Developing a serious illness or suffering a disabling injury can quickly turn a person’s life upside down, and the inability to work can set in quickly. While Social Security Disability Insurance benefits can often help qualifying individuals receive financial assistance, it can take months to receive an approval and payments. It could take even longer if individuals have to appeal an initial denial. However, there are some cases in which the Social Security Administration makes compassionate allowances, which may decrease wait time.
When someone is contending with a disabling condition, every moment can seem important. As a result, having to wait months to receive an answer about whether the individual will receive SSDI benefits can seem grueling. When the SSA makes compassionate allowances, the agency is able to review a specific condition and determine more quickly whether a person may qualify for benefits. This reduced wait time could greatly improve the financial circumstances of someone who could no longer work.
In most cases, the SSA considers compassionate allowances for specific conditions, including those that fall into the following categories:
- Rare conditions and disorders that involve children
- Certain cancers
- Brain disorders that affect adults
When applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, knowing that the wait time can be long only adds to the stress of the situation. If individuals believe that they may qualify for compassionate allowances, they may want to gain more information on how to follow that application route. Discussing the matter with legal professionals may help interested parties better understand their rights and options when applying for benefits.
