
New Compassionate Allowances Considered as SSA Expedites Disability Application Process
The Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program is designed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to accelerate the application process of disability claims for individuals with severe medical conditions. These medical circumstances must meet the SSA’s definition of disability, which means they can’t work due to a severe medical condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least one year, or result in death.
Occasionally, the list of Compassionate Allowances conditions is reevaluated and revised based on new medical knowledge, advancements in diagnosis and changes in medical practice. On August 14 this year, that list was updated include chromosome disorders, rare tumors, and types of cancers.
Compassionate Allowances Program
Due to the immense nature of many of the Compassionate Allowance conditions, claims are allowed based on a proven medical diagnosis alone. People with these conditions will identify quickly and therefore, have faster access to Social Security disability benefits.
Kilolo Kijakazi, Acting Commissioner of Social Security, announced 12 new Compassionate Allowances conditions:
- 1p36 Deletion Syndrome
- Anaplastic Ependymoma
- Calciphylaxis
- Cholangiocarcinoma
- FOXG1 Syndrome
- Leber Congenital Amaurosis
- Metastatic Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
- Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration
- Pineoblastoma – Childhood
- Primary Omental Cancer
- Sarcomatoid Carcinoma of the Lung – Stages II-IV
- Trisomy 9
“The Social Security Administration remains committed to reducing barriers and ensuring people who are eligible for benefits receive them,” explains Acting Commissioner Kijakazi. “Our Compassionate Allowances program allows us to reinforce that commitment by expediting the disability application process for people with the most severe disabilities.”
There are now a total of 278 conditions approved by the SSA for the CAL initiative, according to the SSA press release. The administration has approved Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for nearly 900,000 people with severe disabilities through the program. For more information about the program, including a list of all Compassionate Allowances conditions, please visit www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances.
There are rules regarding wages earned through work and if you’re not careful, you risk losing your eligibility, even though the SSDI program doesn’t limit you in terms of unearned income or assets. The process is long, intimidating, and confusing. Lowery Law Group is your legal support providing assistance to those with disabilities.
Why Hiring a Disability Lawyer Eases The Process
Whether their rights have been violated or denied a service or claim due to their disability, Lowery Law is there to help you through the complicated Social Security Disability process. In our article When is the Right Time to Call a Disability Lawyer, we outline why it’s important to hire a disability lawyer before you even get started in the disability and application process. An attorney will quickly classify your disability and distinguish what medical records are needed to receive clearance. Contact Lowery Law Group at info@lowerylegal.com or call (843) 991-0733.