TERI Cases in Social Security Disability
When filing a disability claim with Social Security there are usually two different sections a claim could fall into. These sections are Social Security Disability Insurance (or SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income benefits (or SSI). SSDI deals with people who are injured to the point where they can no longer work and SSI deals with people who are lower income. SSI often includes the elderly. However, there is another form of Social Security Disability called TERI cases.
A TERI case is another way of saying a terminally ill case. When applying for disability benefits TERI cases are treated differently than non-terminal disability cases. Non-terminal disability cases may take a long time to file and actually be reviewed with a ton to prove. TERI cases are attended to in a much faster fashion, and the Social Security Administration will treat these cases in a sensitive manner. The SSA treats TERI cases with sensitivity because they keep the patient’s emotional state in mind.
A claims examiner will be able to classify the claim as a TERI case when notified by a doctor or witness that the condition is terminal. The conditions that qualify as TERI include certain types of cancer (especially late-stage cancer), chronic heart failure, or a comatose state for over 30 days. Any condition that is terminal qualifies for TERI, but ALS and AIDS will almost always qualify a case as terminal.
Apply for disability benefits can be hard. However, learning that your illness might be terminal can be extremely difficult. If you or your loved one wants assistance in a TERI case Franco Law Firm will be here to help. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation, please call us at (813) 872-0929.