We have talked many times about how long the Social Security disability process can take. Most people who continue to pursue disability benefits even after they are initially denied will end up waiting the better part of two years before a concrete decision is made of whether they are disabled and are entitled to benefits. There are exceptions to this rule and potential for expediting claims so they do not take this long, but there are never any positive reasons to expedite claims. Only the most dire conditions and circumstances can make someone eligible for expedited claims. Below we will go over all the possible scenarios where an applicant can possibly qualify for expedited processing.
Terminal Cases
It is not pleasant to talk about, but there are plenty of people out there who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness they are expected to succumb to within a short period of time. When this is the case Social Security is expected to expedite the processing of a disability claim and award benefits as soon as possible.
Service Connected Disabilities
This type of expedited processing of a disability claim does not automatically award Social Security disability benefits, but the Social Security Administration is supposed to process claims for those who have received 100 percent service connected disabilities from the military much faster and so they don’t have to wait the typical 12-15 months for a disability hearing.
Wounded Warriors
This is another provision for military personnel. In this category a service member does not have to have a 100 percent service connected disability rating from the Veteran’s Administration, but has to have been on active duty and suffered their disability on October 1, 2001 or later. Claims for people who fall into this category are expected to be treated similar to the disability suffered by service connected military personnel.
Compassionate Allowance
Social Security has compiled a list of more than 200 conditions thought to be serious enough, but not always life threatening, where expedited processing is called for. If the evidence clearly shows applicants meet the rules regarding these disabilities, they should be awarded benefits. If the evidence is not totally clear, these applicants may have to go to a hearing to decide if they are disabled, but should not have to wait the normal processing times. You can learn more about conditions on the compassionate allowance list by clicking here.
Dire Need
This expediting procedure really comes into play when an applicant has been denied twice and requests a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Social Security defines “Dire Need” to a situation where an applicant “cannot obtain food, medicine or shelter.” The applicant does not have to prove an inability to provide all three of these essential things, but does have to prove the inability to provide at least of these. Applicants who are unable to provide for these basic life necessitates are not expected to wait 12-15 months for a hearing.
Suicidal or Homicidal
The last category to expedite Social Security disability cases may be the trickiest one. If an applicant can show that they are a danger to themselves or someone else they technically qualify for expedited processing under Social Security’s rules. A way to try and prove such a condition will be complimented by some sort of records, whether they are hospital records, law enforcement records or some other form of records.
As you can see, it is not easy to qualify for expediting processing of a Social Security claim and even if you do qualify for one of the aforementioned conditions, you probably wish you wouldn’t.
To learn more about expediting claims click here.
