Disability Programs That Can Help To Fast-Track Your Application
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a person who is disabled is impaired mentally or physically and is unable to perform one or many life tasks. If you are an individual who cannot work because of a medical or mental illness, then you are considered disabled. You likely are eligible for disability benefits. However, you will need to file a disability claim and go through the determination process. This process is quite lengthy for some, and you may need to wait several years before you actually receive benefits. If you want to try to get disability payments more quickly, then you can work with an attorney at a law firm like The Nelson Law Firm LLC. You also can try to apply through the following programs.
Quick Disability Determination
The Quick Disability Determination (QDD) program is a fast-tracked method of claim processing that helps to award disability to individuals who are obviously disabled. While the QDD program is used to award disability quickly to the people who need it most, you cannot exactly apply for QDD consideration. QDD is the only fast-track disability program you cannot apply for outright. The program involves a sophisticated computer system that electronically flags applications that are likely to be approved for disability on the first round of approvals.
A variety of factors are considered by the computer system when an application is picked for QDD. Once this happens, the application is considered by a disability examiner. You may not be able to actively apply for QDD, but you can try to make your application more likely to be chosen for fast-track acceptance. Make sure to electronically apply for disability, provide complete medical records, and also give an exact date as to when your disability started. If you do these things, then you may get a QDD determination within 20 days.
Terminal Illness Program
If you have an ailment that is likely to result in your death, then you can go through an expedited disability process called the TERI program. This program also identifies disabilities that are considered untreatable. However, you should understand that this does not mean that you are going to die within a few days or even months. While the TERI program does include some ailments that can cause death within a short period of time, chronic ailments are also considered under the TERI program.
If you have a widespread, inoperable, or stage IV cancer, then you can file a TERI application. This is also true if you have AIDS, ALS, or if you are in heart failure. The program also applies to certain types of cancer, regardless of the stage. Lung transplant patients can file TERI applicants as well.
To be eligible, a third-party individual must state that you are terminally ill. This person may be a friend, family member, or a hospice worker. Doctors can also indicate that you have an untreatable condition. Doctor statements are best, so work with your lawyer to fill out paperwork and to acquire the statements. Applications can be filed through the TERI program. However, this is not required. Like QDD applications, your paperwork will be flagged in the disability computer system and assessed with your condition in mind.
Presumptive Disability Program
Sometimes you can start to receive disability benefits before your application is fully processed. This can happen through the presumptive disability program. This program presumes that you are disabled based on your diagnosis. Benefits are then provided to you while an examiner looks over your application. This helps to reduce your financial and mental burden, since some disability claims can take some time to fully process.
If you have a presumptive disability, you will still need to file the appropriate applications and provide the necessary documents that any other applicant would need to. However, if you forget medical records or other types of proof, you will retain your benefits as you gather these things. Presumptive disabilities include ailments like blindness, amputations, mental retardation, deafness, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, and Down syndrome.
Share