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Social Security Expands Compassionate Allowances Conditions
Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced 13 new Compassionate Allowances conditions involving the immune system and neurological disorders. The Compassionate Allowances program fast-tracks disability decisions to ensure that Americans with the most serious disabilities receive their benefit decisions within days instead of months or years. Commissioner Astrue made the announcement during his remarks at the U.S. Conference on Rare Diseases and Orphan Products in Washington, D.C.
“Social Security handles more than three million disability applications each year and we need to keep innovating and making our work more efficient,” Commissioner Astrue said. “With our Compassionate Allowances program, we quickly approved disability benefits for more than 60,000 people with severe disabilities in the past fiscal year. We have made significant improvements, but we can always do more.”
The Compassionate Allowances initiative identifies claims where the nature of the applicant’s disease or condition clearly meets the statutory standard for disability. With the help of sophisticated new information technology, the agency can quickly identify potential Compassionate Allowances and then quickly make decisions.
Social Security launched the Compassionate Allowances program in 2008 with a list of 50 diseases and conditions. The announcement of 13 new conditions, effective in December, will increase the total number of Compassionate Allowances conditions to 113. The conditions include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, a number of rare genetic disorders of children, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and other disorders.
The agency announced a small grant program for graduate students that will help Social Security improve its list and has recently awarded an approximately $1.5 million grant over a five-year period to Policy Research, Incorporated (PRI) through the Disability Determination Process Small Grant Program. This new program aims to improve the disability process through innovative research by graduate students who will receive small stipends for their work. In addition, the agency recently streamlined its online disability application for people who have a condition on the Compassionate Allowances list.
For more information on the Compassionate Allowances initiative, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.
New Compassionate Allowances Conditions
Malignant Multiple Sclerosis
Paraneoplastic Pemphigus
Multicentric Castleman Disease
Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma
Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Primary Effusion Lymphoma
Angelman Syndrome
Lewy Body Dementia
Lowe Syndrome
Corticobasal Degeneration
Multiple System Atrophy
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
The ALS/Parkinsonism Dementia Complex
I am a 51 year old divorced male with two wonderful children and two grandchildren. In May 1979 I entered the United States Navy as a way of serving my country. My intention was not to get free college or other tangible benefits but rather, to simply give of my time and self to serve my country.
After my honorable under medical conditions discharge my life's roller coaster began. First let me state clearly that I did not want to be discharged. However, due to my many medical conditions, the United States Navy felt it was in their best interest to part ways.
I received approximately $13,000.00 as a severance package but soon found out that as a result of being identified as Service-Connected, I had to repay the $13,000.00 out of any benefits that I would receive through the Veterans Administration.
This is to make others aware that the severance pay an individual receives from a medical discharge is not severance pay at all. Rather, it is a loan that must be paid back through the use of service-connected funds one may or may not receive.
Additionally, I am in remission from lymphoma. Shortly after my bout with lymphomas, I had what is known as a Roux-en-Y Bariatric surgery to reduce my weight. At the time of my surgery, I weighed 365 pounds. I now weigh between 235 to 250 pounds depending on the week that I have. This is the result of chronic vomiting and nausea of which the medical field is unable to treat.
The main problem that led to this daily routine was a botched gall bladder surgery in which my bowel was unknowingly nicked resulting in a tear.
You may believe this is inconsequential; however, I have had nine surgeries where abscesses had to be cleaned and drained to rid my body of infection. This was no easy path. Each surgery resulted in an open wound which had to be packed with clean gauze three times daily.
Imagine an open wound approximately five inches in width and as deep as four inches. The old gause would be removed in hopes of removing more infection and then repacked with a giant Q-tip repacking the entire wound with fresh gauze. This took place daily for weeks upon weeks with nothing to lighten the pain around the open incision. This lasted on and off for nearly three years.
Upon my departure from the United States Navy, the Veteran's Administration stated that I was 10% service-connected; the Veterans Administration demoted my disability from 20% to 10%. This was my first clue that I would have a long drawn out struggle with my health, the Veterans Administration, and future employment.
Since my departure from the United States Navy, I have had twenty-nine surgeries on my legs. This is no exaggeration. The surgeries finally culminated in two total knee replacements in my left leg, and one total knee replacement in my right leg.
With the constant surgeries, my back suffered a great deal of damage in the lower section. My back is now labeled as degenerative disc disease aggravated by my inability to ambulate correctly.
Another result, which is much more emotionally damaging, is that I have fell into a trap of drug dependency so that I can simply get out of bed and ambulate as much as possible. Regretfully, this has led to the necessity of using a scooter to get around stores, to get around the neighborhood, and to visit areas of interest.
Continuing down the spiral, the asthma that I was service-connected with has further developed into emphysema. The Veterans Affairs refuses to agree that my asthma has worsened and grown into emphysema. Ironically, the Veterans Administration gives little credence if any to their own physicians. I am asked at nearly every appointment as to whether the Veterans Administration has moved me to the 100% bracket. Sadly, my response continues to be negative.
As it stands now, I am considered permanently disabled by the Social Security Department as totally disabled. This is in part, due to my service-connected disabilities, and my Parkinson's disease. Regretfully, my prognosis is not any better. I am currently in remission from Multicentric Castlemans Disease which the Veterans Administration refuses to service-connect me even though substantial proof exists that working around avionics fluids and living aboard a ship can be contributing factors.
It is extremely difficult to get around the home on the scooter that I have. It is not conducive to moving about the home.
When it becomes necessary to go upstairs for showers and bed, I am forced to slide up 17 stairs on my rear-end so that I do not fall again and again down the stairs as I have done on several occasions.
Of course, my medications are free through the Veterans Administration but with their guidelines. Step out of line in any area, miss an appointment and I am threatened with the Veterans Administration removing my service-connection, and refusal to supply any new medications.
The Veterans Administration was kind enough to purchase me a scooter and necessary lifts for my vehicle and to get up from the ground to the porch. I do not qualify for any in-home improvements such as a safer shower and bathroom. Nor do I qualify for a chair lift to get up and down the stairs.
Approximately 95% of the time I am forced to be driven due to the medication and Parkinson's disease. It is often unsafe for me to drive as I place others’ lives in peril as well as my own.
I have fought for nearly 33 years to supply the needs of my family even as my health deteriorated. As mentioned previously, I have had several surgeries. One contributing factor was that I was unable to take the time off of work to properly and fully heal before returning back to work. I simply did not have enough sick days so an several occasions I would be released from the hospital only to go into work the following day.
I completely used up all of my annuities and savings to keep on top of the bills but to no victory. I lost my home to foreclosure in 2005 due to my inability to generate enough income to make my house payments.
Besides my Service-Connected funds, I also receive Adult Disability Social Security. However, I am unable to receive Medicare until I have been on disability for two full years. This regretfully makes me rely completely on the Veterans Administration for my healthcare, which at times, is putrid in its delivery and services.
Because I am unable to work, I must stretch these funds to help my parents, my daughter with two grandchildren (after being kicked out of their home due to my soon-to-be ex-son-in-law’s extramarital affairs and physically abusive nature).
The biological or legally adopted child(ren) of a disabled veteran may be eligible for remission of fees (free tuition) at any state-supported post secondary school or university in the State of Indiana.
All students must submit a copy of their birth certificate or legal adoption papers with their application. Applications submitted without approriate documentation will be returned to the student
Note to legally adopted children: This applies at any age as long as the child was adopted by age 24 and the child is a resident of Indiana.
The Remission of Fees is good for 124 semester hours of education and may be used for either undergraduate or graduate level work. The amount remitted is 100% of tuition and all mandatory fees. However, tuition and regularly assessed fees for graduate students will only be paid at the undergraduate rates charged by the school.
For Example:
Undergraduate tuition at state school is $300 per credit hour
Graduate school tuition at state school is $500 per credit hour
Student would then be responsible for $200 per credit hour
The term "mandatory fees" is defined as any fee that must be paid by every student attending the institution. Ref: IC 21-14-4-1, IC 10-5-16.5-3.
Eligibility Rules for Remission of Fees
1.The veteran must have served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during a period of wartime, and must have been a resident of the State of Indiana (filed state income taxes) for not less than 36 consecutive months during his/her lifetime.
And:
2.The veteran must be declared to be service-connected disabled with a rating of 0% or greater by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Department of Defense (if the Department of Defense, the veteran must supply official documentation).
Or:
3.The veteran received a Purple Heart Medal.
(Official documentation of the award is required.)
Or:
4.The veteran was a resident of Indiana at the time of entry into the service and was declared a POW or MIA after January 1, 1960.
Or:
5.The student was a veteran-related pupil at the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home.
Applications:
http://www.in.gov/dva/2378.htm
YES I am stressed out over money!! I never was before until a con man came into my life and got me over an extra $100,000 in debt. I am a single mom who does not get help from the "father", he could care less if his son was left out in the cold. I just have tooo may bills this month. My property taxes are higher than they have ever been, home owners insurance is almost $550.00 and vehicle insurance is $625.00. There is no way to pay all of that plus all the other bills that my ex got me into. He always would convince me that he would pay the bill, but put it in my name bacause his credit would not be good enough. Well, I am a very trusting person. When someone says that they are in love with you, you believe them. This whole scam went on for 6 years. I am not the only one he scammed, he conned a lot of people here in town too, but I think that I got the worst of it all. My son will have no Christmas for the second year in a row. I just can't help but to cry all the time. I have tried ALL of the refinancing deals since I am a Veteran and they want 3 compairables. You can't get that in this small town, but they don't care, they just say "well, sorry we can't help you." I need help for the first time in my life. I am such a giver and have never had to be a taker. I don't like to ask for help, it makes me feel like I failed as a person. BUT, here I am asking "begging" for help. If you can SERIOUSLY help me, please let me know. Thank you and May God Bless, Shawneen
I am a 100% disabled veteran and a single mother. I just got scammed big time by my ex who ended up taking me for a little over $164,000. Before he came into our lives, I had no problems with bills. Now, I have no idea what I am going to do. There will definitely be no Christmas this year!!! I am facinf foreclosure on my house and I can't have that happen. Where would we go? I have no family left. I cry every single day because I am so scared of losing my home. If anybody can help me out, I would appreciate it soooo much. I have always helped people my whole life, now it is my turn.
My name is Derek I am a 27 year old 80% US Army Disabled Combat Veteran from the Iraq invasion 2003-2004. I am haveing alot of problems holding down a job since my dishcharge due to my service connected disabilities. The VA has suggested having me admitted inpatient into a specail program. I have also applied for Individual Unemployability throught the VA. Waiting for this to be apporved is making me fall behind in my bills and am finding it very hard to take care of my wife and two young daughters. I need any donations I can get to help pay my bills. You can send your donations to 26 Amherst Rd. Massena, Ny 13662. I can provide any proof needed. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
does anyone know anyone that will give a disabled vet help on getting a vehicle so i can finish school to learn a trade so i can try going back to work right now i try to make it on less than 500 a month and if i can get to school my college is paid for?
