When an individual faces a long-term or permanent disability, the financial burden can quickly become overwhelming. With no way to earn an income, these individuals all too often have no way to make ends meet. In many cases, the disabled count on Social Security Disability benefits to keep them afloat financially, but those benefits don't always come quickly or easily. Sometimes it takes more than two years before a Social Security Disability applicant obtains their first disability payment from the Social Security Administration.
Fortunately, in cases when a disabled individual’s condition is so severe that they cannot realistically wait months or years for approval of benefits, the Compassionate Allowances program may be able to expedite the process.
In 2008 the Social Security Administration introduced the Compassionate Allowances guidelines. Under these guidelines, certain disability applicants can be approved for disability benefits in less than a month. There are 88 conditions that qualify a Social Security Disability applicant for faster claim processing under these guidelines, and Spinocerebellar Ataxia is one of these.
If you have been diagnosed with Spinocerebellar Ataxia, the following information can guide you through the disability application process and help you understand how to obtain benefits more quickly under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Spinocerebellar Ataxia - Condition and Symptoms
Spinocerebellar Ataxia is a genetic condition that results in a progressive degeneration of the body's spinal cord and cerebellum. There are many different forms of this disease and the condition has been linked to approximately 30 different gene mutations.
When an individual suffers from Spinocerebellar Ataxia, he or she will experience progressive difficulty with coordination and motor skills. While the exact symptoms of Spinocerebellar Ataxia vary depending on the form of the disease from which a patient suffers and the severity of the condition, common symptoms include impaired muscle coordination, problems with speech, difficulty swallowing, poor balance control, and difficulty eating.
The age of onset for this disease varies, and it has been diagnosed in both children and adults. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Spinocerebellar Ataxia. Instead, treatment is focused on addressing the symptoms caused by the disease and making a patient as comfortable as possible.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Spinocerebellar Ataxia
If you have been diagnosed with Spinocerebellar Ataxia, you may be worried about how you are going to cover your day-to-day living expenses and make ends meet. Without a source of income, the financial stress can become quickly overwhelming. Fortunately, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to help.
Once you have been diagnosed with Spinocerebellar Ataxia, you should apply for Social Security Disability benefits by filing online, at your local Social Security office, or by calling the SSA's toll-free phone number. It is important that you understand that even though Spinocerebellar Ataxia is one of the 88 conditions that will qualify a disability claim for processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, you must still take care when filling out the claim forms that are required by the Social Security Administration. Do not assume that a diagnosis alone is enough to win your disability claim in the initial stage of the application process.
When filling out your disability application, answer all questions asked on the claim forms and provide the Social Security Administration with thorough and detailed answers. Also include copies of your medical records, such as treatment histories, lab results, and written statements from your treating physicians. Providing the Social Security Administration with as much information as possible will help ensure a quick and hassle-free approval of your Social Security Disability claim.
Your Spinocerebellar Ataxia Social Security Disability Case
Do not make the assumption that your disability claim will be automatically approved solely because your condition falls under one of the Social Security Compassionate Allowances listings. While it is not a common occurrence, the Social Security Administration has been known to deny Compassionate Allowances claims.
If you would like to increase your chances of obtaining disability benefits without the need for an appeal, you should consider retaining the services of a qualified Social Security Disability attorney. This professional will help you through the disability claim process and will ensure that your paperwork is submitted to the Social Security Administration in the best light possible.
To learn more about the Social Security Compassionate Allowance listings or to find out if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits due to a diagnosis of Spinocerebellar Ataxia, request a free evaluation of your Social Security Disability case today.
