Most people associate dementia with Alzheimer’s disease, which typically strikes people in their senior years after they’re retired. However, dementia is a symptom of a number of medical conditions that can affect people while they’re still in their working years. There’s even an “early-onset” type of Alzheimer’s that can affect people in their 40s and 50s.
Fortunately, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) covers people with a number of these conditions. In fact, those with these conditions can often qualify for expedited approval of their SSDI claims.
The importance of early, accurate diagnosis
Qualifying for SSDI can provide people with critical financial help if they’re no longer able to support themselves and their family due to their dementia. The first step is getting an accurate diagnosis.
Many people, particularly those not yet in their senior years, resist getting the necessary diagnostic testing for dementia-related conditions. Correct diagnoses can also take some time if a patient isn’t in the “typical” age range for a condition. A diagnosis can bring fear and hopelessness for what lies ahead. However, it’s critical to being able to make plans while you still can for your future care and support.
Conditions covered under the CAL initiative
The Social Security Administration (SSA), which oversees SSDI, has a program called the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) initiative. It expedites approval of claims for those who have irreversible medical conditions that prevent them from being able to support themselves. Among the dementia-related conditions it covers are:
- Early-onset Alzheimer’s
- Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
- Adult-onset Huntington disease
- Lewy body dementia
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
- Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)
- Primary progressive aphasia (PPA)
The list of conditions covered under the CAL initiative is always being updated.
It’s important to note that the SSA requires CAL initiative applicants or those representing them to complete forms and provide all requested medical records and other documentation of their condition and prognosis as well as how it affects their ability to earn a living.
When you need to start getting SSDI benefits as soon as possible, you can’t afford to make any unnecessary mistakes or omissions, and you don’t have time for unwarranted denials. That’s just one reason why it’s wise to have sound legal guidance throughout the application process.