The Social Security Administration handles the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. Both of these programs provide individuals who have injuries or medical conditions that prevent them from being able to work for more than 12 months or are likely to result in death with an income so they can cover their basic needs.
The primary differences between these programs is that SSI doesn’t require a work history, but SSDI does. The process for applying for either of these programs can be lengthy; however, there are some individuals who have conditions that qualify them for fast tracked approval. This process is known as the compassionate allowances program.
How do compassionate allowances programs work?
A person who applies for SSI or SSDI has to list the qualifying conditions they’ve been diagnosed with. Once the application is submitted with a condition that’s on the compassionate allowances list, the application gets placed on the fast track process automatically.
It’s critical that anyone who has one of the conditions on the list clearly names it on their application. They should also include the qualifying documentation that helps with the approval process. This prevents the person from having to deal with delays as they produce the documentation.
Because the application process can be complex, it’s critical for anyone going through it to ensure they handle it correctly. Working with someone who’s familiar with this process may be beneficial so they can ensure they’re doing what’s necessary to get their application moving through it as swiftly as possible.