Helping A Family Member Receive Disability Benefits For Alzheimer’s And Dementia

Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are heartbreaking, and they take a special toll on caretakers. Often, these caretakers are family members, and this can threaten a family’s financial stability. When dementia strikes a person while they are still working, the effect can be especially devastating

If you have a loved one who suffers from dementia, you may want to consider applying for disability benefits, such as those provided by the Social Security Administration. Programs like SSI and SSDI have helped many people with disabilities continue to live life to the fullest, even after they’ve lost their ability to work.

The application process for Social Security disability

To apply for Social Security disability, you will need to gather information that can help the Social Security Administration determine your level of impairment. At minimum, this includes medical records and work history, but you will also need to include information about your day-to-day life, as this will give them a clearer picture of how your disability affects you.

Applying for disability is worth the time and effort. But it can be a daunting task for anyone, especially a person with a disability like dementia. By the time your family member has become unable to work, they may also have difficulty concentrating or filling out forms.

Fortunately, people can ask for help with their application process if they need it. And this help can come from a close friend or family member.

How to help a family member with their disability application

Once you and your family member have decided to apply for disability, you can begin the application process. Application forms are available at www.ssa.gov, and much of the application process can be completed online.

If your loved one is unable to complete any part of the application, they can let you do it for them. You don’t have to be a legal representative for your family member before you can help them with their application process, although you can become one by contacting Social Security if your family member wants to appoint you as one.

In addition to completing the forms, you will also need to provide medical information and work history. After submitting the application, you will need to meet with a medical practitioner to discuss your loved one’s condition and how it limits them.

If your loved one is able to sign their own application, doing so will make things easier for both of you. But this isn’t always the case, and the Social Security Administration makes certain allowances for family members. If you think your loved one may not be able to sign their own application, ask a disability attorney to review your situation for advice on how to proceed.

To schedule a free consultation with an experienced disability attorney, contact us by phone, email, or text message. We would love to help you and your loved one during this difficult time.