigrant visas Article provided by Law Offices of Garcia, Ramirez, and Pina Visit us at http://www.southtexasimmigration.com Foreign nationals can obtain a visa in the United States on the basis of a family relationship with a U.S. citizen. Specifically, foreign nationals can take advantage of Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas or Family Preference Immigrant Visas, depending upon the specifics of the relationship. Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas In order to obtain an Immediate Relative Immigrant Visa, also known ...

Court backlogs threaten efficiency of the immigration system

2013-03-15

Court backlogs threaten efficiency of the immigration system Article provided by Law Offices of Garcia, Ramirez, and Pina Visit us at http://www.southtexasimmigration.com Recent news about the U.S. immigration courts may be cause for concern, both from a taxpayer standpoint and from the perspective of foreign nationals awaiting their day in court. According to a report issued by the Justice Department's inspector general, cases handled by U.S. immigration courts relating to deportation of undocumented immigrants are deeply flawed. Judges are finding it difficult ...

SSA expands Compassionate Allowances list

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: