Paying for care

What is Social Security Disability?

Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to people who can no longer work because of a medical condition, including dementia diagnosed before retirement age.

Early-onset Alzheimer's disease is on the Social Security Administration's Compassionate Allowances list, which fast-tracks decisions in weeks rather than months.

Approval also starts a countdown to Medicare eligibility before 65.

Why it matters

For a family where the person with dementia was still earning, this is the most urgent form to file.

Sources

Where to check this, and where to read more. All external and all authoritative.

Social Security Disability where you live

The local guide on this, for each city we cover.

Related terms

All 92 terms, A to Z