What is the Compassionate Allowance Initiative with Social Security Disability Benefits?
When someone applies for Social Security Disability benefits, the approval process can drag on for what seems like forever. At a minimum, it can be months of waiting for news. The Social Security Administration is fully aware of the delays and created the Compassionate Allowance Initiative to help fast-track eligible disability cases. The goal is to identify and flag disabling conditions that qualify someone for SSDI benefits based on the SSA’s definitions. To understand more about Compassionate Allowances, you need to contact an Orlando Social Security Disability benefits attorney.
Making Fast Decisions for Serious Conditions
If your condition is included in the Compassionate Allowance List (CAL), the approval of your benefits could be received in a shorter time. It could be as fast as a couple of weeks versus the months of waiting that most applicants endure.
When you list that you have an included condition on the CAL, it will put you on the fast track. However, your medical records must support this condition. Since it can take weeks or months for medical providers to respond to requests for records, some claims examiners will call and speak with the providers directly to verify your condition. If you already have documentation that you can submit with your application, it could speed things along. For example, if you have cancer, you could submit a biopsy result report.
There is no guarantee that your application will be approved immediately, even if you list a CAL approved condition. However, the chances of approval greatly exceed those from standard applications. The SSA is notorious for denying most disability claims received, but you have the right to appeal. So, if your claim is denied, do not be discouraged. At the Law Offices of Shea A. Fugate, P.A., we routinely help clients pursue the SSDI benefits they deserve.
Examples of Conditions that Qualify for Compassionate Allowances
The list of conditions on the Compassionate Allowance List is complex. Many cancers, early-onset Alzheimer’s, ALS, and some types of muscular dystrophy are on the list. Some conditions may be approved with a diagnosis and supporting evidence alone, like organ transplant recipients.
Some conditions require that you provide supporting information on how severe the condition is. Some cancers, like a malignant melanoma, won’t qualify unless it has metastasized. There are some severe conditions and fatal diseases that are not included on the list, like AIDS. To be eligible for benefits, you will need to meet the requirements for the severity of HIV/AIDS first.
Is Quick Disability Determination (QDD) the Same?
Another process that could expedite your claim is the Quick Disability Determination; however, it is not the same program as the Compassionate Allowance List. With DDS, the computer looks for critical factors in your application. If there is a good chance your application should be approved, it is routed directly to certain examiners who will evaluate your claim sooner than standard applications.
Contact an Orlando Social Security Disability Benefits Attorney
If you have questions on the Compassionate Allowances List or need assistance with a Social Security Disability benefits claim, let our office help. Contact the Law Offices of Shea A. Fugate, P.A., to schedule an initial consultation.
