Aphasia: among the list of disabilities given a compassionate allowance
Social Security Disability programs provide monetary assistance to disabled individuals who are unable to work. There are many different conditions that are disabling. Aphasia is one.
Social Security Disability programs provide monetary assistance to disabled individuals who are unable to work. What constitutes a disability, however, is wide ranging. Disabilities can be medical conditions, illnesses, and injuries. Some are more inconspicuous than others, such as aphasia.
Understanding aphasia
Aphasia is a medical condition that affects a person’s ability to comprehend language and communicate. It typically manifests after a brain injury such as a stroke, but the condition can also instigate from a tumor or infection.
Depending on the severity of the condition, aphasia sufferers will experience a host of symptoms. The most common include but are not limited to:
- Language comprehension
- Difficulty reading and writing
Difficulty retrieving names, words, or objects
Primary Progressive Aphasia
There are many categories of aphasia, depending on which area of the brain is affected. A more severe and rare type of aphasia is known as Primary Progressive Aphasia, or PPA.
Individuals with PPA usually experience a severe decline in speech and language comprehension over a 2 year period and eventually progresses to amnesia. During the late stages, PPA sufferers are unable to understand words or even speak. Gene variants are suspected to be the culprit of the condition but the exact cause is still uncertain.
Sadly, there is present no cure for the PPA. Most aphasia sufferers in advanced stages need day-to-day care.
The Compassionate Allowances Program
Conditions like aphasia and many other disorders are extremely debilitating. Fortunately, many who suffer from such conditions and cannot work can apply for Social Security Disability benefits. But some simply do not have the luxury of waiting a long time to receive benefits. Those who have applied for Social Security Disability benefits typically wait 6 months to 2 years, depending on the individual circumstances, to start receiving assistance.
Fortunately, the SSA has created the Compassionate Allowances program that allows individuals diagnosed with grave conditions, like PPA, to receive priority.
If an individual applying for Social Security Disability benefits has a condition on the CAL, it will received expedited service. Depending on the circumstances, approval typically takes only a couple of months.
Application assistance
Those diagnosed with aphasia or another disability who cannot work are encouraged to seek the assistance of a Social Security Disability attorney before beginning the application process. The procedures involved in applying for Social Security Disability benefits are complex; a minor mistake could easily result in an unnecessary delay. A lawyer can make sure all steps are followed and done according to the Social Security Administration’s requirements.
Keywords: Social Security disabilities, aphasia, benefits
