Qualifying for Social Security disability benefits is difficult even in the most obvious of circumstances. Those who suffer from dementia need support from a loved one because they are often unable to navigate the system themselves. But it’s also essential to work with a knowledgeable, experienced Social Security Disability attorney from the start, especially now that changes have been made to potentially fast track applications for SSDI benefits for dementia sufferers.
Get Help Right Away for Dementia Disability Claims
Over the last few years, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has added several dementia-related conditions to the Compassionate Allowances program, a method that allows for the quick identification of the most serious disabilities that meet the SSA’s standards for benefits, thereby reducing wait time for a disability determination.
Is a reduced wait time always a guarantee of expedited claims? Not if you make a mistake. Knowing what you’re doing, filling out the proper forms, and using the right terminology will aid you in your efforts, but getting all those things right is daunting. There’s no reason anyone would naturally know how to achieve an expedited benefits disbursement – except for an SSDI attorney.
Dementia Conditions on the List for Fast Tracked Disability Benefits
The dementia-related conditions that have been added to the Compassionate Allowances program include:
- Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
- Adult-onset Huntington disease
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
- Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
- Pick’s disease (Type A)
- Lewy body dementia
- Mixed dementia
- Primary progressive aphasia (PPA)
- Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)
- The ALS Parkinsonism dementia complex
Simply stating that a person has a disabling condition is not usually enough to earn benefits. In any Social Security disability application, symptoms are always the focus. But dementia caused by any of the conditions above are the basis for Compassionate Allowance determination that allows benefits to be awarded with just confirmation of diagnosis and symptoms.
In other words, a great deal of the stress of the SSDI application process can be avoided when a treating neurologist confirms one of the conditions listed.
Qualifying for Expedited SSDI Benefits
Social Security decision-makers are not without compassion and they do recognize the severity of dementia symptoms. Unfortunately, if a diagnosis for dementia symptoms has not yet been made, the application will likely have to do through the typical disability benefits process. In this case, the focus will be on the applicant’s clinical charts which document ongoing symptoms that increase in severity over time. Keeping a log of symptoms and how they increase or change is helpful for clinicians and for your disability claim.
There is a dearth of objective testing when it comes to dementia symptoms, but neuropsychological tests are key and considered objective in that they can confirm the severity of cognitive decline regardless of a person’s diagnosis. Your lawyer can advise you on which types of testing will aid you in gaining eligibility for disability benefits and getting them the fastest.
It is still necessary to prove that the severity and progressive nature of a person’s symptoms have significantly impacted their ability to manage basic work-related tasks.
Work with an Experienced SSDI Lawyer Near Me
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to fast track your loved one’s SSDI benefits if they suffer with dementia. Contact Thurswell Law to schedule a consultation and find out how we can get you the disability compensation you deserve. Call us at (248) 354-2222 today. We do not charge any fees until we win.