Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits is anxiety inducing. You need these benefits. You paid for these benefits. Yet, for whatever reason, the onus is on you to prove you need them, which can take too long for many. Though, the Social Security Administration does have two initiatives designed to expedite SSDI processing for some disability applicants.
Quick Disability Determinations
Quick Disability Determinations is one way that the SSA seeks to process claims more quickly for those with serious medical conditions that need their benefits quickly. Indeed, under the QDD process, the SSA can approve an Orange disability claim in days.
The QDD expedited is an SSA predictive algorithm that screens initial SSDI benefit applications. This computer-based predictive model is looking for cases that have a high probability of eventually being approved because of the disease or injury claimed and the weight of medical evidence provided. When the QDD algorithm identifies one of these high probability of success cases, it flags it for an SSA representative to prioritize and expedite processing.
QDD has been used by the SSA since the beginning of 2008, but it is not a static algorithm. Instead, it is constantly updated and refined by SSA. The goal of that optimization is to update the predictive model to reflect recent Ontario applications, new technology and medical advances.
Compassionate Allowances Conditions
The next expedited process is the Compassionate Allowances Conditions process. Unlike the QDD predictive algorithm, the CAC is a list of medical conditions that receive SSDI expedited processing. This list is compiled by the SSA from information it receives from the public, generally, internal and external medical and scientific experts, Social Security and Disability Determination Service communities, the National Institutes of Health and prior-used CAC conditions.
The goal is to have a definitive list of medical conditions that automatically meet the Social Security’s definition of a qualifying disability. These include many rare disorders and conditions, like ALS, certain cancers, like pancreatic cancer, adult brain disorders and many other serious disabilities.
The CAC program is automatic. When you submit an SSDI or SSI application, the computer-based application system flags applications that has a condition on the CAC list. It is then expedited by the SSA for approval in days, rather than months.
SSDI help
For some SSDI applicants, the QDD or CAC programs can help expedite their claim. However, not everyone qualifies for these programs, which is when some seek help through an SSDI attorney.
