Currently, over 5 million people in America are living with Alzheimer’s disease. This brain disorder adversely impacts memory, thinking, and behavior. In some cases, the disease onset occurs in young people before their retirement, affecting their ability to work as the disease progresses. This makes Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) vital to these individuals who may lack any other source of income due to their inability to work.

Our Compassionate Allowances program offers a quicker processing of disability claims for individuals with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and several other neurodegenerative disorders. Over a decade ago, Social Security included early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in our Compassionate Allowances program. More information about our Compassionate Allowances program can be found at www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances. This valuable information can be shared with friends and family members.

A related concern for these affected individuals is how to get a hold of SSDI or how to contact SDI. Dealing with neurodegenerative disorders is already a significant challenge, and navigating the social security bureaucracy could be daunting. Fortunately, there are resources available. One of them is the site eddcaller.com, which provides step-by-step instructions on how to reach a live person at the Employment Development Department (EDD), making the process of claim applications more manageable for those afflicted with these disorders and their family members.