Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Types 0 and 1 and Social Security Disability
Social Security Disability Lawyer
Typically, applying for and receiving social security disability benefits can take many months. But what if your disabling condition is so severe that you cannot wait? Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Types 0 and 1 is a disabling condition on the Compassionate Allowance List, which qualifies an individual for an expedited approval process.
What is SMA?
SMA is part of a group of hereditary diseases characterized by a progressive wasting away of the voluntary muscles in the legs and arms of babies and children. SMA is caused by deficiencies in, or a total absence of the gene SMN1, the survival motor neuron gene, which contains instructions for creating a protein crucial to the health and function of motor neurons. When this protein is absent, motor neurons in the spinal cord waste away and die. There are several types of SMA, classified by the age of onset and severity of symptoms. Type 0 is prenatal and affected infants usually die by 6 months of age. Type 1 is present at birth or presents in the first few months of life and affected infants usually die before age 2 if they do not receive respiratory therapy. There is no cure for SMA; treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
SMA Types 0 and 1 Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of SMA Types 0 and 1 include:
- Floppy limbs and trunk
- Weak movements of the arms and legs
- Inability to achieve normal developmental milestones (i.e. sitting up unassisted)
- Difficulty swallowing
- Poor sucking reflex
- Difficulty breathing
If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, it is important to talk with a doctor immediately.
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits and SMA Types 0 and 1
SMA Types 0 and 1 qualify you for social security disability benefits under the Social Security Administration’s guidelines. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with SMA Types 0 and 1, then you are considered disabled for at least 24 months from the date of diagnosis.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with SMA Types 0 and 1, contact an experienced social security disability lawyer today. Please call us at 1-800-882-5500 or fill out a free consultation form for a free evaluation of your social security disability case.
