MANAGING CARE( continued)
Compassionate Allowances Source: Social Security Administration website
Compassionate Allowances( CAL) are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security’ s standards for disability benefits. PSP, CBD, MSA, and other brain disorders are on the list of conditions allowable for Compassionate Allowances. The CAL program helps reduce waiting time for a disability determination for individuals.
The Compassionate Allowances program identifies claims where the applicant’ s disease or condition clearly meets Social Security’ s statutory standard for disability. By incorporating cutting-edge technology, the agency can easily identify potential Compassionate Allowances. The Social Security Administration( SSA) uses the same rules to evaluate CAL conditions when evaluating both Social Security Disability Insurance( SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income( SSI) programs.
SSA receives information from the public, comments from the Social Security and Disability Determination Service communities, counsel from medical and scientific experts, research with the National Institutes of Health( NIH), and information from past public outreach hearings regarding potential CAL conditions. For more information on how to submit a potential CAL condition to the Social Security Administration, go to their website at www. ssa. gov / compassionateallowances or call 800-772-1213.
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The Social Worker’ s Role Diane Breslow, MSW, LCSW
Living with a chronic, progressive illness like PSP, MSA, or CBD can pose many different and changing challenges over a long period of time. Each of the diseases is“ family disease.” While one person may have the diagnosis, the whole family experiences the effects. Social workers play a key role in helping people with these diseases and their families to deal with those challenges and to navigate the healthcare system, community services, and the many feelings and situations encountered.
Because symptoms and abilities change over the years, many families find that what worked or helped at one point may not be the best option at another time. Whether you are seeking advice in managing the impact of disease progression or need help finding resources( such as a support group or new housing possibilities), talking with a social worker can be an important step in helping explore new options and creative ways of living well.
Why Social Work?
Social workers offer an important skill set and mindset. Social workers subscribe to the biopsychosocial model of assessment and care. That is, they are trained in the theory that individuals and families are a composite of complex physical( biological), emotional( psychological), family, and social / cultural aspects, all of which combine to play a role in behavior and relationships. Because the problems of neurodegenerative disease impact people in so many ways, disease management requires a comprehensive team approach: one that includes social workers and other allied healthcare professionals( physical therapist, speech