Parents who need to file Social Security Disability claims for their disabled children often find the disability claim process to be anything but simple and straightforward. Applicants must first endure the initial application process, which can take three to four months to complete. To make matters worse, the Social Security Administration denies approximately 70 percent of the initial applications it receives. Denied applicants must then go on to file a Request for Reconsideration, of which 80 percent are once again denied by the Social Security Administration. The next step of the appeals process involves scheduling a hearing before an administrative law judge. While approximately two-thirds of appeals are won at this stage of the process, it is often two years or more before an applicant is able to appear before the judge.
In cases when an applicant is filing a Social Security Disability claim on behalf of a child with severe or terminal disabilities, however, it is often impossible to wait years, or even just a few months, for an approval of disability benefits. In such cases, the Social Security Administration's Compassionate Allowances initiative may offer some help.
In 2008, the Social Security Administration rolled out the Compassionate Allowances program in order to expedite claim processing for disability applicants who are faced with severe and extenuating disabling medical conditions. There are 88 conditions that qualify an applicant for faster handling under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, and late infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses is one of these.
If your child has been diagnosed with this condition, the following information will help you understand how the SSA reviews disability claims based on this diagnosis and how the Compassionate Allowances guidelines can increase your chances of a quick and hassle-free approval of your disability application.
Late Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses - Condition and Symptoms
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses, also known as NCL, is a broad term given to a range of at least eight different genetic neurodegenerative disorders that are caused by a build-up of lipofuscin in the tissues of the body. In late infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses, the condition becomes apparent between two to four years of age. This form of Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses is attributed to a mutation of the CLN2, CLN5, CLN6, and CLN7 genes.
Approximately one in every 100,000 children born is affected by this condition. When late infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses develops, the child often experiences a loss of vision and seizures. Eventually, cerebral atrophy and dementia begin to develop. Children diagnosed with this condition will not usually live beyond ten to twelve years of age.
Unfortunately, there is no cure or effective course of treatment for late infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses. No medication is available to slow the progression of the disease, although seizures can be controlled with anti-seizure prescriptions. When treating a patient for late infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses, treatment is usually focused on making the patient as comfortable as possible and addressing the symptoms of the condition.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Late Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses
If your child is diagnosed with late infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses, you should apply for Social Security Disability benefits as soon as possible. The sooner you apply for your child's benefits, the sooner you will be approved. Because late infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses disability claims qualify for processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, you may be approved for Social Security Disability benefits in just a few weeks.
It is important to remember that even though this condition qualifies for processing under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances guidelines, you will need to provide as much medical evidence as possible to support your Social Security Disability claim. When submitting your application for disability benefits,, make sure you include a full copy of your child's medical records including all test results and written statements from your child's treating physicians.
Your Late Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses Social Security Disability Case
Many parents who file a Social Security Disability claim based on a Compassionate Allowances listing assume that their child's application will be automatically approved by the SSA, but this is not necessarily the case. Although it is rare for the Social Security Administration to deny claims based on a Compassionate Allowances listing, it has been known to happen. Because of this, you should consider retaining the services of a qualified disability attorney or advocate in order to increase your chances of a favorable decision at the initial stage of the application process.
When you hire a disability attorney or advocate to assist you with your Social Security claim, he or she will work to ensure that all of the necessary medical evidence is aggregated and submitted along with your application. Your advocate or attorney will also make sure that your application for benefits is presented properly to the Social Security Administration so that your claim will be processed quickly in accordance with the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
To learn more about the Social Security Compassionate Allowance listings, or to find out whether your child qualifies for Social Security Disability benefits due to a diagnosis of late infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses, submit a request for a free evaluation of your disability case today.
