The Compassionate Allowance initiative was implemented by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to help severely disabled persons avoid the lengthy, challenging, and often frustrating Social Security Disability application process. If someone is seriously disabled, they do not want to spend months or years navigating the application and appeals path.
The SSA’s Compassionate Allowances program makes provisions for applications based on a list of severely disabling medical conditions. If you suffer from a listed medical condition, your application could receive expedited consideration. However, you must prove that you meet the listed condition. This is where our experienced Fayetteville, AR disability lawyers can help.
The application process for Social Security Disability benefits is often lengthy and difficult. Fortunately, if you suffer from a severely debilitating medical condition, it might be possible to speed up the process. Contact our law offices at (479) 316-0438 to determine if your impairment qualifies for CAL.
Who Qualifies for Benefits Under Compassionate Allowances
To qualify for Compassionate Allowance, you must be diagnosed with a medical impairment that meets the Social Security’s listing for a qualifying disability.
The SSA has a list of over 230 qualifying medical conditions, including rare genetic diseases, metastatic cancers, and terminal illnesses. Compassionate Allowances cases involve severe disabilities that would ordinarily meet the SSA’s criteria for benefits. Some other examples of qualifying conditions include:
- Adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Breast Cancer
- Hunting disease
- Bladder Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
Therefore, your medical condition must severely limit your ability to work and is expected to last twelve months or end in your death. Our Arkansas disability attorneys will be able to help determine if your condition meets the SSA’s criteria.
In some situations, a claimant could qualify if their condition requires a specific medical procedure. For instance, if you are currently on a heart transplant list, you might be able to qualify for disability benefits under a compassionate allowance.
Applying for Disability With a Compassionate Allowance
If you are suffering from a medical condition that is included in the Compassionate Allowance list of qualifying disabilities, you should apply for your benefits immediately. It is crucial to ensure that your condition is supported by medical documentation and evidence.
The medical documentation you need to submit to the SSA depends on your condition. For example, if your disability is cancer-related, you will have to provide a biopsy report along with a medical source statement from your treating physician. However, unlike other disabilities, you are only required to provide enough of your medical records to establish that you are suffering from a listed condition. Our Benton County disability lawyers will work closely with you and your doctors to ensure the SSA receives the medical documentation it requires.
How Compassionate Allowance Claims are Conducted
Being approved for benefits is never guaranteed. This is true even if you are suffering from a medical condition that is included on the SSA’s list of eligible impairments. Each condition on the SSA’s list has specific information and requirements that dictate whether you qualify or not. For example, if you have breast cancer, a qualifying condition, you must prove that it has metastasized or is expected to metastasize.
The Social Security Administration will review each disability application to determine if the applicant qualifies for compassionate allowances. One method the SSA employs is Quick Disability Determinations (QDD). QDD is computer software that helps the SSA to process applications and identify if an applicant is eligible for the expedited process.
The software scans applications looking for keywords and phrases. It also verifies that the applicant included all of the required documentation. For instance, the QDD will look for the name of the medical condition, including alternatives and abbreviations, specific medications, and information regarding the work history and age of the applicant.
As stated above, the amount of medical documentation you will require depends on the nature of your medical condition. If your medical evidence and other documentation demonstrates that you suffer from a qualifying condition, you could be approved almost immediately.
The Compassionate Allowances Waiting Period
Having your claim approved through Compassionate Allowances is significantly quicker than going through the ordinary application process. Instead of months or years, you should expect your disability benefits claim to be processed in weeks. This means you could see your first payment within two months of your application date.
However, it is important to remember that every case is unique, including claims processed through the Compassionate Allowance program. The above waiting period is an estimate. Each claim will be evaluated individually and there is no set timeline. This is another why it is crucial to have competent legal representation.
Additionally, while every Compassionate Allowance claim is evaluated and process on an expedited basis, the time it takes could be impacted by the number of applications that have been submitted to the Social Security Administration. Additionally, your claim could be slowed down if your medical evidence is insufficient or if a further medical examination is requested. Our Farmington, AR disability attorneys will ensure that no common mistakes are made that slow down the process.
Contact Our Arkansas Disability Lawyers to Determine if You Could Qualify for Compassionate Allowances
Applying and qualifying for SSD benefits is often long and frustrating. If you have a severe disability, you could bypass this lengthy process if your condition is included in the Social Security Administration’s list of disabilities that qualify for Compassionate Allowances. With a qualifying condition and sufficient medical evidence, you might be approved for benefits in a short amount of time. To determine if your medical impairment is included in the SSA’s CAL listing, contact our Greenland, AR disability lawyers. You can reach our law offices by calling (479) 316-0438.