When most people think about Social Security Disability benefits, they imagine benefits awarded to disabled workers who are no longer able to maintain employment or to families of infants who have been born with severely debilitating conditions. The truth is, some applications are filed for children who were seemingly healthy at birth, but develop conditions later on in life. Such is the case with Hallervorden-Spatz disease. Children who develop Hallervorden-Spatz disease may qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. While most disability applicants must wait months or even years for benefits to be awarded, those who are diagnosed with Hallervorden-Spatz disease qualify for claim processing under the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances guidelines. The SSA’s Compassionate Allowances program provides applicants with expedited processing of their disability claims, allowing them to be approved for benefits in a matter of weeks rather than months or years. If your child has been diagnosed with Hallervorden-Spatz disease and you are interested in receiving disability benefits for your child, the following information will help.
Hallervorden-Spatz Disease - Condition and Symptoms
Hallervorden-Spatz disease is a rare, inherited disorder. The condition usually presents itself during childhood or adolescence. Patients who suffer from Hallervorden-Spatz have a genetic disorder that results in a buildup of iron in different parts of the brain. While the specific symptoms of this condition can vary from case to case, common symptoms include dementia, involuntary muscle movement, rigid muscles, seizures, spasticity, vision impairment, tremors and general weakness.
Unfortunately there is no cure or treatment for Hallervorden-Spatz disease. Instead, treatment is focused on addressing the symptoms of the condition and making a patient as comfortable as possible. Most patients who suffer from the condition will not survive more than thirty years past the onset of the disease.
Causes of Hallervorden-Spatz Disease
Most cases of Hallervorden-Spatz disease are caused by a genetic defect. Those who have developed the condition genetically inherit a mutated copy of the PANK2 gene from either one or both parents. Genetic testing can be done to diagnose the condition, although the testing is not widely available.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Hallervorden-Spatz Disease
Each and every year the Social Security Administration receives millions of disability claims. Almost every year, nearly 70 percent of the initial claims that are filed are denied by the SSA during the beginning stage of the application process. These millions of denied applicants must file a disability appeal if they hope to receive disability benefits in the future. The appeal process usually consists of a request for reconsideration and a hearing before an administrative law judge. Because there is such an enormous backlog of appeals that are currently being handled by the SSA, it can take two years or more for a disability applicant to have a hearing scheduled.
Fortunately, the SSA has recognized that not all disability applicants can wait such extensive periods of time for their disability claims to be processed and approved. As a result, the SSA implemented the Compassionate Allowances program. Under this program, an applicant may be approved for Social Security Disability benefits in a matter of weeks rather than having to wait months or even years before benefits can begin. Hallervorden-Spatz disease is one of the conditions that qualify a claim for processing under the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
It is important to note that even though Hallervorden-Spatz disease has been included in the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances listings, this does not mean that you will automatically be approved for benefits when filing a claim. You will need to fill out all of your disability claim forms in their entirety and fill them out properly. You will also need to provide the SSA with sufficient medical evidence in order to support your claim for disability benefits. In the case of a claim based on Hallervorden-Spatz disease, this medical evidence may include lab results, genetic testing results, imaging results and written statements from treating physicians.
Hallervorden-Spatz Disease and Your Disability Case
If you are applying for disability benefits for a child who has been diagnosed with Hallervorden-Spatz disease, you may want to consider hiring a disability attorney prior to filing your claim for benefits. The disability claim process can be overwhelming and the paperwork can be confusing. To ensure that your paperwork is filled out properly and that the SSA has the evidence they need to support your claim, you may want to enlist the help of a professional. This will provide your child with the best chance of an approval during the initial stage of the application process.
In addition to ensuring that you fill out all forms properly and provide sufficient medical evidence, a disability lawyer can also ensure that your claim forms are submitted in such a way that the SSA understands the nature of the claim and how your child qualifies for benefits under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines. This will help you receive your benefits in a more timely manner and will also reduce the chance that you will need to endure a disability appeal.
