About 15 new cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are diagnosed in the U.S. every day, according to ALS News Today. The progressive neurological disease leads to the death of motor neurons, which control voluntary muscles, in the brain and spinal cord.
ALS is a progressive disease that cause disability, and that eventually leads to death. If you are the caregiver of someone with ALS, you can help them apply for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
How Your Loved One Can Medically Qualify For Social Security Disability Benefits
Disability Determination Services (DDS) reviews disability claims for the SSA. These claims are reviewed using a medical guide, which is called the Blue Book. Medical evidence that meets the criteria of a listing must be supplied so the claim can be fairly and accurately reviewed. The key to approval for disability benefits with ALS is to provide medical evidence that confirms a diagnosis of the condition.
ALS is a progressive disease and there isn’t a cure, but the advancement of the disease can be slowed through prescription drugs. There are some treatments available that will help reduce the severity of the symptoms suffered.
Of course, the severity and progression speed vary from one patient to the next. To have a disability claim approved for ALS, you must have a confirmed diagnosis from a neurologist or provide details from generally accepted clinical procedures and practices that have been accepted as ways to accurately diagnose the condition.
ALS is a disease that is included in the SSA Compassionate Allowances Program (CAP). This means that a claim should be expedited for review and the claimant should receive benefits much more quickly than a disability claim normally would. The claim will be reviewed for imaging results, neurological findings, nerve conduction studies, a history of the symptoms, and the confirmed diagnosis.
Becoming a Designated Payee
If you are the caregiver for someone who is disabled because of ALS, you may be asked to serve as designated payee for their disability check. This means that you get to ensure that the benefits are properly used for the claimant’s necessities.
This means benefits can buy groceries, pay rent, pay utility bills, and cover medical expenses. Keep all receipts so you can confirm ow funds were used if there is an inquiry later.
How To Get Your Loved One’s Disability Application Underway
If you are the caregiver for someone who is disabled because of ALS, you will want to gather supporting medical evidence for their claim. This means prepare a detailed list of all medical providers with contact details. Without supporting documentation the claim will not be approved, so remember the importance of maintaining proper care.
To make sure you gather the proper evidence, you may want to consult with a Social Security disability attorney. With the help of a lawyer, you’ll increase the chance of getting your loved one’s application approved. Complete the Free Case Evaluation today!
