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WHAT AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFIES FOR DISABILITY IN ALABAMA (SSDI)?

 WHAT CONDITIONS QUALIFY FOR AUTOMATIC DISABILITY IN AL?

Very few conditions automatically qualify for Social Security benefits anywhere.  There are a few exceptions:

 1.  One of the more than 200 impairments on the Compassionate Allowances list will qualify with appropriate medical documentation.

 https://www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/conditions.htm

 2.  End stage renal disease

3.    Stage 4 Cancer (in most cases)

 4. Any terminal illness.

All impairments/conditions must have a definite diagnosis by an "acceptable medical source," which usually means a licensed Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or a similarly qualified professional.

It is helpful to obtain doctor's records where the condition was diagnosed--and submit them with your claim.  Include any diagnostic tests that identified the disease--MRI reports, CT  reports, lab tests or biopsy results, etc.  

The medical evidence you submit should show the start date of the disabling condition.  

It will be helpful for the claimant to obtain these documents and send them to Social Security with (or shortly after) the application for benefits.

If a condition truly qualifies for automatic payment of benefits, submitting the required medical evidence will expedite the process and may get a payment within 30 to 60 days, instead of the usual 10 to 12 months.

It will help to contact your LOCAL Social Security field office and let them know you have a disability qualifying for expedited claim processing. (*) They will let you know exactly what is needed for your claim.

Keep in mind there is a 5 months waiting period on SSDI claims.  Social Security does not play the first 5 full months of a disability--even if it is terminal or on the list of Compassionate Allowances.  Therefore, proving when the impairment first manifested itself may help you with the waiting period and get a benefit payment sooner--or might even result in back pay.  This, penning down the start date of the disease will be important in determining when your benefit starts.

Here Are Some Social Security Field Office Phone Numbers

(*)  The Decatur Social Security office number is (888) 289-9185

        Huntsville Phone (866) 593-0665

        Albertville Phone (800) 521-0073

        Florence Phone (855) 884-3407

        Birmingham Phone (866) 592-3734

        Nashville Phone (877) 808-5461

        Lawrenceburg, TN Phone (877) 405-5866 (Serves Giles County, too)

        Columbia, TN Phone (877) 876-3174

        Chattanooga, TN Phone (866) 964-0029

 


         

 

 



 

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