Millions of Americans are faced with unexpected long-term and permanent disabilities each and every year, and the financial concerns faced by these individuals can be overwhelming. Without any source of income, in can quickly become impossible to pay the bills or cover day-to-day living expenses. Hard-working Americans expect Social Security Disability benefits to be there for them when situations like these arise. Unfortunately, the benefits these individuals need don't always come easily.
The majority of Social Security Disability applicants are denied during the initial stage of the application process, so nearly 70 percent of Social Security Disability applicants must pursue the lengthy and complex disability appeal process in order to obtain the benefits to which they may be entitled. This disability appeal process can take some individuals more than two years to complete.
Fortunately, in some cases when an applicant’s disabling condition is so severe that an applicant cannot possibly wait months or years before approval for Social Security Disability benefits, the Compassionate Allowances program can help. Introduced in 2008, the Social Security Compassionate Allowances guidelines allow some individuals to qualify for expedited claim handling, thereby obtaining disability benefits in just a few short weeks.
There are 88 conditions that have been included in the Compassionate Allowances listings, and Primary Progressive Aphasia is one of the conditions that qualify an individual for expedited claim processing for disability benefits. If you have been diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia, the following information will help you understand the disability claim process and how to improve your chances of being awarded benefits more quickly under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Primary Progressive Aphasia - Condition and Symptoms
Primary Progressive Aphasia is a very rare neurological condition. It is estimated that fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States are afflicted by the disorder. The condition normally develops gradually and usually affects people older than 65 years of age, although younger people have been diagnosed with the disease.
Individuals who are afflicted with Primary Progressive Aphasia suffer from impaired language capabilities. In the beginning, these people may have a hard time naming objects or may misuse words. The disease is progressive in nature and over time becomes worse. Eventually, individuals who are diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia will lose all ability to understand written and spoken languages and will also lose the ability to speak.
The symptoms of Primary Progressive Aphasia can vary depending on which portion of the brain is affected. Common symptoms of the condition include pauses in speech, difficulty naming objects, impaired language comprehension, misuse of words, and trouble spelling.
Unfortunately there is no cure for Primary Progressive Aphasia and there are no medications specifically for this condition. In some cases, drugs designed for Alzheimer's patients may be used to treat the disorder, but there is no clinical evidence that these prescriptions can help the condition.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Primary Progressive Aphasia
If you have been diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia, it is important to remember that even though the condition is one of the 88 that qualify a Social Security Disability claim for processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, it isn’t guaranteed that your application will be automatically approved by the Social Security Administration. You must still fill out the application paperwork properly if you hope to obtain a hassle-free approval of your Social Security Disability benefits.
When filling out the Social Security Disability paperwork, be sure to provide as much medical evidence as possible with your claim. Lab results, treatment histories, and written statements from treating physicians will all increase your chances of obtaining an approval in the initial stage of the application process. Also be sure to answer all of the answers on the disability application forms with detailed explanations, as these answers will help the adjudicator reviewing your file understand the severity of your condition.
Your Primary Progressive Aphasia Social Security Disability Case
Many of the individuals who file Social Security Disability claims based on a diagnosis that falls under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines assume that their claim for disability benefits will be automatically approved by the Social Security Administration. Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case. While it is not common for Compassionate Allowances claims to be denied by the SSA, it does happen on occasion.
When a Compassionate Allowances claim is denied, it is often due to improperly prepared Social Security Disability claim forms or a lack of supporting medical evidence. In some cases it may be due to a lack of Compassionate Allowances knowledge on the part of the adjudicator reviewing the file. To ensure that none of these issues interfere with your approval of Social Security Disability benefits, you may want to consider retaining the services of a qualified disability attorney or advocate.
When you work with a disability advocate or attorney, he or she will work with you in the preparation of your Social Security Disability claim. The professional you hire will also assist you in gathering the medical evidence necessary to support your claim for disability benefits and can ensure that your claim is presented in the best light possible to the Social Security Administration.
