Last year alone, the Social Security Administration received more than three million Social Security Disability claims. Nearly 70 percent of these applications were denied during the initial stage of the application process. The majority of applicants who were denied disability benefits are still undergoing the extensive disability appeal process. Unfortunately for some Social Security Disability applicants, this process will take more than two years to complete.
Many people feel that the extensive wait times required for Social Security Disability claim approval are unfair to claimants suffering from extremely severe or terminal disabilities. Many Americans are demanding changes in how the Social Security Administration processes claims for disability benefits. While the system cannot be changed overnight, the SSA did take measures to address the wait times required for applicants who apply for disability benefits due to severely disabling conditions.
In 2008 the Social Security Administration introduced the Compassionate Allowances program, which allows people who suffer from one of 88 different disabling conditions to be approved for disability benefits in as little as 28 days. Individuals who have been diagnosed with MPS II are among those who are entitled to faster claim processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
If your child has been diagnosed with MPS II, the following information will help you understand the disability claim process and how you can increase your chances of receiving expedited approval under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances program. If your child was diagnosed with MPS I or MPS III, you may qualify for disability benefits as well.
MPS II (Hunter Syndrome) - Condition and Symptoms
There are a number of genetic disorders that result in a child being deficient in the enzymes that are necessary to break down molecules and proteins in the body. These disorders are known as mucopolysaccharidoses, and commonly referred to as MPS. When a patient suffers from MPS II, also known as Hunter Syndrome, the individual is deficient in the iduronate-2-sulfatase enzyme. This deficiency prevents the body for breaking down glycosaminoglycans, also referred to as GAG. The resulting GAG build-up prevents the cells and organs of the body from functioning properly.
Hunter Syndrome is a very rare condition, affecting only one in every 100,000 to 150,000 babies born. While not all children born with Hunter Syndrome experience the same symptoms, physical manifestations of the disorder, such as a large head with distinct facial features and an enlarged abdomen, can occur in some of the babies who are born with the condition. Other symptoms associated with MPS II include hearing loss, heart disease, obstructive airway disease, liver and spleen enlargement, sleep apnea, and impaired motor function. In severe cases, developmental delays and complications with the nervous system will arise.
There is no cure for Hunter Syndrome, and treatment is usually focused on addressing the symptoms of the condition. In mild cases, individuals who do not suffer from mental impairments may live well into their fifties or sixties. Children with severe cases, however, will often experience medical complications and mental impairments, and are unlikely to live beyond fifteen years of age.
Filing for Social Security Disability with MPS II (Formally Known as Hunter Syndrome)
When a child is diagnosed with MPS II, the financial stress caused by the disability can often be offset somewhat by Social Security Disability benefits. It is important that you apply for disability benefits as soon as possible. The sooner you submit your child's Social Security Disability claim, the sooner you will be able to receive help from the Social Security Administration.
When completing the disability application, make sure that you fill it out in its entirety. Answer all questions thoroughly, and never reply to a question with a simple “yes” or “no” answer. The more details you provide the Social Security Administration, the more likely you will be to receive a quick approval of your child's disability claim.
Also make sure you include a complete copy of your child's medical records with your Social Security Disability application. Lab results, treatment records, and written statements from your child's physicians will all support your claim for Social Security Disability benefits.
Your MPS II Social Security Disability Case
When a parent files a disability claim for a child who has been diagnosed with a Compassionate Allowances listing, it is not uncommon for that parent to assume that their child's benefits will be automatically approved by the Social Security Administration. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
While it is uncommon for the Social Security Administration to deny a disability claim based on Compassionate Allowances listings, it does happen on occasion. This is usually due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence, an improperly prepared application or a lack of Compassionate Allowances knowledge on the part of the adjudicator who is reviewing the claim.
To increase your chances of obtaining a quick and hassle-free approval of your child's Social Security Disability benefits, you may want to consider retaining the services of a qualified disability attorney or advocate. These professionals can help you prepare your disability claim, ensuring that you provide the SSA with the required medical evidence and that your application is submitted in such a way that the adjudicator reviewing your file understands how your child's condition qualifies for processing under the 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 MPS II, get a free evaluation of your disability case today.
