Social Security Adds Early-Onset Alzheimer's to "Compassionate Allowance" Program

There are currently an estimated 5.3 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease. Although the majority of Alzheimer cases are individuals age 65 and older, a significant number of people under age 65 are also affected by this disease, and have few financial options other than the Social Security disability program.

In its effort to improve and expedite the disability determination process, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that it will add early-onset Alzheimer's disease to its Compassionate Allowances Initiative. The initiative identifies debilitating diseases and medical conditions that meet the SSA's disability standards for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Inclusion in the initiative allows for faster payment of Social Security benefits to individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association has commended the SSA for understanding that the cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer's disease leaves individuals unable to maintain gainful employment, and that they are deserving of an expedited disability determination.

The Alzheimer's Association worked closely with the SSA to seek the inclusion of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Says Harry Johns, President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, "Now, individuals who are dealing with the enormous challenges of Alzheimer's won’t also have to endure the financial and emotional toll of a long disability decision process."

Since 2003, the Alzheimer's Association had been advocating on behalf of individuals with early-onset Alzheimer's as they navigated the Social Security disability determinations process. Until now, individuals with early-onset Alzheimer's disease have faced a myriad of challenges when applying for SSDI or SSI, including a long decision process, initial denials, and multiple appeals. The recent decision will simplify and streamline the SSDI/SSI application process and decrease the wait time for benefits, which for some has lasted as long as three years.

To determine which diseases and conditions to include, SSA held several public outreach hearings throughout the country that have included testimony from medical and scientific experts, as well as those directly affected by these diseases and conditions. During the July 2009 Compassionate Allowance Hearing on Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, the Alzheimer's Association, top Alzheimer's researchers, and caregivers and individuals with early-onset Alzheimer's discussed the challenges they had faced during the disability application process.

The Social Security Administration's proactive efforts to "fast track" certain conditions will help to reduce the backlog of disability claims and, more importantly, ensure those claims that fall under this initiative will be decided within days instead of months or years. "The diagnosis of Alzheimer's indicates significant enough cognitive impairment to interfere with daily living activities, including the ability to work. This decision will help a significant number of Alzheimer families," says Johns.

Source: The Alzheimer's Association, leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support, and research. For more information, visit www.alz.org.

Learn More

For more information about applying for the Compassionate Allowance for Alzheimer's disease, and for a list of other conditions which may qualify for an expedited decision, visit Social Security Online. 

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