Many people think of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) as something that’s necessary when a person has a medical condition or disability that leaves them physically unable to work for an extended period or possibly permanently. However, conditions that seriously affect a person’s mental health or their cognition can also prevent them from working.
Take dementia. While some dementia-related conditions primarily affect people who are already in their retirement years, some versions of them can strike earlier than that. Fortunately, SSDI covers dementia-related conditions that take people out of the workforce. A number of these conditions are even included in the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) initiative.
Dementia-related conditions and the CAL initiative
The CAL initiative is a program within the Social Security Administration (SSA) that helps those suffering from a number of serious and irreversible conditions get their applications for SSDI as well as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits approved more quickly than they would otherwise be.
Among the dementia-related conditions covered under the CAL initiative are:
- Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
- Lewy body dementia
- Primary progressive aphasia (PPA)
- Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)
- Adult-onset Huntington disease
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
It’s important to note that medical conditions are regularly added to the list of qualifying conditions for the CAL initiative.
Even with the CAL initiative, there can be delays and denials
Being able to take advantage of the CAL initiative can help those dealing with serious conditions that, in many cases, aren’t expected to improve over time get the financial assistance they and their families need to help replace some of their lost income. However, the process isn’t necessarily seamless.
Delays and denials can still occur for any number of reasons. Sometimes, the SSA may need more complete or convincing medical documentation. Other times, simple errors or oversights on the application can delay approval. Having the right legal guidance can help ensure that critically needed benefits start arriving as soon as possible.