The Social Security Administration receives an overwhelming number of disability claims each year. As a result, millions of Social Security Disability applications have been backlogged in the system. This results in individuals waiting months or, in some cases, years prior to approval for disability benefits. Unfortunately, some severely disabled applicants are in no position to wait months or years before disability benefits begin, and the lengthy and extensive application and appeal process that applies to standard disability claims cannot be used to process the claims that are submitted by these applicants. The Social Security Administration has recognized this fact, and in 2008 they implemented the Compassionate Allowances Initiative.
Under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, there are 88 different conditions that qualify applicants for faster approval of their disability applications. Instead of waiting months or even years before receiving an approval for Social Security Disability benefits, these applicants can be approved for the benefits they need in a matter of weeks.
Individuals who are filing claims based on a diagnosis of Farber's Disease are among the applicants who are being granted consideration under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
If your child has been diagnosed with Farber's Disease and you would like to file a claim for Social Security Disability benefits, the following information will help you understand the disability claim process and how you can increase your chances of a quick and hassle-free approval of disability benefits.
Infantile Farber's Disease (FD) - Conditions and Symptoms
Farber's Disease, also known as Farber's Lipogranulomatosis or ceramidase deficiency, is a very rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease. When an individual develops this condition, it results in a build-up of fatty material lipids, which causes abnormalities in the liver, joints, throat, tissue and central nervous system. This condition is caused by a deficiency of ceramidase, which is responsible for breaking down the fatty materials in the cells. When a patient suffers from Farber's Disease, the gene that is responsible for the creation of ceramidase is mutated and the fatty material is unable to be broken down. Because of this, the material accumulates throughout areas of the body, resulting in the symptoms of the condition.
The symptoms of Farber's Disease normally become apparent within the first few weeks of birth, although it is possible for the condition to present itself later on. While symptoms can vary from individual to individual, common symptoms of Farber's Disease include swollen lymph nodes, arthritis, impaired motor and mental functions, difficulty swallowing, chronic shortening of the tendons and muscles around the joints, vomiting, the development of nodes under the skin and in the lungs, breathing difficulties and hoarseness.
Farber's Disease occurs when both parents carry the defective gene that regulates the protein sphingomyelin and pass this gene on to their infant. Children who are born to parents who have this genetic mutation have a 25-percent chance of inheriting the disorder and a 50-percent chance of passing the gene mutation on to future generations.
Currently there is no cure, nor is there specific treatment for Farber's Disease. Instead, treatment is symptomatic, with the aim of controlling the symptoms caused by the condition. In some cases, corticosteroids can help alleviate the pain caused by Farber's Disease. Nodes that develop can be treated with bone marrow transplants or may be surgically removed. In some cases, a breathing tube is necessary to help alleviate breathing complications. The prognosis of a patient who is born with Farber's Disease will vary depending on the severity of the condition. Most children will fail to live beyond two years of age. Children who suffer from a milder form of the condition may be able to live into their teenage years.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Infantile Farber's Disease (FD)
Farber's Disease is a severe and debilitating condition. As such, it is included in the 88 listings that are covered under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances guidelines. When filing a claim for Social Security Disability benefits based on a diagnosis of Farber's Disease, you will need to include all disability-related medical records and other necessary SSD documents along with your application for benefits. Written statements from treating physicians can also help support your Social Security Disability claim.
Your Infantile Farber's Disease (FD) Social Security Disability Case
Although Farber's Disease is one of the 88 conditions that qualify for expedited claim processing under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances guidelines, this does not guarantee an automatic approval of your Social Security Disability benefits. In order to be approved for benefits, you will need to submit sufficient medical evidence to the Social Security Administration and will need to prepare your application properly. An improperly submitted application may result in a denial of your Social Security Disability benefits or a delay in the approval of your disability claim.
Because the Social Security Disability claim process can be complicated, even for patients whose conditions fall under the Compassionate Allowances listings, it may be in your best interests to hire a disability attorney or advocate when filing your Social Security Disability claim. The attorney or advocate you retain will help you gather the medical evidence that is necessary to support your disability claim and will ensure that your claim is presented properly to the Social Security Administration, increasing your chance for a quick approval of disability benefits.
