People generally think of dementia as something that people develop in their senior years, often after they’ve retired. That’s not always the case.
There are a number of dementia-related conditions that can strike people in their 40s or younger. There’s even an “early-onset” form of Alzheimer’s that can affect people’s cognitive abilities in middle age or earlier. The progressive condition frontotemporal dementia (FTD) that actor Bruce Willis suffers from generally occurs when people are anywhere from their mid-40s to mid-60s.
It can take considerable time between when a person first begins to suffer cognitive decline and when they seek a medical evaluation — and even longer before the precise condition is diagnosed. In the meantime, it can become increasingly difficult to work.
The CAL initiative
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) covers a number of dementia-related conditions. Further, those diagnosed with one of these conditions typically can qualify for SSDI’s Compassionate Allowances (CAL) initiative, which lets them receive expedited benefits.
The CAL initiative, which covers a number of serious and irreversible medical conditions, currently includes the following dementia-related conditions (in addition to the two discussed above):
- Lewy body dementia
- Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)
- Adult-onset Huntington disease
- The ALS Parkinsonism Dementia Complex
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
The list of medical conditions included under the CAL initiative is updated regularly. Even with a qualifying condition, however, there’s no guarantee that there won’t be a delay in getting benefits.
Many of these delays are preventable if the application is submitted correctly with the appropriate medical documentation. Something as simple as a missing answer can slow things down. Whether you’re preparing to submit an application for a loved one or are dealing with a denial or unexplained delay, having legal guidance can help you get the necessary benefits.