Social Security Administration Launch of Compassionate Allowances Process Will Fast Track Applications for People with Cancers and Rare Diseases…What does this mean for people with TM?

Sandy Hanebrink

The Commissioner of Social Security, Michael J. Astrue, announced the national rollout of the agency's Compassionate Allowances process. The purpose of Compassionate Allowances is to expedite the processing of disability claims for applicants whose medical conditions are so severe that their conditions obviously meet Social Security's standards. The process is designed to result in decisions being made in days, rather than months or years. Social Security is launching this expedited decision process with a total of 50 conditions. Over time, more diseases and conditions will be added. A list of the first 50 impairments -- 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers -- can be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances. (Thus far, ADEM, NMO, ON and TM are not listed).

Compassionate Allowances is the second piece of the Social Security Administration's two-track, fast-track system for certain disability claims. When combined with SSA's
Quick Disability Determination process, and once fully implemented, this two-track system could result in six to nine percent of disability claims, the cases for as much as a quarter million people, being decided in an average of six to eight days.

For anyone with TM who has paralysis, if the paralysis is listed in your medical records as permanent, you already fall under immediate processing instructions. Problems arise when physicians misdiagnose or list as temporary or non-static or possible MS with prognosis potential or prognosis unknown. This is the primary reason for initial denials along with what is known as "durational denial," because the person has filed too soon secondary to uncertain prognosis being documented.

The main point is to educate physicians about properly diagnosing TM and other rare neuroimmunologic disorders so that earlier approval of Social Security and other critical benefits can be made. When you apply for Social Security and other benefits, provide the medical records that best describe your condition and do not provide them with copies of records with conflicting information. You have to complete the medical forms and list all your information, but if you only give them what they need, many times they will not take the time or money to get other information. If you have information that documents your condition (especially if there is paralysis), then faster decision times are likely and you will have success in getting the benefits you need.

For more information on Social Security: www.socialsecurity.gov.

If you have questions or need some advocacy assistance, contact Sandy Hanebrink, OTR/L at (864)225-1356 or wheeldogs@charter.net (Diagnosed with TM since 1987).