Some May Receive Social Security Benefits Faster Through Compassionate Allowance Program
People most often apply to receive disability benefits after they have been diagnosed with a disabling condition that affects their ability to work. This disability can often leave both individuals and their family members without financial support. The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently reported that more than 1.1 million Americans who have applied for Social Security Disability (SSDI) are waiting for their approval notice and average wait times are nearly 600 days, an all-time high for claimants waiting in the messy disability hearing backlog.
But some might be able to expedite their claim through the long and often intimidating process of applying for disability benefits through the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program, a system designed to speed up the process of qualifying for disability benefits. SSA implemented the CAL program in 2008 to expedite the initial claim process for those individuals deemed to have one of the 200+ disabling conditions or diseases identified by the Administration’s standards. These conditions may include certain cancers, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, heart conditions, and a number of rare disorders that affect children. The SSA website has posted a list of conditions that will automatically qualify someone for SSDI and help expedite the application process.
The CAL initiative should help reduce wait times for those individuals with the most serious disabilities who deserve or need a quick answer. All a person needs is their medical documentation to prove that they have one of the qualifying conditions, and the initial claim should be automatically flagged by the SSA and processed in as little as 10 days. The Administration uses the same rules to evaluate CAL conditions when evaluating both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs.
When to Hire a Social Security Disability Attorney
Michigan remains a top 10 state for the most people stuck in the SSDI hearing backlog. The wait is too long for some disabled Michiganders in great need. The attorneys at The Lee Steinberg Law Firm can significantly increase your odds of success in your Social Security Disability claim and help you understand where your case may be at it or if you are eligible for the CAL program. We see many clients who could have saved themselves months of frustration and waiting if only they had sought the assistance of an experienced Michigan Social Security attorney while completing their initial application for benefits. Not only can we help you understand the different ways of applying for benefits, but we will also stand strong on your behalf throughout this difficult process.
Whether you are questioning your qualifications for benefits, are beginning the process of filing a claim, or have already been denied and are appealing the decision, we can help. We have a long history of winning cases and obtaining significant financial compensation for our clients. Contact our offices at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) or fill out the Free Case Evaluation Form to get started with a free consultation. As always, you pay nothing until we settle your Social Security Disability case.
