We hear so much about the lengthy wait Indiana residents and Americans across the United States must endure before they can receive Social Security disability (SSD) compensation.

According to Social Security Administration (SSA) reports, there are 760,000 people across the country waiting to find out if they will receive disability pay, and the waiting time averages about 19 months.

But for severe diseases, the SSA uses the system of Compassionate Allowances, which helps the agency to expedite benefits. On the list are some forms of cancer, adult brain conditions and a number of other disorders. The Compassionate Allowances program flags claims that have conditions that meet SSA standards for disability to expedite them.

The list consists of several dozen conditions, ranging from acute leukemia to Zellweger Syndrome. In all, there are 223 conditions on the list, which can be found on the SSA website, and include diseases that afflict children, as well, such as Tay Sachs.

The Compassionate Allowances program also make grants to researchers to help them zero in conditions that could be added to the list.

Social Security is paid through either the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSDI is for workers wo have paid into Social Security; SSI is for disabled people who have a limited income. In either case, if you are entitled to file for disability and gain access to payments to help you when you can’t work.

When you are facing a serious, life-threatening medical condition, you should focus on your health. An attorney well-versed in Social Security Disability can discuss the Compassionate Allowances program with you, answer questions and be a resource to you through the journey of filing for disability.