Certain medical conditions are so rare or serious that an applicant for disability benefits cannot afford to wait for their claim to be processed and approved. These conditions are included in a special Social Security program called Compassionate Allowances which allows these claims to be expedited.
A typical disability benefits claim can take months to be approved. A majority of all claims are denied at the initial stage, which means that most applicants will go through the long process of filing an appeal before their claim is finally approved. However, a person suffering from an especially aggressive form of cancer may not be in a position to wait to get his claim approved. Under the Compassionate Allowances program, however, the speed of claims processing is accelerated so that claims are processed quickly, provided you meet all the criteria for approval of a claim.
Many types of cancer, brain diseases, and a number of other conditions are included in the listing for eligibility. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will use its technology and resources to identify if the condition meets the criteria of a disability qualifying for Compassionate Allowances. Claims filed under Compassionate Allowances are processed within a period of 19 days on average.
Apart from the expedited processing, an applicant may benefit in other ways. The agency will not require extra documentation. If your condition meets the criteria set out for your disability, your claim will be approved. If you have any questions about applying for disability benefits, contact this law firm.