Becoming disabled and unable to work means that you’ll have to find a way to pay your bills. People who aren’t expected to be able to work for at least the next 12 months do have the option to file a claim for Social Security Disability Insurance. While it might seem as though this would be a quick process since people need to have an income to survive, the truth is that it can take a while to get an answer — and approval isn’t guaranteed.
There isn’t a way to make the process go any faster unless your case qualifies for one of two programs that fast-track applications. One of these is the Quick Disability Determination. The other is the Compassionate Allowances Program.
What’s the difference between these two programs?
The Compassionate Allowances Program is the faster of these two. Most people will receive benefits in two weeks to two months under the Compassionate Allowances program. The Social Security Administration maintains a list of conditions that qualify. The application system flags people who have qualifying conditions based on a special list.
The Quick Disability Determination program uses software to fast-track decisions based on the type of qualifying condition instead of only naming specific conditions. In some cases, the amount of medical evidence you provide with your application can speed up your claim.
People who are filing Social Security Disability applications should ensure they have everything filled out properly. Working with someone who’s familiar with these cases and the process that they go through can help you win approval and avoid a lengthy, troublesome appeal.