If you live with Parkinson’s, you might automatically qualify for disability benefits through the Compassionate Allowance Program. A form of Parkinson’s called Parkinsonism Dementia Complex is listed in the Compassionate Allowance Program as a qualifying medical condition to receive fast-track approval for financial assistance.
However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires applicants for the Compassionate Allowance Program to submit overwhelmingly persuasive medical evidence that proves the presence of the symptoms that define Parkinsonism Dementia Complex.
How to Qualify Automatically for Disability Benefits
There are two issues that applicants face when submitting a claim for Social Security disability benefits. First, the process of filing a claim takes a considerable amount of time. The SSA first has to process the paperwork submitted with a claim before a team of medical examiners reviews it. Because of the high volume of paperwork, the SSA faces a frequent backlog of claims throughout the year.
The second issue involves the SSA denying a majority of Social Security disability claims. This means your claim might come back denied, which forces you to file an appeal for reconsideration. To avoid the frustrating and time-consuming standard disability claims process, you have the option to submit an application to join the Compassionate Allowance Program.
Joining the Compassionate Allowance Program permits you to receive disability benefits at a much faster rate than if you submit a standard disability claim. However, you must demonstrate you live with one of the disabilities listed by the program. Most of the diseases listed for the Compassionate Allowance Program develop severe symptoms that limit the ability to work. Some of the diseases are considered terminal.
Does Parkinson’s Automatically Qualify for Disability Benefits?
Parkinsonism Dementia Complex represents one of the medical conditions listed in the Compassionate Allowance Program. A patient suffering from the advanced form of Parkinson’s might qualify for financial assistance in just a few weeks , as opposed to waiting months for a word from the SSA concerning the status of a standard claim.
You must prove Parkinsonism Dementia Complex has made it impossible for you to work any type of job. Submitting convincing medical records such as the results of diagnostic tests and a written statement from your physician detailing your prognosis can persuade a team of medical examiners from the SSA to fast-track your claim for the Compassionate Allowance Program.
Some of the severe Parkinson’s symptoms you must demonstrate include violent trembling of the legs, hands, and arms, as well as the development of bradykinesia, which is a slowness of movement that can cause impaired balance and coordination.
In addition to submitting compelling medical evidence, the SSA might ask you to undergo an independent medical evaluation to confirm the severity of your Parkinson’s symptoms. Consult with your lawyer before deciding whether to accept the SSA’s offer.
Get Help with Your Claim
Getting accepted into the Compassionate Allowance Program requires the submission of persuasive medical evidence. By working with a Social Security disability attorney, you improve your chances of receiving fast-track approval for a disability claim. Meeting with a disability lawyer can help you decide whether you might automatically qualify for the Compassionate Allowance Program.
