If you have a serious medical condition that prevents you from working, you may be eligible for certain disability benefits. The two most well-known are probably Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), both managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). It can be difficult to get from application date to approval date in a time frame that meets your needs. That’s where a compassionate allowance may help. Your claim for disability benefits may be sent to the express line if you qualify.
Average Timeline for SSDI Claim
You may be facing an immediate need for SSDI and SSI benefits. If so, you may wonder how long it will take the SSA to process your claim and send your first disability payment.
It’s hard to calculate how long it will take because there are many variables. If all goes well, your claim may be approved or denied about 3 to 5 months after you apply. However, medical records may be harder to get than expected, or some critical piece of paperwork may be missing. Some claims may not be approved for 12 months or more.
People in certain circumstances may be able to expedite their claim.
The Compassionate Allowance Program
The SSA uses this program to identify people whose conditions are almost certain to qualify for SSDI and SSI benefits. Typically, the waiting time to receive benefits is greatly reduced.
The list of compassionate allowances conditions is long. Generally, certain cancers, adult brain disorders, and rare children’s disorders may qualify for a compassionate allowance. Specifically, the following diseases are on the list:
Acute leukemia, adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma, child neuroblastoma, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, esophageal cancer, mitral valve atresia, multiple system atrophy, and peritoneal mesothelioma.
These are just a few of the conditions for which the SSA may grant a compassionate allowance. Some cancers will only be considered for a compassionate allowance if the disease has metastases or inoperable.
Find Out if a Compassionate Allowance Is an Option for You
Sometimes you need your benefits faster than you can get them going through normal channels. If you fit the criteria for a compassionate allowance, why not let your attorney request one for you?
The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have more than 50 years’ experience in the legal field. Much of their work involves Social Security disability cases. For a free consultation, call us at 714-385-8100. Though our office is located in Anaheim, we assist clients throughout Southern California.
