"compassionate allowance"

Published on: November 1, 2018

FIBROLAMELLAR CANCER PATIENTS NOW ELIGIBLE FOR EXPEDITED DISABILITY BENEFITS CLAIM

Fibrolamellarcancer, a rare type of liver cancer, was added to the Compassionate Allowances program in August 2018. This program by the Social Security Administration (SSA) outlines a list of conditions and diseases that warrant an accelerated processing of claims.

The Compassionate Allowances program currently includes 233 conditions, including five new conditions added in August 2018. Fibrolamellaris one of the rarest types of cancers, and it is believed that less than 1,000 patients are diagnosed with fibrolamellar cancer every year. Adults and young adults may be at a much higher risk of a diagnosis. However, there have been some diagnoses amongst those up to 74 years old.

What makes this type of cancer especially dangerous is that it often occurs in people who have no prior history of liver disease, making it harder to diagnose. Also, many of the symptoms with this cancer are similar to other diseases, making a diagnosis especially challenging. This, unfortunately, frequently leads to diagnoses of cancer when it is already in an advanced state. Early symptoms of the condition may include shoulder pain, back pain, abdominal pain, weight loss, and jaundice. Currently, the only treatment option available for this type of carcinoma is liver resection surgery. Even this may be effective only before the spread of cancer.

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Published on: February 24, 2016

How Long Does It Take for a Social Security Disability Claim to Be Processed?

By Lisa Siegel

The time it takes to receive a decision on social security disability benefits will depend on many factors. In many case, unfortunately, the process of approving claims is very slow because of the large backlog of claims at the Social Security Administration (SSA). The time delay is also due to the large number of disability beneficiaries, and the increase in the number of beneficiaries every year.

Typically however, you can expect a time gap of 30-90 days before your disability claim is processed. However, that is the average time, and some claims may not result in a decision for up to two years after the claim has been filed.

Simply stated, there are no definite answers about how long it will take for your claim to be processed. It usually takes time for your doctor’s office to provide the examiner with the medical documentation and evidence that is necessary to decide your claim. Claims examiners are very busy, and may be in charge of processing hundreds of claims.

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Published on: May 27, 2015

Does a Cancer Diagnosis Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits?

By Lisa Siegel

When a cancer patient applies for Social Security Disability benefits, eligibility is determined by using the same criteria as for other disability applicants. Merely having a cancer diagnosis does not immediately make a person eligible for benefits. However, certain types of cancer patients may have the processing of their claims expedited, based on the diagnosis alone.

In order to be eligible for benefits because of cancer, you have to meet certain conditions established by the Social Security Administration. For instance, the cancer must be inoperable, with no potential for control using treatment. It must be recurrent or must have spread. A person suffering from some types of cancer however, may be eligible for expedited claims process approvals.

Persons who suffer from certain types of breast cancer, brain cancer, spinal cord cancer, specific types of mesothelioma, and cancers of the gall bladder, or pancreas, may be eligible for an expedited process in which their claims are approved based on the diagnosis. Additionally, in order to qualify for expedited approval, applicants must provide details of their history, work schedule limits and, in some cases, financial criteria. Claims based on many types of cancer may be expedited under the Compassionate Allowances Program, which allows for expedited benefits approval for certain types of ailments and conditions.

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