Presumptive Disability

Presumptive disability is a disabling health condition the SSA presumes is disabling and allows for certain claimants, who have limited income and resources, to be paid temporary disability payments for up to six months while the Social Security Administration (SSA) evaluates their SSI disability application.

Common conditions which allow for a presumptive disability payment include total deafness, blindness, symptomatic HIV infection, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, severe mental retardation, low birth weight, spinal cord injury with an inability to walk with a walker, muscular dystrophy, stroke (with no recovery after 3 months), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, terminal illness with six months or less to live, and amputation of two limbs or one leg at the hip.

Presumptive disability payments are paid for up to six months. Generally, if you receive these payments and are denied SSI benefits you will not have to repay the SSA any funds.