Disability, General, Online Services

Compassionate Allowances: Five Conditions Added to Fast Track

August 27, 2020 • By

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Last Updated: August 19, 2021

Processing disability claims quickly and accurately is important to us.  It is through this commitment to you that we use the Compassionate Allowances program to help us identify and fast-track cases where people have medical conditions and diseases that are most likely to meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits.

In August, we added five conditions — Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors, GM1 Gangliosidosis – Infantile and Juvenile Forms, Nicolaides-Baraister Syndrome, Rubinstein-Tybai Syndrome, and Secondary Adenocarcinoma of the Brain — to this essential list.  Additions to the list allow us to ensure that anyone with qualifying disabilities can receive the benefits they need quickly.

“Social Security’s top priority is to serve the public, and we remain committed to improving the disability determination process for Americans,” said Commissioner Saul.  “Our Compassionate Allowances program gets us one step closer to reaching our goals by helping us accelerate the disability process for people who are likely to get approved for benefits due to the severity of their condition.”

The Compassionate Allowances program quickly identifies claims where the applicant’s condition or disease clearly meets our statutory standard for disability.  Due to the severe nature of many of these conditions, these claims are often allowed based on medical confirmation of the diagnosis alone.  To date, more than 600,000 people with severe disabilities have been approved through this accelerated, policy-compliant disability process.  Over the last decade, the list has grown to a total of 242 conditions, including certain cancers, adult brain disorders, and a number of rare disorders that affect children.

We incorporate leading technology to identify potential Compassionate Allowances and make quick decisions.  When a person applies for disability benefits, we must obtain medical records in order to make an accurate determination.  Our Health IT brings the speed and efficiency of electronic medical records to the disability determination process.  With electronic records transmission, we are able to quickly obtain a claimant’s medical information, review it, and make a determination faster than ever before.

Please share the Compassionate Allowances program with friends and family who may need these vital benefits.

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About the Author

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Mike Korbey, Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Comments

  1. Sam S.

    I am an 82 years old male, and now residing in Thailand. I’ve just applied for the Retirement Social Security Benefits, and my first month (Social Security) benefits will be (starting, from and) for the month of August, 2020 (payable in September, 2020).
    I have been receiving news from Medicare, – now not yet filed a benefit claim (for Medicare).
    I have a question, on joining or filing for Medicare benefits; to receive Medicare benefits, do I have to pay for “premium”, if any, and if so, how much ?
    What is the process of applying for ?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Sam, thank you for using our blog. Generally, individuals receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for more Medicare information. We hope this helps!

  2. Linda J.

    Dear Deputy Commissioner Korbey,
    Thank you for all your hard work keeping us informed about Social Security.
    I am fortunate to have my monthly checks. I have no idea what I would do without SSI.
    I do have a question. My part-time job ends this Saturday. The corporation has filed bankruptcy. I have a medical condition that is quite difficult when I have a flare up. When you draw SSI, can I also draw disability?
    I’m 70 now, and 71 10/04/2020.
    Thanks in advance for your assistance.
    Keep up the good work, and thank you again.
    Sincerely,
    Linda Jones

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Linda, thanks for using our blog. When a person has reached their full retirement age (Currently 66) and is receiving Social Security retirement, they are no longer eligible for Social Security disability benefits. We hope this helps!

  3. Edwin P.

    I was contacted by an Attorney to apply for disability and was told that “if I did not get disability, I would not be charged” !! The Attorney’s kept persisting Social Security for years, till I decided to terminate continuing the case. The Attorney’s Charged me $7,000.00 dollars for their efforts and since they couldn’t get it out of me they charged Social Security and got the $7,000.00 dollars from my Social Security benefits. I have been paying the benefits for over 4 or 5 years now. Do I have a recourse to fight this ??

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Edwin, thanks for using our blog. Check out our publication “Your Right To Representation” for details on what your representative may charge you. If you need to speak to a Social Security representative regarding the details, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  4. Tammy l.

    I have run out of options, I have 3 particular situations regarding disability qualifications,,
    I have been trying for over a year,, now they want me to hire a lawyer and with what monies???????
    I said it before and I’ll say it again I’m aware that there are people out there who do nothing but sit on their butts and do drugs and still commit robberies go back collector check do drugs still commit robberies and yet us taxpayers which I have been all my life had to pay for that now that I need it I’m being denied I don’t understand there’s something wrong with this.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Tammy, thank you for using our blog. Many people handle their own appeals. A representative familiar with Social Security’s programs can provide a valuable service to you. However, the decision whether or not to seek the services of a representative (attorney or other qualified person) is up to you. Check out our publication “Your Right to Representation” for additional information.

      Some individuals may be eligible to receive additional assistance from the state where they live; while they wait for a final determination on their disability claim. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for more information. We hope this information is helpful!

  5. Hilda R.

    Thanks for the information. I want to tell you about my son. He has been disability for over three years, can’t get any help. He had ruptured disk, had surgery, went wrong. lost his job. can’t afford insurance to prove disability. Has been denied disability. If you can help, it would be appreciated.Thanks
    Hilda Robbins
    robbins68@gmail.com
    Thomas E Robbins (son)

    • Vonda V.

      Hilda, we are sorry to hear about your son’s disability. If he was recently denied, he may file an appeal within 60 days of receiving the decision. Your son can provide additional evidence when he files his appeal.

      If he needs help requesting a review, he can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or contact his local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal.

      Some individuals may be eligible to receive additional assistance from the state where they live; while they wait for a final determination on their disability claim. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for more information. We hope this information is helpful!

  6. Guru R.

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  7. Thelma P.

    Does sleep apnea qualify?

  8. Pearl E.

    My son in VA had extensive surgery in October and is just Getting back to work. He never got disability and never any assistance from is place of employment.

  9. About C.

    Very good, This is a step in a direction for people.

  10. Michael Z.

    Why is blindness not a compassionate allowance? I am almost totally blind in my left eye and 20/400 in my right eye. My doctors even say I’m legally blind. My hearing is set for 12/03/2020. Please, we beg you to speed this up. We are living off my wifes income and are about to get evicted.
    Thank You

Comments are closed.