I found an article or press release that may be of assistance to many of you.
Social Security Expands Compassionate Allowances Conditions
Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced 13 new Compassionate Allowances conditions involving the immune system and neurological disorders. The Compassionate Allowances program fast-tracks disability decisions to ensure that Americans with the most serious disabilities receive their benefit decisions within days instead of months or years. Commissioner Astrue made the announcement during his remarks at the U.S. Conference on Rare Diseases and Orphan Products in Washington, D.C.
“Social Security handles more than three million disability applications each year and we need to keep innovating and making our work more efficient,” Commissioner Astrue said. “With our Compassionate Allowances program, we quickly approved disability benefits for more than 60,000 people with severe disabilities in the past fiscal year. We have made significant improvements, but we can always do more.”
The Compassionate Allowances initiative identifies claims where the nature of the applicant’s disease or condition clearly meets the statutory standard for disability. With the help of sophisticated new information technology, the agency can quickly identify potential Compassionate Allowances and then quickly make decisions.
Social Security launched the Compassionate Allowances program in 2008 with a list of 50 diseases and conditions. The announcement of 13 new conditions, effective in December, will increase the total number of Compassionate Allowances conditions to 113. The conditions include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, a number of rare genetic disorders of children, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and other disorders.
The agency announced a small grant program for graduate students that will help Social Security improve its list and has recently awarded an approximately $1.5 million grant over a five-year period to Policy Research, Incorporated (PRI) through the Disability Determination Process Small Grant Program. This new program aims to improve the disability process through innovative research by graduate students who will receive small stipends for their work. In addition, the agency recently streamlined its online disability application for people who have a condition on the Compassionate Allowances list.
For more information on the Compassionate Allowances initiative, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.
New Compassionate Allowances Conditions
Malignant Multiple Sclerosis
Paraneoplastic Pemphigus
Multicentric Castleman Disease
Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma
Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
Primary Effusion Lymphoma
Angelman Syndrome
Lewy Body Dementia
Lowe Syndrome
Corticobasal Degeneration
Multiple System Atrophy
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
The ALS/Parkinsonism Dementia Complex
I AM A VERY PROUD MOMMY! I HAVE 2 BEAUTIFUL KIDS(MY OXYGEN AND MY BLOOD) whom i am raising by myself after being divorced for almost 2 years. i am unable to work but i am forever grateful to my ex-husband, for his attempt to financially help with the kids to the best of his ability, whenever he can( he lives in the caribbean, and do not make that much money).i want to give my kids a much better life than i had( with no father, no running water, no electricity, no indoor bathroom and never pushed a grocery cart; only buying enough at a time for today's dinner)! however, God provided, that my siblings and I never went hungry(not that i can recall). i love my mommy, she's an angel and she did her best!(tears)!!God has brought me from a mighty long way! He has blessed me indeed(especially compared to where i came from, or when i read others comments or even when i look around). i am Grateful to my faithful God! and that has led me in my decision to follow Him whole-heartedly. therefore, i receive no additional help(as i once could from *boyfriend*). im denied food stamps, so thats an additional burden. i have the neccessities like my own place and electric( and my God i am so thankful!)..but i have no clue as to how they are going to be paid...my biggest problem right now( after turning the cable off and only keeping the internet) is I HAVE A 15 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT GETS WET ON THE INSIDE WHEN IT RAINS(A CONVERTIBLE). EXHAUST IS BAD and IT NEEDS TIMING (BOTH PARTS I PURCHASED more than 2 MONTHS AGO, ARE IN THE TRUNK BECAUSE I DONT HAVE THE FIRST PENNY TO PAY THE MECHANIC). AND NOW THE CAR SQUEAKS AND GRINDS SO LOUDLY(I ROLL UP THE WINDOWS, TURN THE GOSPEL UP LOUD, TO AVOID HEARING THE UNBEARABLE NOISE) I NEED 2 LOWER CONTROL ARMS w/*BALL JOINTS*. I DONT HAVE A CLUE WHAT AND HOW IM GONNA GET THRU THIS! JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, I AM COUNTING ON MY FAITHFUL GOD TO LET HIS WILL BE DONE IN EVERYTHING! MY HOPE AND HELP COMES FROM HIM...and if anyone knows of a Godly spirited person (or if you're a mecahnic)who would love to help, please reply! God continue to bless all of you, and i am going to continue to pray for this site and the members as well as for the world! UNTIL THE WHOLE WORLD HEARS! Psalms 46:1 and Jeremiah 29:11! i love you all! thank you very much!
In as much as I'm generally a positive person and try to stay upbeat about things in general, I'm facing some real harsh realities that some of my friends may not know about. I hate to be one of "those people," but in trying to do the right things it's hard to stay focused when dealing with certain life issues.
I'm a single dad who has my six year old son half of the time. I also have two older children who for the most part are on their own. In the last couple of years I have been through a divorce, bankruptcy, and am in the process of either losing my house to short sale or foreclosure. At the advice of my realtor, I moved out of the house several months ago and am renting another house. Then, a couple of months ago, I lost my job with AAA. I have once again fallen behind on my bills, and it's hard to maintain everything. I do my best not to completely stress out, but it's human nature to do so. While looking for another job I've taken it upon myself to be proactive and make things happen, so I've started my own advertising business with restaurant placemats. It's slow going so far, but I feel good about the future. In the meantime, however, it's "pick and choose" over which bill is most important, what needs to be paid before being cut off, keeping my car from being repossessed, etc.
My biggest issue besides the car is with the house I am currently in. I'm a couple months behind on my rent and have been told by the landlord that unless I'm caught up by December, I have to move out after the Holidays. And I just don't know where I'm going to come up with it. I'm desparately trying to make things happen, but I'm running out of time.
The total amount of money I need is very high, and I would not expect to be completely "bailed out," but if I could at least get help with either my rent, my car, or both, that would relieve me of so much pressure! I've actually approached a couple of professional organizations who have told me that there are no additional funds, and some large church organizations have told me that I wouldn't be eligible for help because I'm not one of their own. So the bottom line is that I just need some help to get me back on my feet so that I can move forward without the pressure of wondering where I'm going to live or if I am going to have a car. I'm sincerely hoping and praying that a lot of people helping a little; can accomplish this. I would deeply appreciate anything at all, and I realize that any help at all is a great help, and is a true jesture of kindness.
If you or anybody you know can help, please contact me and I will give you my contact information.
By carana - on Mar 31, 2007... modified on Apr 2, 2007
Posted in carana
Hi, this is somewhat awkard for me but I don't know where to start. I am single mom with an 8 year old daughter. The situation that I have encountered is that I do not have enough funds to cover my rental obligations. I work as a small business owner from home. Due to slow phase and not receiving timely payments of receivables...my finances is out of whack. I recently asked a supplier for an extension of credit on a past due invoice. The situation that I have encountered is that sales were slow for January, February and March, which caused me to live off the remittance that should have been paid to the supplier. I am caught between putting the supplier on hold to pay my living accomodations this month of $644.00 and to keep things a float. My heart tells me to pay at least 1/2 but I am very fearful that the supplier will tell me to take a flying leap.
You know, I decided to apply for a bank loan or to get a small credit line but the bank declined me due to my credit score. I recently just got divorced . There is no spousal support from my ex and I am living off of the proceeds from my business. I have some hard decisions to make. I know that I can do good in my business with a little financial assistance to stay on course. But if I have to end my business today, I can say I did the best I could. I am a fighter but the tears are rolling down my cheeks as I write this. I could probably write a novel on my past experiences. You know being a past victim of domestic abuse for five years and living to write this is a blessing for me.
I am not asking for a hand-out but possibly a barter of some sort. Your consideration and thoughts are greatly appreciated.
This will not be like any other post you've read, and it will be easy to start reading and stop, wondering why I'm here. Please, read my story and consider this: I am looking for guidance, networkin... see full post
Here since: Sep 13, 2009
Male, 24
desk clerk/motorcycle mechanic
Bethany, MO, US
Languages: english/ little bit of spanish
ok basically i am a 21 year old male who lives with his brother which has no job. i just started taking some classes to become a motorcycle mechanic and i work at a comfortt inn as a desk clerk i bar... see full post
Here since: Mar 6, 2009
Female, 39
Unemployed
The Woodlands, TX, US
Languages: Spanish/English
I am a single mom of a teenager. I am in need of a job (As a lot of other Americans). I'm not here for handouts or to request money, I am here to ask for a job in the North Houston, The Woodlands, Spr... see full post
Here since: Dec 3, 2007
Female, 26
Student
Languages: English
I am in need of everything. I am raising my two children alone. We go to food banks to help with meals. I will attend college in the spring to strive to become a Nurse. I am grateful for anything you... see full post
Hi there. I'm not sure if this really works but desperate times call for desperate measures. My husband and I are completely broke. We have four kids ages 6 and under. We have wound up in the worst ... see full post
Here since: Jun 27, 2007
Female, 52
Disable
Augusta, GA, US
Languages: English
My name is val and I am a disable young woman,I have two grand-daughters that I had adopted, because their mother left them.I'm trying to to raise them in a christian and loving way.They are 16 and 15... see full post
Here since: Apr 27, 2007
Female, 30
Durham, NC, US
Languages: English
I am a 25 year old woman. I am currently 7 months pregnant and living in a shelter. I would like to further my education and basically just be given a second chance.&nbs... see full post
Here since: Sep 3, 2005
Female, 23
high school student
NC, US
Languages: english
I am a 17 year old black female. I would like to go to college so I can become a Jag Officer in the military. I am intrested in Political Science or Criminal Justice as a major in coll... see full post
