The Compassionate Allowances program was developed to help the Social Security Administration (SSA) identify conditions which should automatically qualify claimants for disability benefits. Claimants who suffer from a condition approved for a compassionate allowance are able to avoid much of the red tape of applying for Social Security disability benefits. Their claims are generally approved in a matter of two to three weeks instead of the several months (or even years) which standard Social Security disability claims often take.
When the compassionate allowances program was launched in 2008, the SSA only recognized 50 conditions which qualified. Since then, the SSA has periodically reviewed the program and added additional conditions. Their most recent additions were in December, 2012. At that time, 30 conditions were added to the Compassionate Allowance listings. One of the conditions added was Child T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma.
Child T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma - Conditions and Symptoms
Child T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma is a non-Hodgkin type of lymphoma. It is similar to leukemia in that it affects:
- Bone marrow
- Spleen
- Central nervous system
The major difference between Child T-Cell lymphoblastic lymphoma and lymphoblastic leukemia is that lymphoma tumors may cause lumps on the body. These lumps are commonly found on the abdomen, but may be located in any of the following areas:
- Tonsils
- Lymph gland
- Thyroid gland
- Bone
- Skin
As the name suggests, Child T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma presents during childhood. It generally progresses rapidly and often isn’t detected until the child is in stage III or IV. There are a number of treatments possible, more or less following the procedures for treating leukemia. These treatments include:
- Chemotherapy (often including spinal injections)
- Radioimmunotherapy
- Radiation
The long term prognosis with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma depends largely on when the disease is detected and the extent of its spread. The child’s age and response to treatment are also important factors in the condition’s treatability.
Applying for Social Security Disability with Child T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
If your child has been diagnosed with Child T-Cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, you may be qualified to receive Social Security disability benefits to help take care of him or her. Your child automatically meets the medical requirements for disability benefits because her condition qualifies her for a compassionate allowance. The actual benefits you will be eligible to receive are based on part on your income and assets.
Even though the diagnosis automatically qualifies for disability, you will need to include medical documentation which confirms your child’s diagnosis with Child T-Cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. This includes:
- Complete medical records relating to all examinations used to diagnose lymphoblastic lymphoma.
- Laboratory findings consistent with a diagnosis of Child T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma
- Oncology consultative reports
- Any medical imaging pertaining to the diagnosis
- All biopsy reports related to the diagnosis
- All pathology reports relating to the diagnosis
Your Child T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma Disability Case
Claimants should consider consulting a Social Security disability lawyer to advise them regarding how to proceed with any Social Security disability claim. With a compassionate allowance claim, you should be approved quickly. Having a lawyer look over your claim can save you the lost time and hassle by ensuring that all of your medical and claim documentation is complete and accurate before you file it.
Whether you file your claim yourself or have a lawyer represent you, you should receive an answer within three weeks for compassionate allowance cases. If it takes longer than that, contact your SSA office or your Social Security lawyer to check on the status of your child’s claim.
