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How The Compassionate Allowance Program Can Fast-Track Your Benefits

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Since 2008, a program has been available through the Social Security Administration known as the "Compassionate Allowance." This is a program designed for when you are suffering from a condition that is likely to lead to your death. You will then be able to reduce your waiting time. To make sure that you qualify, you will want to discuss this with your disability attorney.

The Advantages of the Compassionate Allowance Program

The SSA has received complaints of long delays when receiving disability benefits and the fact that some recipients do not have long to live and will not be able to benefit from these payments. As a result, the SSA now expedites some claims with the use of cutting-edge technology, so you will be able to receive your benefits more quickly if you qualify. 

You will be informed that you are approved in as little as 10 days. You will have your claim processed in as little as 19 days. However, there is still a chance that you might not be approved and an attorney will need to help you gather more evidence to supply to the SSA.

The Requirements for a Compassionate Allowance Program

To meet the requirements for a compassionate allowance, you will need to have one of the qualifying conditions. These mostly include:

  • Cancers
  • Brain disorders
  • Rare conditions that affect children

You will still need help from a disability attorney to gather the medical information necessary to prove that you are disabled, but you will need a smaller amount of objective data.

Reasons for Delays

While this program is meant to be very fast, it may take longer than you might hope because your medical providers might take a long time to send your records. However, you will be able to submit your own medical records with your claim. Also, you will still need to wait for five months after the onset of your disability to begin receiving benefits. 

Some Conditions Must Reach a Particular Stage

To receive compassionate allowance with some conditions, your condition must reach a particular stage. For example, to qualify for a compassionate allowance with malignant melanoma, it will need to have metastasized. 

In some cases, you may be suffering from a form of cancer that does not initially qualify you for a compassionate allowance. However, if your cancer worsens, such as in the case of breast cancer, your attorney may be able to argue that your benefits should be fast-tracked.

Contact a disability attorney to learn more.


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