It is an unavoidable fact that getting approval for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can take a long time. Unless the Social Security Administration (SSA) approves your initial application, going through reconsideration and appeals can take a year or more. The backlog of cases varies from location to location, but it is not unusual for you to have to wait months before your hearing date.
Many people in the Dalton metro area who need SSDI benefits cannot wait that long. They have terminal conditions that could take their lives within the next year. There is a good chance they would die before they get their hearing. How will they and their families make up for their lost income in the meantime?
The SSA recognizes how unjust this would be. The agency allows applicants with certain disabling conditions to apply for a compassionate allowance that speeds up the approval process so that people with severe conditions can enjoy the benefit of SSDI payments before they pass away.
Compassionate allowance conditions
The list of conditions that can qualify for a compassionate allowance is long. They can mostly be sorted into three categories:
- Cancers
- Adult brain disorders
- Rare childhood disorders
Within and outside these categories is a long list of severe and potentially fatal diseases. To find out if your condition qualifies for compassionate allowance, you should consult an attorney who practices SSDI law.
The difference an attorney can make
Getting approved for SSDI benefits can be challenging, especially if you try to navigate the process by yourself. Not only can an experienced SSDI lawyer let you know if you qualify for compassionate allowance, but they can also take care of the paperwork and record-gathering necessary to put together a strong appeal.