Q: Is there a way to expedite my SSDI application decision?
Qualifying for Social Security disability insurance (“SSDI”) benefits requires an applicant to satisfy the government’s definition of “disabled” which, according to the Social Security Administration, means “suffering from a physical or mental impairment that prevents engaging in substantial gainful activities and which has lasted or is expected to last for 12 months or more or resulting in death”. There is an extensive list of disorders and diseases that qualify including heart disease, multiple sclerosis, blindness, post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”), cancer, and many more. One may think it’s easy to check off a condition and quickly qualify for benefits.
But applying for Social Security disability benefits isn’t as easy as it seems and as we’ve previously reported on this blog, approximately two-thirds– or 66%– of all initial disability benefits applications are denied. While applicants can appeal a denial of benefits, the backlog in cases pending an appeal hearing can be in the two-year wait range. People are literally becoming homeless and/or dying while they wait for their appeal.
Is there a way to expedite the process? Well, yes, and no.
For those applicants unfortunate enough to be suffering from particularly apparent and devastating diseases or disorders that obviously meet the qualification of “disabled”, there may well be a faster path to approval. It’s called the Compassionate Allowance List (“CAL”). Its purpose is to quickly flag and process the applications of the very sickest applicants on a priority basis.
The CAL can fast-track SSDI applications for intended recipients with a disability that is “patently obvious and from a medical condition or disease already appearing on the Compassionate Allowance List”. Many are surprised to learn that there’s over 200 CAL diseases and disorders including certain cancers, ALS, and acute leukemia, to name a few.
No one can afford to wait when it comes to disability benefits, so many people choose to hire a skilled disability benefits attorney to assist with the initial application or appeal particularly for CAL-based applications.
If you need help with an initial application for SSDI or Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) disability benefits or appealing a denial of benefits, the disability attorneys of Arizona at Roeschke Law help you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
From our offices in Phoenix, Tempe, and Tucson, Arizona, we represent disabled clients throughout Arizona in all phases of the disability benefits process.