This year alone, the Social Security Administration will receive millions of claims for Social Security Disability benefits. Historically, parents filing on behalf of children who have been diagnosed with severely debilitating conditions would sometimes have to fight for months or even years before obtaining their child's first disability payment from the Social Security Administration. This was primarily due to the fact that the SSA approves only about 30 percent of applications at the initial stage, so the majority of Social Security Disability applicants must appeal a denial of their disability claim prior to getting disability payments.
The standard Social Security Disability application and appeal process is an endeavor that can take disability applicants years to complete. For parents of children with extremely severe or terminal disabilities, these wait times are unreasonable. In consideration of applicants suffering from such disabilities, the Social Security Administration implemented the Compassionate Allowances program in 2008.
Under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, some Social Security Disability applicants are able to obtain benefits in a matter of weeks, rather than waiting months or years for disability benefits to begin. There are 88 different conditions that qualify a disability claim for processing under these guidelines, and Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy is one of these conditions.
If your child has been diagnosed with Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, the following information will shed light on the disability claim process and help you understand how your child can qualify for expedited claim processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy - Condition and Symptoms
Congenital muscular dystrophy is a term given to a broad range of conditions that affect the muscles of the body.
Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy affects the skeletal muscles of the body, which aid in an individual's movement and mobility. Babies born with Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy generally display symptoms shortly after birth. These symptoms usually include muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and hyper-mobility in the wrists and ankles. In severe cases, the respiratory muscles may also be affected, creating a need for mechanical ventilation.
Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy is very rare, affecting only about one in every one million individuals born. The disease is caused by mutations in the COL6A1, COL6A2 and COL6A3 genes. These genes are responsible for creating a part of the VI collagen protein, which plays an important role in the development of the skeletal muscles. When these genes are mutated and the protein is lacking, there is a severe impact on the body's ability to maintain the skeletal muscles.
Unfortunately there is no cure for Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. Instead, treatment is focused on the symptoms of the condition and making the patient as comfortable as possible. The prognosis of the patient will depend on the severity of the condition and the level of medical care provided.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
If your child has been diagnosed with Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, you may be wondering how you and your family will make ends meet. It is not unusual for at least one parent to cease work activity in order to care for the needs of the child. Fortunately, Social Security Disability benefits can often help to offset some portion of the financial stress that is the result of such situations.
When filing a claim for disability benefits due to your child's diagnosis of Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, make sure you fill out the application forms in their entirety and answer all questions as thoroughly as possible. The more information you provide with your child's disability claim forms, the more smoothly the application process is likely to go.
Also be sure to include copies of your child's medical records along with your Social Security Disability claim. Treatment histories, lab results, and written statements from treating physicians can help support your child's claim for Social Security Disability benefits.
Your Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Social Security Disability Case
Even though your child's condition qualifies for application processing under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances listings, his or her disability application will not necessarily receive automatic approval by the Social Security Administration. If you do not fill out the claim forms properly, or fail to provide the SSA with sufficient medical evidence, your application for benefits may be denied.
If you want to increase your chances of obtaining a fast and hassle-free approval of your child's Social Security Disability claim, you may want to hire a qualified Social Security Disability attorney or advocate. This professional can walk you through the disability claim process, as well as help you to present your child's application to the Social Security Administration in the best possible light. This will increase your chances of obtaining a favorable decision in the initial stage of the claim process and ensure that your claim is processed 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 qualifies for Social Security Disability benefits due to a diagnosis of Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, submit a request for a free evaluation of your disability case today.
