Certain medical conditions are so disabling that a diagnosis alone is enough to qualify an applicant for Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has created a fast-track program known as the Compassionate Allowances program for these applicants.
To apply for SSI or SSDI benefits through the Compassionate Allowances program, applicants must have a qualifying condition. They must also have medical records to support their diagnosis. Applicants who meet the criteria for the Compassionate Allowances program may have their benefits approved as quickly as 10 days after filing.
SSDI applicants who apply through the Compassionate Allowances program must still wait for five months after their disability onset date to start receiving benefits, and they are not eligible for Medicare until 24 months after the onset date.
Qualifying Conditions For CAP
The Massachusetts SSDI attorneys at Keefe Disability Law have provided this listing of qualifying conditions:
Acute leukemia: Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow. Cancers included under the grouping of acute leukemia include: Acute myeloid leukemia, acute erythroid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, precursor T acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma and blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Adrenal cancer: Cancer of the adrenal gland with distant metastases or inoperable, unresectable, or recurring adrenal cancer.
Adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Cancer of the lymph system, a part of the immune system.
Adult-onset Huntington disease: Adult onset Huntington disease or Huntington’s chorea is a genetic disease that affects the nervous system. In Huntington disease, the brain cells begin to break down, causing emotional disturbances, deterioration of intellectual abilities, and uncontrolled movement.
Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome: A rare genetic disease that affects the brain and skin. The disease usually causes mild to severe intellectual and physical disabilities.
Alexander disease: Alexander disease is a rare and fatal disorder that destroys the white matter of the brain. It is caused by a genetic mutation. It usually affects children and is rare in adults. When it occurs in adults, symptoms resemble multiple sclerosis.
Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome: A developmental disorder that affects the brain and joints. It occurs only in males and causes severe intellectual impairment and problems with movement.
Alobar holoprosencephaly: A disorder in which the brain fails to develop properly. The disease is characterized by facial defects and may cause seizures and intellectual disability. Severe alobar holoprosencephaly is fatal and often causes miscarriage before birth.
Alpers’ disease: A progressive, degenerative disease of the nervous system that causes developmental delays, intellectual impairment, seizures, low muscle tone, stiff limbs, difficulty moving, liver problems, and eventually dementia.
For more information about Social Security benefits, request a free copy of SSDI attorney John Keefe's book titled Unlocking the Mystery - The Essential Guide for Navigating the Social Security Disability Claims Process, or contact Keefe Disability Law at 888-904-6847.
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If you are looking to apply for social security disability, you need to speak with an experienced social security disability lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 508.283.5500 to schedule your free consultation.
