A compassionate allowance is simply a fast-track way for you to obtain the disability benefits you need to maintain your finances during hard times. What a compassionate allowance does is tell you whether your specific disability qualifies for disability benefits with the outcome of saving you a significant amount of time during the disability benefits application process. Talk to a Philadelphia individual disability insurance lawyer to find out more.  

Who Qualifies for Compassionate Allowances?

While a compassionate allowance sounds great, you will want to figure out whether you qualify for a compassionate allowance to save time in the long run. Knowing whether you qualify can help you better prepare for what could come in the disability benefits process and might be able to help you anticipate potential financial difficulties that could arise if you do not qualify for a compassionate allowance. 

Compassionate allowances aim to help you figure out exactly which medical conditions and disabilities automatically qualify you for disability insurance under the regulations of the Social Security Administration (SSA). Not only will this save you time, but can also decrease your chances of a financial disaster if you are desperate need of disability benefits sooner than later. This option was created with the intention of helping people with the most severe types of disabilities who cannot wait to receive benefits.

The way compassionate allowances work is they use technology to search and identify which diagnosed disabilities meet the exact standards of the SSA. Common examples of conditions that usually fit these standards are certain types of cancer and brain disorders. 

Types of Disability Benefits

There are two main types of disability benefits programs provided by the SSA. These include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both SSDI and SSI programs work with the compassionate allowance program to provide people with benefits. 

However, there are major differences between SSDI and SSI programs in terms of your eligibility. SSDI programs are only offered for people who have worked a certain number of years because they operate by taking money from the social security you paid to the government through your job. Without an adequate work history that significantly contributed to social security, you will not be able to apply for SSDI.

If this fits your situation, then your other option is to apply for SSI, a program that does not require a significant work history. SSI helps people based on their financial need, which means you can still qualify for SSI if you are still able to work some hours. Regardless of whether you can still work or not, SSI provides people with a monthly income and the only qualification you need is an income that lies below a specified amount. Private disability programs are another option. 

Disability Insurance Lawyer in Philadelphia 

Applying for disability benefits is an arduous task to take on. Feel free to seek help from a Philadelphia disability attorney when you find yourself confused or stuck. Contact Edelstein & Nelson at 1-800-300-0909 for a consultation today. Our team of disability insurance attorneys can investigate your claim to increase your chances of receiving benefits.