In New Jersey, the application and approval process for Social Security disability benefits can take months or years for many people. However, applicants with certain medical conditions listed by the Social Security Administration might be eligible for an expedited process to be approved for benefits within weeks instead of years. The SSA has a Compassionate Allowances program that allows people with certain medical conditions to receive fast approval for SSDI benefits.
Types of conditions that qualify for the Compassionate Allowances program
The SSA has more than 240 medical conditions listed in its Compassionate Allowances program. The listed conditions are serious illnesses and include things like aggressive types of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, immune system disorders and other illnesses that are severe enough to prevent people from returning to work and will also likely result in death. People can check the SSA’s list to see if their condition qualifies. They do not have to fill out separate applications to be considered for the Compassionate Allowances program. Instead, the agency uses a software program to quickly identify applicants with listed conditions. Whether or not an individual will go through the expedited process will depend on both their diagnosis and the severity of their illness.
Other expedited processes
People who do not have listed conditions might still qualify for expedited processing. For example, someone who has terminal cancer might be approved for Social Security disability benefits quickly. Veterans who became disabled are also eligible for expedited processing for disabilities that occurred after Oct. 1, 2001. Veterans will need to report that the disability arose from their periods of service.
People who are preparing to apply for SSDI benefits might want to talk to experienced disability attorneys. A lawyer may help an individual submit the types of supporting documents that make it likelier for their applications to be approved. If an application is denied, an attorney may represent his or her client through the appeals process to try to secure benefits.
