Luisa knew that chemotherapy would be difficult. She had no idea how hard it would be to continue working while she received aggressive treatment for her adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Her prognosis was poor. Shortly after treatment started, she took time to consider whether she was eligible for disability benefits. Luisa learned about SSDI Compassionate Allowance and hoped she was eligible.
What is the SSDI Compassionate Allowance program?
Applicants for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) have to meet certain rigid requirements to be approved. The application process can take twelve months, only to learn you have been denied. In fact, most first-time claims are rejected. Appealing a denial makes your waiting time even longer.
The Social Security Administration (SSA), which manages SSDI, knows that certain applicants are very likely to qualify for benefits. The waiting time for these applicants usually is much shorter than other applicants.
Who is eligible for this program?
Someone with a disease or medical condition that probably meets SSDI criteria may receive expedited payments. This is usually going to be someone with an urgent need due to a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that appears on the SSA’s list of Compassionate Allowance Conditions.
The list is long, and includes the following conditions:
- Acute leukemia,
- Adult Onset and Juvenile Onset Huntington Disease,
- ALS/Parkinsonism Dementia Complex,
- Bladder Cancer,
- Cardiac Amyloidosis,
- Glioblastoma Multiforme (brain cancer),
- Liver Cancer,
- Mitral Valve Atresia,
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer,
- Pancreatic Cancer,
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma,
- Certain Small Cell Cancers,
- Tay Sachs Disease (Infantile Type), and
- Thyroid Cancer.
Many conditions are considered for faster service because they are inoperable or have metastasized. If you don’t see your condition on this list, you may still qualify for a Compassionate Allowance. Talk to an attorney before assuming you are not eligible.
Even if your disease appears on the list of Compassionate Allowance Conditions, you will still need to provide medical evidence of your disability. The Compassionate Allowance program simply gets your benefits started as quickly as possible instead of making you wait.
Find out if you are eligible for an SSDI Compassionate Allowance
Navigating the world of government benefits is not easy. We can help.
At The Law Offices of Martin Taller, your case receives the attention and care of experienced Social Security Disability attorneys. For your free consultation, call us at 714-385-8100. We are located in Anaheim, but we assist clients throughout Southern California.
