Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is designed to give people who suffer from debilitating injuries or illnesses a stable source of income and access to medical benefits — but obtaining approval for a claim is often a very lengthy process. There are, however, some exceptions to that rule under the Compassionate Allowances program.
The Social Security Administration maintains a list of conditions that are automatically severe enough to qualify for disability payments. Individuals who have any of the conditions that are on that list will be fast-tracked through the application process. This could mean that they receive the benefits they need before they pass away.
While there aren’t many work-related conditions on the list, there are some. Pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma are two examples. If you have an illness or medical condition that’s severe, it may behoove you to review the list or speak to your attorney to determine if it’s included on this list.
It’s also imperative that anyone who has a condition that’s on the list ensures that it is clearly stated on their application. The SSA uses specialized software to pick out applications that have these. This means that if you don’t include the condition on the application, it can’t be handled via the Compassionate Allowances program.
For individuals who don’t have a condition on that list, having to go through the appeal process is a distinct possibility. Many valid disability claims are denied simply because the information is incomplete or the application isn’t filled out in a way that makes the claimant’s limitations clear enough.
If your Social Security Disability claim was denied, get help. Remember, there is only a short amount of time to file your appeal, so you shouldn’t waste time getting it handled. Missing out on an appeal deadline could mean that you have to start the application process all over again.