The Social Security Administration announced a program that could shorten the time it takes for seriously ill individuals to get their Social Security benefits.
The Compassionate Allowances initiative is a way to speed up the processing of disability claims for applicants whose medical conditions are so severe that their conditions obviously meet Social Security’s standards.
“This is something they’ve needed to do for a long time,” said Benelle Fitts with the Texoma Area on Aging.
Fitts — who helps her elderly clients weave their way through Medicare and Medicaid issues — said she’s seen individuals die before they could get their social security benefits.
“Sometimes people who have cancer (or other life-threatening conditions) will apply for benefits. They could wait up to 90 days or longer and sometimes pass away before they are approved,” Fitts said. “I think it’s great if they’ve got a program to expedite applications.”
“Getting benefits quickly to people with the most severe medical conditions is both the right and the compassionate thing to do,” said Michael J. Astrue, commissioner of Social Security. “This initiative will allow us to make decisions on these cases in a matter of days, rather than months or years.”
Social Security officials say they isolated 50 qualifying conditions for the initiative and will continue to add diseases and conditions. Of the list of impairments, 25 are rare diseases and 25 are cancer conditions.
Among the conditions on the current list are acute leukemia, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), certain types of brain tumors and inoperable cancers including liver or kidney cancers.
Before announcing the initiative, Social Security officials say they held public hearings to gather information from medical experts. The agency also said it enlisted the help of the National Institutes of Health.
Compassionate Allowances is the second phase of the agency’s two-track, fast-track system for certain disability claims. When combined with the agency’s Quick Disability Determination process, and once it is fully implemented, the system is expected to result in six to nine percent of disability cases being decided in an average of just six to eight days.
Jana Cockrell, alternate site delivery manager for Home Hospice of Cooke County, said she, too, believes the expedited process will likely be a positive step in helping people.
“We’re seen people (who probably can qualify for Medicare) waiting for benefits. Sometimes, they die before they can be approved,” she said. “It can take as long as two years to get benefits.”
But Cockrell said Home Hospice takes all seriously ill individuals into its programs regardless of whether or not they have insurance.
“The thing about us is that because Home Hospice of Cooke County is not-for-profit, we take everybody in spite of their ability to pay. That means we pay for care, for medications. We see this happening a lot. Patients are waiting for their Medicare and they have no insurance. These are the patients we take care of,” Cockrell said. “Anything that helps these people get their benefits is a good thing.”
Peter Saltonstall, president of the National Organization for Rare Disorders said the program took a relatively short time to develop.
“It has taken Social Security less than a year to develop this much-needed program that will benefit those whose claims merit expedited consideration based on the nature of their disease. Disability backlogs cause a hardship for patients and their families,” Saltonstall said.
To search the list of health conditions which could expedite the social security benefit application process, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.
Local News
Social Security changes rules
- Local News
-
-
Randy Travis arrested in Sanger
SANGER — Country singer Randy Travis was arrested Monday morning in Sanger on a charge of suspicion of public intoxication.
-
In Memory of Andy
Gainesville Middle School designated Monday as Andy’s Lakers Day, in honor of Andy Sandoval, a GMS seventh-grader, who recently died of a brain aneurysm.
-
GHS students take top place finishes at academic meet
Several Gainesville High School students had top place finishes at the Ryan High School academic meet on Saturday.
Sophomores Mark Clark and Alexander “Alex” Huerta lead the leap of GHS leopards competing. -
Gainesville woman hit by car
THACKERVILLE, OKLA. — A road collision early Sunday morning near Thackerville injured one female pedestrian, a Gainesville resident whose identification has not been released by officials.
-
Gainesville native fights for justice
IDABEL, Okla. — An Idabel, Okla. police officer — reeling from the death of his friend and fellow officer — is trying to beef up his state’s negligent homicide laws.
-
As deadline approaches, election day unclear
As the Texas primary election approaches, a muddle continues locally and statewide as to exactly when election day arrives.
-
House District 68 candidates present platforms
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second part of a two-part report.
Texas House District 68 representative opponents stressed their intentions to mend local problems via “rural values” during Thursday’s candidate forum -
Cooke County emerges out of drought
For residents in Cooke County, one of the most severe droughts in Texas history is no longer a concern — for the time being, anyway.
-
Souper Bowl a super success
The aroma of some dozen different homemade soups filled the air Sunday in the lunchroom at the First Christian Church in Gainesville.
-
A mother's Love
VALLEY VIEW — She’s a crusader for special needs children and their parents, but Valley View resident Wendi Tipps doesn’t think of herself as a hero.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Murder Trial for Ex-U.Va. Lacrosse Player Begins
NY Giants Touch Down Victorious
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
