Lou Gehrig disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, is one of Social Security’s “compassionate allowances” according to The State Journal Register.
May is national ALS Awareness month. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spine. Each year more than 5, 600 people are newly diagnosed with ALS.
People who have ALS meet the medical criteria for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
The Compassionate Allowances program, which was started in 2008, identifies claims where the nature of the applicant’s disease meets the statutory standard for disability and can be based on objective medical information that can be obtained quickly.
Social Security announced 52 new Compassionate Allowances conditions to the growing lists of severe medical conditions that qualify for expedited medical decisions. They include many neurological disorders, such as ALS, cancers, and rare diseases.
Based on minimal medical information, Compassionate Allowances allow Social Security Disability to quickly identify the most obviously disabled individual for allowances.
With the new ones added, the Compassionate Allowances list is now up to 165 diseases.
That list continues to grow as Social Security, the National Institutes of Health, and patient organizations help identify new conditions that clearly warrant quick approvals.
If you or someone you know needs help with Social Security Disability benefits, contact the Social Security Disability lawyers at Newlin Disability.
