If you’ve been diagnosed with Transplant Coronary Artery Vasulopathy, you are not only qualified for disability benefits, but are also qualified for a faster than average review and approval for benefits as well. This is because the SSA recognizes the inherently debilitating nature of your condition and has approved it for inclusion in Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program.
Compassionate Allowances
The CAL program ensures your application for benefits will be reviewed as quickly as possible and that the SSA only requires minimal medical evidence. That being said, you must still submit an application for benefits and must provide the SSA your medical records.
CAL designation means you will have a decision on your claim in just a few weeks instead of waiting four months or longer, which is the average time a non-CAL applicant waits. To minimize delays with your claim, ensure you provide the SSA copies of your medical records at the time that you apply or very soon after.
The SSA’s Disability Programs
With Transplant Coronary Artery Vasculopathy, you can potentially qualify for both of the SSA’s disability programs:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which pays benefits to qualified disabled workers who have the work history and accumulated work credits to meet eligibility rules.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a need-based program through which benefits are available to qualified disabled children and adults that meet the income and other financially-based requirements.
Both of these programs may pay you benefits, if you are applying for disability for yourself. If however, you are applying for benefits for a child, SSI is the program for which the application will be submitted.
Preparing to Apply for Benefits
If submitting an application for a minor child, you will need to apply in person with the SSA. This is done through an interview appointment, and the appointment must be scheduled in advance. To make an appointment, call 1-800-772-1213 and use the time prior to the appointment to collect copies of all the necessary documentation, including medical records and financial data.
If you are instead applying for benefits for yourself, you can submit your application online with the SSA’s website or you can schedule an appointment to apply in person at your local SSA office. Either way, you will need easy access to your medical record and your financial data, as well as your work history and education details, as information from all these sources will be needed on your application for benefits.
Applying
Even with a CAL designated condition like Transplant Coronary Artery Vasculopathy, the Social Security Disability application process requires a lot of information. There are multiple forms included in the application for benefits and you should ensure you are as thorough in completing these documents as you can possibly be, as any missing information can result in delays with your claim.
You may also want or need to seek assistance in reviewing your application and the details you provide on your disability forms. A friend, family member, or a Social Security advocate or attorney can help you ensure you have thoroughly completed all the required forms and that the information you provide matches your medical records and other documentation. This can also help you avoid delays with your claim and potentially get you a favorable decision on your eligibility for benefits more quickly as well.
