What Is Presumptive Disability?

A person trying to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for a disability will often need some type of financial support during the time their claim is reviewed and the information in their file verified. This support can come in the form of Presumptive Disability payments. The Social Security Administration (SSA) can immediately grant a person Presumptive Disability payments if they meet certain criteria.

Conditions
There are certain medical conditions that easily qualify for Presumptive Disability payments. These are serious physical and mental impairments. An individual with one of them is presumed to be disabled. These conditions include total blindness or deafness as well as a person with a terminal illness who is in hospice care and is estimated to have under six months left to live. An individual who has Down syndrome as well as a person confined to a bed. Amputations of two limbs, spinal cord injury that leaves a person unable to walk without assistance. A stroke victim who loses their ability to walk or use their hands or arms. An individual with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, muscular atrophy and more all qualify for Presumptive Disability payments.

Non-Medical Presumptive Disability Payments
There are certain standards in place by the SSA for a person to qualify to receive Presumptive Disability payments for a non-medical disability. An individual must have limited financial resources as well as limited income and more. This determination is made on a case by case basis.

Temporary Payments
It is possible for an individual who qualifies for Presumptive Disability payments to receive them for as long as six months. When the SSA completes the process and comes to a final decision concerning a person’s disability claim, payments from the Presumptive Disability program will end. Should the SSA deny a person’s disability claim, they may not have to pay back the money they received for the Presumptive Disability.

Applying For Presumptive Disability
An individual wishing to receive Presumptive Disability payments can apply for them when they complete an application for SSI. There are certain situations where an SSA field office can make a Presumptive Disability determination. This is often accomplished with information obtained from a reliable source. This source could be a doctor, school personnel, social worker and more. If an individual doesn’t qualify for Presumptive Disability, their case file will go directly to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office. This is the agency within the SSA with the responsibility of denying or approving all SSI disability claims. It is also possible for the DDS to make a decision regarding Presumptive Disability.

Proof Of Approval
In order for an individual to qualify for Presumptive Disability payments, there must be convincing evidence demonstrating there is a strong likelihood their claim for Social Security Disability (SSD) will be approved. They must also meet requirements for limited income as determined by the SSI program. This program requires an individual’s assets as well as household income to be below the income limits set by the SSA.

Children
It is possible for children to receive Presumptive Disability payments during the time they’re waiting for a decision on their SSD claim. A child who is under a year old and weighs under three pounds at birth could be given Presumptive Disability payments. It’s also possible for a child to qualify if they have a significant mental deficiency or another birth defect such a Down syndrome and more.

Claim Denial
An individual trying to get Presumptive Disability will not qualify if their SSD claim is in the appeal process after being denied. These payments will only be provided during the initial stages of a person’s SSD claim. A person will not have to pay back any payments they receive for Presumptive Disability if the source of their denial is based on medical reasons. If a person’s claim for SSI is denied because of discrepancies in their household income or clerical errors; they may have to pay back the money they received for Presumptive Disability.

Amount Of Payment
How much an individual receives after being approved for Presumptive Disability is determined by the amount of their assets and household income. These types of payments are only able to be received by people applying for SSI, and the SSI program is based on a person’s financial need. Should an individual not meet the income requirements, they will not receive any payments for Presumptive Disability. This is the case even if the SSA indicates there is a strong possibility a person will be approved for SSD payments.

Not all individuals who apply for SSD benefits will meet the qualifications to receive Presumptive Disability payments. Should a person have extremely limited assets and income, as well as a severe medical condition, they have a good chance of qualifying for Presumptive Disability payments. To begin the process, individuals should contact the SSA and ask about what is necessary for them to apply. An attorney experienced with SSD benefits will also be able to answer questions about Presumptive Disability payments and more.