Kate, I don't know which one would be quicker...But I know that my SIL
mother and my cousin both had cancer and the social worker at the
hospital/cancer center helped them get the ball rolling...
Praying that you get support quickly..And for you and your family...
Hugs Cindy

Kate,

Online one of the questions asks if the medical condition will result in
the death of the person. If you answer "yes" the form will tell you to
go to the office as they can make the application faster. So my
suggestion would be to go to the office.

Carole

(((((((((kate and brother)))))))))  this is a difficult time for you and for
him.  my heart goes out to you.

just call or have your brother call social security to set up a case file
and get a caseworker assigned to him.   then call your brother's doctor's
office.  you brother's doctor may already have the forms and can fill out
their portion quickly and get it sent to your brother's caseworker more
quickly, if you handle it that way.

my husband was terminal and everything was done and handled over the phone.
his ssdi caseworker sent us the packet of forms that my husband was required
to fill out, and then helped him/us fill the forms out over the phone, as
well as set up an appmt for a phone interview and completed that interview.
everything was done over the phone, except mailing the forms back and having
my husband's doctor fill out his portion of the forms and send them in.

if your brother has be disabled and considered terminal for the past 6
months or more, it will still take 2 to 4 months to process his application
for benefits, depending upon the caseworker's workload and how long it takes
to get *all* of the necessary information and completed forms to his
caseworker.  the same is true, even if your brother just found out last week
that he is terminal.  the first check will not be cut until the required 6
months has passed and then they will begin for the 7th month on.

the processing isn't any faster one way or the other.  but using the phone
is easier and kinder for those who find it difficult or physically
impossible to go to the social security office.  phone servicing of a case
by a caseworker is set up that way to accommodate those who need that
option.

just remember it isn't your brother's caseworker's responsibility to make
certain he receives everything necessary.  you or your brother will need to
follow up on that, to make certain everything necessary is in the hands of
his caseworker.  so, keep in touch with his caseworker to make certain
things are arriving as they should.  may it all go smoothly for your brother
and you.

kate