What Are Presumptive Benefits?

In my last blog post, I outlined what Compassionate Allowances were -- expedited decisions on applications for Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.

I also pointed out that Compassionate Allowances are not the same thing as Presumptive Benefits, which they are sometimes confused for and vice versa.

Presumptive Benefits

Presumptive Benefits are up to six months of Supplement Security Income (SSI) disability benefits paid to an applicant prior to an actual decision being made on their initial application, whereas Compassionate Allowances come about as the result of a quick, favorable decision.  In an earlier blog post, I covered what SSI benefits are and who might qualify for them.

The end result for both these processes is similar, in that some form of disability benefit starts flowing much quicker than it would in a normal favorable application process.

Just as the SSA has a list of ailments that may qualify an individual for Compassionate Allowances, it also has a list of diagnoses that may qualify a claimant for Presumptive Benefits.  Whether the claimant is eligible for Presumptive Benefits is determined after an application for SSI benefits is filed by either the local SSA office or later by the agency’s Disability Determination Service.

Fortunately, in a sense, if the SSA eventually determines that an applicant does not qualify for disability benefits, the Presumptive Benefits that have been distributed do not have to be paid back.

If you or your child have been denied SSA disability benefits or suffer from a severe impairment that is expected to last more than twelve months and that prevents you from doing any of your past or other work or is causing developmental delay in your child, please contact our office nearest to you to set up a free consultation appointment to discuss your situation.