SSA Adds 12 New Compassionate Allowances

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is known for its long delays, but it does have a special program to help speed up the process. The Compassionate Allowances program was created in 2008 to help Social Security Disability claimants with terminal illnesses and other serious medical conditions. More than 800,000 Americans have claimed benefits through this expedited process over the years.

Recently, a dozen new conditions have been added to the list of allowances, bringing the total to 266. The program started with just 50 eligible conditions. The 12 new conditions are:

• NUT carcinoma
• Sarcomatoid mesothelioma
• Pfeiffer syndrome Types II and III
• Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma
• Posterior cortical atrophy
• Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm
• Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease
• Microvillus inclusion disease – child
• Mowat-Wilson syndrome
• Myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts
• Pontocerebellar hypoplasia
• Renal amyloidosis – AL type`

What this means is that those with the medical conditions listed above have quicker access to Social Security Disability benefits. The purpose of the Compassionate Allowances program

is to quickly identify claims that clearly meet the standard for disability. Disabled people often lose their medical insurance when they lose their ability to work. This forces them to live without health insurance at a time when they need it the most. On top of that, they have no income coming in and, for the most part, very little in savings. They cannot be expected to wait many months for approval while a claim makes its way through the process. The process is even longer if the claim is denied and appealed.

The eligible conditions include certain cancers, adult brain disorders (such as dementia), and rare disorders that affect children. Because these medical conditions are severe, progressive, and often terminal, claims are often allowed based on medical confirmation of the diagnosis alone. Currently, the average wait time to receive benefits is 5-6 months. In some cases, claimants have waited more than one year. Under the Compassionate Allowances program, a claimant could receive benefits much more quickly — within just a couple weeks.

The SSA uses cutting-edge technology to quickly determine if a claimant is eligible for the Compassionate Allowances program. There is no special form to fill out. You can apply online or call 1-800-772-1213 from Monday through Friday.

To speed up your approval even faster, ensure your application is error-free and contains thorough medical documentation. Missing information or an error can delay your approval. You don’t want this to happen. Currently, the maximum SSDI benefit that can be granted is $3,333 per month.

Learn More About Social Security Disability Benefits

Compassionate allowances are a godsend for disabled applicants with specific diseases. Faster access to benefits is always a good thing, especially in this economy.

If you cannot work due to a medical condition or injury, see how a White Plains Social Security Disability lawyer from The Law Office of Michael Lawrence Varon can help you obtain benefits quickly. Schedule a free initial consultation by filling out the online form or call (914) 228-1770.

Source:

finance.yahoo.com/news/12-social-security-compassionate-allowances-133445981.html