Compassionate allowance

Published on: October 31, 2018

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR TESTRASOMY 18P

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Tetrasomy 18p is a very rare chromosomal disorder that can lead to neurological impairment, muscular abnormalities, and a number of other complications that can severely impair the quality of a person’s life. The Social Security Administration recently added this condition to its Compassionate Allowances program.

Typically, persons have two 18 chromosomes, and both of these will have a short arm and a long arm. However, when a person suffers from Tetrasomy 18p, there are 4 short arms present instead of the typical 2. That can cause a number of complications, including abnormalities of the skull and craniofacial area, and disabilities of the spine. The person may also suffer from hypotonia or low muscle tone, neuromuscular disabilities, abnormal reflexive reactions, and kidney problems that can lead to renal failure. They may also have difficulty coordinating physical movements.

Moderate to severe mental disabilities are not uncommon among those who suffer from Tetrasomy 18p. They may also suffer from moderate to severe speech or language difficulties, and cognitive and behavioral abnormalities.

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Published on: October 29, 2018

DISABILITY BENEFITS FOR RARE INTESTINAL SYNDROME

By Lisa Siegel

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently added Megacystis Microcolon Intestinal Hypoperistalsis Syndrome to conditions covered under its Compassionate Allowances program. Megacystis Syndrome is a severe condition that impairs the functioning of the bladder and intestines. This syndrome mimics a physical obstruction of the intestine, causing partially digested food material to be blocked inside the intestine. This can cause symptoms that include vomiting and severe abdominal swelling. Bladder dysfunction can also cause impairment in urinary function.

This is a relatively rare condition, and the prognosis for the condition is not very good. The condition is strongly associated with impaired digestion, and therefore, malnutrition is a common consequence of the condition. This, in turn, leads to a lower life expectancy for those suffering from this condition. Survival of the patient over the long term will depend on intravenous (IV) feedings or parenteral nutrition, accompanied by urinary catheterization or diversion. Long-term use of parenteral nutrition, however, is associated with liver problems, leading to further complications. There is currently no complete cure for this syndrome.

If your loved one has been diagnosed with Megacystis Syndrome, contact Lisa Siegel, Georgia Disability Attorney, about filing a claim for disability benefits.

Published on: December 10, 2012

More Conditions Added to Social Security Compassionate Allowances

By Lisa Siegel

There are certain medical diseases or conditions for which Social Security disability claims can be processed quickly under a program called Compassionate Allowances. Recently, the Social Security Administration made the decision to increase the number of conditions that are covered under the program.

About 35 new conditions were included in the program, and the list now consists of a total of 200 conditions. The Compassionate Allowances Program is designed mainly to facilitate quicker acceleration of disability claims for persons who suffer from certain diseases and conditions that are so serious, that waiting for long periods of time for a claim to be processed simply isn’t feasible. A typical Social Security Disability claim can take months to be approved.

The main aim of having this special program is to make it easier for facilitation of claims for people who suffer from these conditions, and cannot wait months before their claim can be approved. Under the Compassionate Allowances program, the Social Security administration targets those individuals, who suffer from diseases that are so serious that their conditions can be immediately identified as meeting all requirements.

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