The more that we learn about dementia conditions, the more we’re aware that they can strike adults who aren’t yet in their senior years. That’s even true of Alzheimer’s disease. Early Onset Alzheimer’s generally affects people in their 40s and 50s (and occasionally even younger).
By the time someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other form of dementia, they’ve likely been experiencing noticeable cognitive decline. Because many of these conditions are progressive and currently don’t have a cure, someone who’s been diagnosed with dementia may have to stop working many years before they intended to – or can afford to.
How can SSDI’s CAL initiative help?
If that’s the case, a person can qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. In fact, these conditions typically qualify for benefits under SSDI’s Compassionate Allowances (CAL) initiative. This program provides expedited approval of applications for those with serious and/or people who have serious and irreversible conditions.
The CAL initiative covers numerous types of dementia, in addition to Early Onset Alzheimer’s. These include:
- Adult-onset Huntington disease
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
- Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
- Lewy body dementia
- Primary progressive aphasia (PPA)
- Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)
The list of conditions that qualify under the CAL initiative is updated all the time, so it’s always wise to get the most current complete list.
Even with a condition that qualifies for CAL, approval of the initial application isn’t guaranteed. Many applications are rejected for things like errors, omissions and inconsistencies or other issues that can be avoided when someone who understands the application and approval process is involved. By getting legal guidance, you improve your chances of beginning to get the benefits you need as soon as possible.