Presumptive disability benefits are benefits that are provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) when a disability applicant submits a disability claim for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The SSA may determine the eligibility for SSI benefits according to the severity of the disability which can take several months.
The SSA provides two fundamental benefit programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI. Among these, SSI provides financial support to disabled individuals. This program is beneficial for those individuals who have a limited source of income and less than $2,000 countable resources if you are single and $3,000 countable resources if you are a couple.
People who are struggling with a presumptive disability will get payments quickly in comparison to a regular SSI claim. The Disability Determination Services (DDS) will analyze your complete SSI application and will make a final decision based on the eligibility. A disability applicant may receive up to 6 months of payments as they wait for DDS to give the final verdict.
Conditions That Qualify As Presumptive Disabilities
Several different conditions are considered presumptive disabilities, including:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Blindness
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- End-stage renal disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
In the United States, the Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains a list of presumptive disabilities.
If you have a presumptive disability, you may be able to apply for disability benefits through the SSA. To qualify for benefits, you will need to meet certain income and asset requirements.
You will also need to provide medical evidence that supports your claim. If you are approved for disability benefits, you will receive a monthly payment from the SSA. The amount of your payment will depend on your age, work history, and other factors.
Which Of These Would Not Be Considered a Presumptive Disability?
The loss of an arm or leg will not be considered a presumptive disability. These are not considered presumptive as they may not always be caused due to risks involved in the job. It is a complex procedure to establish a link between leg or arm disability with the workplace. However, getting help from a disability attorney may help you to determine whether loss of leg or arm is considered presumptive or not.
How To Apply For Presumptive Disability
To apply for presumptive disability, you must first file a disability claim with the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can apply online at www.ssa.gov, over the phone by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local SSA office.
When you apply for disability benefits, you should inform the SSA that you believe you have a disability. The SSA will review your medical records and may request additional information from your healthcare providers to determine if you meet the requirements for disability.
If the SSA determines that you have a presumptive disability, you may be eligible for a temporary disability payment while your disability claim is being processed. The amount of the payment will be based on your average monthly earnings and the number of dependents you have.
It is important to note that not all medical conditions qualify for presumptive disability, and the specific conditions that do qualify may vary by state and may change over time. If you have questions about whether your medical condition qualifies for disability, you should contact the SSA for more information.
How Can a Presumptive Disability Help You Get Social Security Benefits?
When a disability applicant applies for SSI benefits, the SSA may take up to 3 to 4 months to review the claim and give the final decision. They will analyze whether you are an appropriate candidate and eligibility for a disability. The Disability Determination Services (DDS) will make a decision.
When the SSA analyzes and makes the decision, you may need financial support. The Social Security Administration’s presumptive disability program may help you at this time. When you file an SSI presumptive claim and SSA determines that you are struggling with presumptive blindness or presumptive disability, they will give you benefits right away. These payments are for a lifetime until a final decision is given and may continue for up to 6 months.
If the applicant has been granted the benefits at a later stage, they may repay the money that was sent to them. You need to submit the evidence of your presumptive disability including financial needs, and severity of your medical condition which will determine the likelihood of your claim.
Presumptive Disability vs. Compassionate Allowance Condition
As already mentioned above, an applicant struggling with a presumptive disability will get SSI payments immediately if they qualify. However, this is not the only means to receive the expedited Social Security Disability Benefits. There is another option known as Compassionate Allowance Condition (CAL). It is a condition that may help you get the benefits quickly as they are severe.
CALs are ailments that are mentioned in the SSA’s Listing of Impairments and require minimal medical information to qualify. Some conditions may include acute leukemia, different types of cancer, and other severe disorders. CAL condition means that your SSDI or SSI benefits will be approved quickly. Presumptive disability benefits may help only the SSI applicants while CAL conditions may be similar for both disability benefits programs i.e. SSDI and SSI.
Presumptive Disability Benefits For Veterans
VA disabilities are disabilities that are caused when you are in military service. They may be caused by the unique situation of a specific military service. In case a presumptive disability is diagnosed in a veteran they may be given disability compensation.
Some VA disabilities that are presumptive are as follows:
- Asthma diagnosis after military service
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Chronic rhinitis
- Chronic bronchitis
- Chronic sinusitis
- Granulomatous disease
- Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis
- Emphysema
Talk To An Attorney For Your Social Security Disability Benefits Claim
It can be complex to apply for Social Security Disability Benefits. You need to know whether you must apply for SSDI, SSI, or both. If you want benefits faster, you need to prove that you have a presumptive disability or qualify for Compassionate Allowances Condition (CAL).
In such a scenario, taking help from a Social Security Disability Lawyer may be of great help. They may support you by telling you the entire legal process and may get your disability claim started as soon as possible.