Some people still believe that Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia conditions only strike elderly people or at least those who are in their retirement years. That’s not true. Some conditions, like early-onset Alzheimer’s (sometimes known as young-onset dementia) can affect people as young as their 30s.
Any type of Alzheimer’s disease is progressive. By the time most people are aware that their cognitive issues aren’t just a result of getting older or having too much on their mind, it’s likely starting to affect their ability to do their job.
This can be an extremely frightening time for those suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s and their families. However, it’s crucial to start planning for your financial future. That’s where Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can make a big difference.
What is the CAL initiative?
You may have heard that applying (let alone being approved) for SSDI is a notoriously lengthy and difficult process. The Social Security Administration (SSA) expedites that process somewhat for those suffering from a number of irreversible and very serious conditions through their Compassionate Allowances (CAL) initiative.
Alzheimer’s disease as well as a number of other conditions that include dementia are covered under the CAL initiative. Among them are:
- Frontotemporal dementia (FTD)
- Lewy body dementia
- Primary progressive aphasia (PPA)
Even with the expedited approval process, you aren’t by any means guaranteed that you’ll have benefits as quickly as you need them. Applications still take some time to process. You’ll need to provide evidence of your condition and a lot of other information regarding the progress of the disease and how it affects you.
If the SSA isn’t satisfied with that information or if there are errors or omissions on the forms, you can face delays and possibly even a denial. You can help ensure that your application is approved as soon as possible or help overcome an initial denial by having experienced legal guidance.