Of the millions of Social Security Disability claims received each year, the majority of applicants have to wait months or even years before receiving their first disability payment. While no one likes the extensive appeal process or waiting months or years for benefits to begin, for some patients, enduring the lengthy and complicated application and appeal process is literally impossible. The Social Security Administration has recognized this fact and, as a result, has implemented the Compassionate Allowances program.
Under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, there are 88 conditions that qualify for faster processing of Social Security Disability claims. Ependymoblastoma is one of these 88 conditions. If your child has been diagnosed with ependymoblastoma, you may be able to complete the disability claim process and be approved for disability benefits in less than a month.
If you would like to apply for Social Security Disability benefits due to a diagnosis of ependymoblastoma, the following information will help you understand how the Social Security Administration reviews claims based on this diagnosis and how your claim for benefits can be processed under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Ependymoblastoma (Child Brain Tumor) - Conditions and Symptoms
Ependymoblastoma, also known as childhood ependymoma, is a type of brain tumor that occurs during early childhood. This type of brain tumor is highly malignant and is usually diagnosed in infants or very young children. While ependymoblastoma is a rare condition (affecting only about 200,000 children in the United States), it is the second-most common type of malignant cancer diagnosed in children, second only to a diagnosis of leukemia.
While the symptoms of ependymoblastoma vary from individual to individual, common symptoms include a loss of balance, general weakness on one side of the face, abnormal speech, double vision, focal headaches, fever, swelling, weight loss, impaired coordination and seizures. Oftentimes a child who is diagnosed with the condition will present increased symptoms in the morning hours, with symptoms improving as the day progresses.
When diagnosing a condition of ependymoblastoma, blood tests, a physical exam and an MRI will be conducted. Biopsy samples may also be taken. Treatment for the condition varies depending on the age of the child and the severity of the condition. Children who are older than three years of age will usually undergo surgery that will be followed by radiation therapy. In some cases, chemotherapy may be given along with radiation therapy or after radiation therapy has been completed. For children who are younger than three years of age, surgery will often be performed, followed by a course of chemotherapy. Bone marrow or stem cell transplants may also be performed to treat the condition. Unfortunately, the prognosis of ependymoblastoma is poor, with five-year survival rates ranging between 0 to 30 percent.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Ependymoblastoma (Child Brain Tumor)
Due to the severity of ependymoblastoma, the condition has been included in the 88 conditions covered by the Social Security Compassionate Allowances guidelines. When filing a claim for disability benefits based on this diagnosis, you will need to provide the Social Security Administration with a complete medical history and copies of all disability-related medical records. Lab results and treatment records will need to be included with your disability application. You should also obtain written statements from the physicians who have been treating your child in order to facilitate your disability application.
It is important to understand that even though a claim based on a condition of ependymoblastoma will be processed more quickly under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, applicants who are approved for disability benefits under this program must still wait the five-month waiting period before benefits can begin. This does not mean that you must wait five months from the date of your application, however. What it does mean is that you must wait five months from the date your child was determined to be disabled before receiving your first disability benefit payment. For example, if your child was diagnosed with ependymoblastoma in June and you applied for Social Security Disability benefits in December, you would not have to wait before receiving your first disability payment. If, however, your child was diagnosed in June and you applied and were approved for benefits in July, you would need to wait five months from the date of diagnosis before receiving your first disability benefit check.
Your Ependymoblastoma (Child Brain Tumor) Social Security Disability Case
Although ependymoblastoma is one of the 88 conditions that qualify for faster approval under the Social Security Compassionate Allowances guidelines, that does not mean your child will be automatically approved for Social Security Disability benefits. In some cases, Compassionate Allowances applications are actuallydenied disability benefits during the initial stage of the application process. This is usually due to an improperly submitted disability application or a lack of knowledge on the part of the adjudicator reviewing the disability claim.
To increase your chances of a quick and hassle-free approval of your Social Security Disability claim, you should consider retaining the services of a qualified disability attorney or advocate. This disability professional will ensure that your Social Security Disability application is presented properly and with the necessary medical evidence, assuring that the adjudicator reviewing your claim understands the extent of the condition and how it qualifies for processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
