Early-Onset in SSA Compassionate Allowances Initiative
In its effort to improve and expedite the disability determination process, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that it will add early-onset Alzheimer's disease to its Compassionate Allowances Initiative.
The initiative identifies debilitating diseases and medical conditions that meet the SSA's disability standards for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Inclusion in the initiative allows for faster payment of Social Security benefits to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
The Alzheimer's Association applauds Social Security commissioner Michael Astrue and the SSA for understanding that the cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer's disease leaves individuals unable to maintain gainful employment and deserving of an expedited disability determination.
Since 2003, the Association has been advocating on behalf of individuals with early-onset Alzheimer's as they navigate the Social Security disability determinations process, and we welcome the SSA's decision. Until now, individuals with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease have faced myriad challenges when applying for SSDI or SSI, including a long decision process, initial denials and multiple appeals. Today's decision will simplify and streamline the SSDI/SSI application process and decrease the wait time for benefits, which for some has lasted as long as three years.
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