Shelly,
Sorry to hear about your dad. There are many threads on this forum, particularly in this general discussion room you can research. You need to do alot of research, as ALS is a very difficult disease to deal with.
YOu should make sure that you get your dad registered with the local ALS association and also the MDA (They are two separate - you must register at both).
Your dad is automatically qualifed for SS disability, there is no waiting period with ALS.
I don't know the details of your dad's progression? Does he have Bulbar form (throat, speech and swallowing) or limb onset (legs / hands). How long has he had symptoms?
YOu can research ALS on the alsassn.org site. You can get him started on a vitamin regimen and the ALS clinic may have discussed the one and only treatment for it (which gives average of 6 months longer survival), Rilutek.
You will find in your research, that the average survival time is 3 - 5 years from diag, but those numbers can be decieving, esp. if he chooses to vent when necessary. Some on this forum, according to AL have had it for 14 years, so there is hope.
I'm sure you will get more feedback from others, please ask any questions you want, were here to support you.
Regards,
Jamie