The human heart is incredibly simple, yet very complex at the same time. It is simple in the fact that it is really just a large muscle; its complexity lies in the finely coordinated contractions of different parts of that muscle in order to circulate freshly oxygenated blood throughout the body, while at the same time recirculating the oxygen poor blood back to the heart and on to the lungs to receive more oxygen.
When a child’s heart doesn’t form correctly during the critical period of prenatal development, the result can be potentially life-threatening. For the parents of these precious children, many difficult decisions must be made regarding the child’s care and treatment.
While nothing can make this ordeal easy for these parents, it may be of some comfort to know that financial relief is available in the form of Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
In many cases, the process of applying for and receiving approval for disability benefits is long and complicated. More often than not, applications are denied on the first attempt, leading to a lengthy appeal process.
While this system is necessary in order to prevent fraud, the unfortunate side effect is that benefits can be difficult to obtain for those who legitimately need them.
Recognizing the need to speed up the approval process for some conditions which automatically necessitate disability status, the Social Security Administration (SSA) enacted the Compassionate Allowance program, which can potentially result in approval in a matter of weeks rather than months or even years.
One of the conditions that qualifies for the compassionate allowance program is hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome – Condition and Symptoms
As a baby’s heart is developing, there is a lot that can go wrong. In the case of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, the left side of the heart doesn’t develop as it should, resulting in the inability of the heart to properly perform the function of circulating freshly-oxygenated blood throughout the body.
With the left side’s structure unable to do its job, the right side of the heart must compensate.
Symptoms of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome include a grayish or bluish skin color, difficulty with breathing and feeding, cold extremities, and drowsiness or unusual lethargy. Since the condition is present at birth, the symptoms are usually noticeable right away.
Left untreated, the connections between the left and right side of the heart may close, leading to shock and ultimately death. Children with untreated Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome usually don’t survive beyond their second week of life.
The causes of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome are unknown. However, if there is any sort of a family history of the deformity, there is an increased risk.
Depending on the severity of the deformity, children born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome may be treated with surgery. In the cases where the heart is damaged to the degree that surgery is not an option, a heart transplant may be the only alternative.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
If your child has been born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome it may help to know that he or she will automatically qualify for Social Security Disability benefits because the SSA has recently determined the condition meets the criteria for Compassionate Allowance status.
While this fact may leave the impression that approval is a certainty, you would still be very wise to have your case checked over by a Social Security Disability attorney.
The documentation needed for the approval of an application for disability benefits can be rather extensive. While the condition itself can lead to expedited approval for benefits, any errors or omissions in the application paperwork can lead to frustrating and costly delays.
A Social Security Disability lawyer has the training and experience with not only the legal aspects of the application process, but also the medical aspects as well. Working in conjunction with your healthcare providers, a disability attorney can review all of the necessary documents before they are submitted.
With all of the paperwork in order, your case may potentially be approved in as little as three weeks. As a result, you can spend your time focused on the most important task of all, which is caring for your family.
Your Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Disability Case
If you are facing the agonizing decisions that go along with having a child born with a congenital heart defect, you already have enough on your plate. Your family needs you now more than ever, and you don’t want to leave the application for disability benefits to chance.
Having your case evaluated by an experienced Social Security Disability attorney will make your disability claim a source of comfort, rather than a source of additional stress.
If you would like to have a disability lawyer review the particulars of your case, you can start the process by filling out the information form on this website today.
