In 2010, the Social Security Administration received more than three million claims for Social Security Disability benefits. Many people don't realize that nearly 70 percent of these applications were denied during the initial stage of the application process, resulting in the need for a Social Security Disability appeal. Unfortunately, it will take some of these disability applicants more than two years to complete their disability appeal process.
Fortunately, the Social Security Administration implemented the Compassionate Allowances program in 2008 to provide expedited consideration of disability applications to those with extremely severe or terminal disabling conditions. Under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, certain individuals may be qualified for disability benefits in a matter of weeks instead of having to wait months or years for their disability benefits to be approved. Parents who are filing claims for children who have been diagnosed with Thanatophoric Dysplasia type 1 are among those who may qualify for faster claim processing.
If your child has been diagnosed with Type 1 Thanatophoric Dysplasia and you are wondering how the condition affects your child's eligibility for disability benefits, the following information will help you through the Social Security Disability application process and will shed light on how you can increase your child's chances of receiving a quick and hassle-free approval of benefits under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Thanatophoric Dysplasia - Condition and Symptoms
Thanatophoric Dysplasia is a severe skeletal disorder. Those who are born with the Type 1 form of this condition develop curved thigh bones and flattened bones in the spine, also known as platyspondyly. While most infants that suffer from this condition are stillborn or die shortly after birth, there are some who survive into childhood with the proper medical assistance.
Type 1 Thanatophoric Dysplasia is a very rare condition, affecting only about one in approximately every 50,000 children born. The condition is genetic, being caused by a mutation to the FGFR3 gene. This gene is responsible for providing the body with instructions on how to make a protein that handles the maintenance of bone and brain tissue. The mutation of the gene in this disorder causes the protein to be overly active, which causes the symptoms of this condition.
Unfortunately there is no cure for Thanatophoric Dysplasia. Instead, treatment is focused on making the patient as comfortable as possible during his or her lifetime. Most patients will die within the first few days or weeks of life, although there have been cases where individuals born with the condition were able to survive past 20 years of age with proper medical care.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Type 1 Thanatophoric Dysplasia
If you have a child who has been born with Type 1 Thanatophoric Dysplasia, finances may quickly become a concern, as the cost of appropriate care can quickly become overwhelming for the family of a child who is living with the condition. Fortunately, applying for Social Security Disability benefits can often help individuals who are facing such a crisis.
When completing your child's Social Security Disability application, make sure that you fill out the claim forms in their entirety. Be sure that you answer all questions thoroughly, and never reply to a question with a simple one-word answer. The more details you provide, the more likely you will be to receive a quick approval of your child's Social Security Disability claim.
Also be sure to include copies of your child's medical records with your disability application. The more medical evidence you can supply to the Social Security Administration, the more smoothly the application process will go. Lab results, treatment records, and written statements from your child's physicians will all support your child's claim for Social Security Disability benefits.
Your Type 1 Thanatophoric Dysplasia Social Security Disability Case
Though your child has been born with a debilitating illness that qualifies a claim for processing under the Social Security Compassionate Allowances listings, do not assume that your application will be automatically approved by the Social Security Administration. You will still need to fully and properly complete the disability paperwork required by the Social Security Administration to prove your child's disability case.
If you want to increase your chances of obtaining a quick and favorable determination regarding your child's disability claim, you may want to consider retaining the services of a qualified disability attorney or advocate. These professionals can help you in the preparation of your disability claim and can ensure that your claim is processed according to the SSA's 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 Type 1 Thanatophoric Dysplasia, request a free Social Security Disability case evaluation today.
