When a parent receives a diagnosis of a debilitating illness for a child, the emotional and financial repercussions can be overwhelming. Many of these parents will need to file for Social Security Disability benefits in order to make ends meet, but the disability claim process itself can add to the stress of the situation.
It can take some Social Security Disability applicants months, if not years, to obtain the benefits they so desperately need. The extensive wait times are due to the fact that the majority of disability applications are denied their benefits during the initial stage of the disability claim process. Fortunately, some parents who have received a diagnosis of a serious illness for their child can avoid the standard application and appeal process.
In 2008 the Social Security Administration introduced the Compassionate Allowances guidelines. Under these guidelines, some applicants are able to obtain disability benefits in under a month. There are 88 conditions that qualify an application for Compassionate Allowances processing, and the infantile form of Tay Sachs Disease is one of these conditions.
If your child has been diagnosed with infantile Tay Sachs Disease, the following information will help you understand the disability claim process and what you can do to increase your child's chances of receiving a quick approval of disability benefits under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Tay Sachs Disease - Condition and Symptoms
The infantile form of Tay Sachs Disease, also known as TSD, is a rare condition that results in the destruction of the body's neurons in the brain and spinal cord. This destruction of nerve cells is caused by a lack of the b-hexosaminidase A enzyme, which helps break down a chemical known as ganglioside, which is found in the nerve tissue of the body. Because the body lacks this crucial enzyme, the gangliosides begin to build up in the brain and cause destruction of the cells located there.
When an infant is born with Tay Sachs Disease, they appear normal at birth. The symptoms don't normally begin to manifest until after the first six months of life. Once the condition manifests, the infant's progress is delayed. Development slows and muscles begin to deteriorate, resulting in a lack of motor ability. Infants who are born with the condition also suffer from an exaggerated startle reflex, seizures, vision loss, hearing impairments, learning disability, and eventual paralysis.
Unfortunately there is no cure or direct treatment for infantile Tay Sachs Disease. Instead, the child's physician will focus on addressing the symptoms of the condition. Children who are born with the disorder will usually not survive beyond five years of age.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Tay Sachs Disease (Infantile Type)
If your child has received a diagnosis of infantile Tay Sachs Disease, you should apply for Social Security Disability benefits as soon as possible. The sooner you apply for your child's benefits, the sooner you may begin receiving help from the Social Security Administration.
When filing a claim for Social Security Disability benefits based on a diagnosis of infantile Tay Sachs Disease, make sure you provide the SSA with as much medical evidence as possible to support your disability claim. Even though this condition is one of the 88 that qualify an applicant for processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, you will still need to provide sufficient proof to support your disability claim.
When filling out your Social Security Disability application, make sure you fill out the application in its entirety and provide detailed answers to all of the questions asked on the disability claim forms. If you do not answer these questions adequately, your child's disability claim may be denied.
Your Tay Sachs Disease Social Security Disability Case
Many of the disability applicants who file claims based on Compassionate Allowances listings assume that their applications will be automatically approved by the Social Security Administration.
Unfortunately, this is not the case. You must present your application properly and must provide the Social Security Administration with the required medical documentation.
If you want to increase your chances of obtaining a quick approval of your child's Social Security Disability benefits, you may want to hire a qualified disability attorney or advocate. These professionals can help you in the preparation of your Social Security claim and will ensure that the correct medical evidence is provided to support your claim for disability benefits. Your advocate or attorney will also work to ensure that your claim is processed properly by the Social Security Administration and according to the SSA's Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
To learn more about the Social Security Compassionate Allowance listings, or to find out whether your child may qualify for disability benefits due to a diagnosis of infantile Tay Sachs Disease, request a free Social Security Disability evaluation today.
