We all get ill from time to time. This usually means taking time to rest, get prescriptions if needed and using over the counter and home remedies. With time, we tend to be as good as new. This is the case with lesser ailments. However, this is not the case for more serious health conditions. When a person is diagnosed with a serious illness, this likely causes a shock in their life. In some cases, the illness can impede a person’s ability to live their normal life, leave them unable to care for him or herself, leave the house or hold down a job.

In these cases, one is likely to face financial hardships. No matter his or her age or how much one has saved up, it is likely challenging to make ends meet. For individuals suffering from serious illness that are likely to shorten his or her life significantly, there are programs designed to provide financial assistance to them. The Social Security Administration started the compassionate allowance program as a means to provide assistance to those living with a terminal illness and other serious conditions.

What is the compassionate allowance program? This program was designed to ensure that those living with the most serious illnesses that qualify them for SSD benefits will quickly obtain these necessary funds. The conditions that qualify a person for the program include certain cancers, adult brain disorders and rare disorders that affect children.

The goal of this program is to reduce the time it takes to apply for these benefits and receive them. The idea is that some applicants do not have much time and should not spend that time waiting for their application to be approved or go through the appeals process.

Whether you are diagnosed with a serious or terminal illness, it is important to realize that there are ways to offset the financial hardships caused by a disabling illness. One should consider their options and whether they qualify for SSD benefits for their condition.