Compassionate Allowances: Five Conditions Added to Fast Track
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast 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
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Cindy
Can I get help through ssi or disability if I haven’t worked in the last 10 years. I have liver cancer.
Vonda V.
Hi Cindy. We pay disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have worked long enough and recently enough in jobs covered by Social Security (usually within the last 10 years). The (SSI) program is a needs based program that gives cash assistance to disabled individuals with limited income and resources. We pay disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death. If you think you may be eligible to receive disability benefits and would like to apply, you can use our online application.
Kim V.
I take of my mom all by myself she has had cancer for 10 years and it just recently progressed to liver and bones she’s 90 and I’m on disability but only make 860.00 a month and it hard for me to help with food and bills to is there some program that pays family got for taking care of her full time I have lived her for 10 years
Vonda V.
Thanks for your question, Kim. We do not pay caregivers. However, you may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include 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 is helpful!
Kim V.
Yes thank you
Barbara E.
I am a 75 year old divorced woman, living on my S.S. (around $850 – not quite sure). It all goes to my rent in a “low income” apartment. My son helps me with what he can.
I don’t know if this fits your criteria or not, but I have
Bipolar 2, plantars fasciitis, and a knee replacement and revision which often are a problem when standing.
Please let me know ….. thank you very much.
Barbara Brooke
Vonda V.
Hi Barbara, thanks for using our blog. When a person has reached their full retirement age (Currently 66) and is receiving Social Security, they are no longer eligible for disability benefits. Thanks for your help!
Ms. K.
Thank You,
Ms. Kristen M. Carlson,
Employee, State Of Michigan;
Of, Pure Michigan Talent Connect,
(2013) – (2020); (KMC);
Of, FICA Earnings, And Medicare Earnings,
Of, An Earnings Report, SSA, (1978) – Of, (2019);
(2020); Of, Two “Online Services” Resumes; PDF,
Portable Document Format, Of, Microsoft, &,
Acrobat Adobe Reader, XI, Of, X;
(2020); (KMC);
I Appreciate Assistance For: Of, Federal Support For An Early, Part Time Retirement, Of, Employment, Of The State Of Michigan, (2019), (2020); (KMC);
Thank You!;
Ms. Kristen M. Carlson,
Employee, The State Of Michigan,
Jobs.mitalent.org, Totals, Of, (#10,655);
Of, Employment; Of, (2020); (KMC);
Of, Mobile Phone,
1(734)276-9068; (KMC)!
Linda D.
I have Addison and am unable to stabilize. Every few weeks we are changing medication . It greatly affects my everyday life. I draw social security but it not enough to live on. For years, I was unable to work, causing SS to be low
Is Addison 1 of the conditions that qualify
And what kind of help would I receive
Linda Detwiler
Lddetwiler529@ Gmail.com
BD. 05/29/1946
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, they are no longer eligible for disability benefits. We hope this helps!
Suzanne C.
I have a condition that I term to be hyperventilation. When I over work and don’t rest, and when I am excited in my work to accomplish and finish a job, I get rapid heartbeat and difficulty in breathing. I almost feel like fainting if I don’t sit down or lie down and rest. it gradually goes away within 15 minutes or a half hour. I never know when it is going to occur. I hesitate to see a doctor because they only hand out non tested pharmaceuticals with side effects that can do you greater harm in years to come. So I don’t think ai qualify for extra social security with no doctor’s certificate.
Abby Y.
So sorry to hear that!! Wow!! U even had an attorney?? Don’t you just have to reapply again?? I understand it’s a lot to do but did they give u a reason why you didn’t get disability??I’ve been doing alot of researching for my case!! Something is missing from your application?? Did you have a detailed paper trail?? Follow through with all reccomendations. Xrays?medical records?? Hmmm I’m sorry just wondering what went wrong!! I’m seeing a 2nd Dr. At the end of Sept… I feel like with all the stuff wrong with me it would be easy but it’s fairly tough!! I personally feel like disability is helping me by sending me for some lung tests!! I have to be honest for all my pain and suffering I didn’t go to the Dr. Much!! They just say take Ibuprofen anyway. There is one amazing pain med I have taken that helps its called diclofen!! Takes away my deep down pain sometimes!! Anyway don’t give up!! Fight with all your might!! Research, study, read it!! Just saying!!!Good luck!!
Loretta C.
Lorrie_c@live.com
Diana F.
I have 3 autoimmune illnesses. RA,Lupus, and shrogens disease. My health has declined physically. Once I noticed after many failed attempts to do as much I can for myself. I became more exausted. Depending on others to help me. October 23 2019. I filed for disability. I was denied after my medical records from treatment from many specialist I see often were received. It’s been 10 months waiting for my disability to be approved. Why is this?! I’m at the verge of homelessness with children. When will my case be addressed and approved?
Vonda V.
Hi Diana. We are sorry to hear about your disabilities. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for an update 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.
Steven M.
Don’t believe anything they say.
I’ve been Pershing this so called informal and non adversarial process for six years now.
The system is not concerned for you…only that when you work you okay in.
I have severe mental health issues that sure have improved in these six years fight for what I paid in.
Its made me even sicker and unstable……of course it has.
The ALJ denied my due process by expelling my witness…..capricious and arbitrarily…..put her out at the vestibule upon entering. She was humiliated.
My lawyer was an unconcerned liar…never even sent to me the docs previous to the hearing….I had no idea what to say about it.
The contentious and the unfair treatments that I have endured are very traumatizing.
The appeals council order is the most unclear document I’ve ever read….I don’t know what to think about it because I am not cognizant with doublespeak.
I worked….paid into this system….I’ve never seen a dime returned to me.
I should’ve bought gold or silver.. buried them in a coffee can in the forest. The returns would be substantial…..I could get at it now when I need…. and no lying bullies would have it.
Perhaps you should too.
Olivia J.
Our son has been receiving SSI benefits since 2008 due to a Renal Failure that occurred due to a short and long term memory issue. On August 05, 2005, our son’s memory loss occurred due to a traumatic brain injury(TBI). He was a Type 1 diabetic at that time and because of his short time memory loss he failed to follow his daily regimen of insulin intake. This resulted with a renal failure on August 08, 2005, that admitted him into a lengthy hospital stay. Eventually he required dialysis which put him constantly in the Emergency Room because of infections most likely acquired through the dialysis care. One of those visits almost caused him his life. Our sons was lifelined to another hospital and was healed from that infection. He has had five eye operations, one that severed an optical nerve which caused the loss of that eyesight, four bloodstream infections, three heart attacks, three blot clots, one heart valve replacement, two heart valve operations, broken clavicle shoulder bone operation, broken forearm operation, a pancreas and kidney transplant and an appendectomy since 2005. We have been his guardians since 2006 mainly due to his lack and ability to care for himself after the renal failure. He became handicapped and disabled to care for his own hygiene, physical, mental and financial state. He experienced different age existence and developed severe physical motor functions. On November 19, 2012, our son received a new pancreas and kindney. The transplant required another lengthy hospital stay because he had a heart attack on the same day of his transplant. In 2013 he regained some of his cognitive thinking and memory, but not enough for him to be completely independent at that time. Slowly his healing of cognitive thinking and memory made it possible for our son to become self sufficient mentally and physically. He vehemently insistes and believes he doesn’t require assistance from the government and will verbally declare it to anyone that questions him on it. He has made several attempts in aquiring employment since 2013 and has been employed by four different companies. One fired him due to our son forgetting to lock a safe that was one of his job responsibilities. Another job loss was due to having an accident on the job that occurred due to the blindness of his eye not having the capablility of seeing an obstacle on his side that caused the accident. His first job waswith McDonald’s which he terminated to aquire a vocational Network Security Officer’s Certification which he couldn’t complete because he couldn’t retain the information he was being taught. He’s a very proud indivdual who we admire very much for all the effort he has demonstrated in trying to successfully gain independence from everyone. It’s this attitude that concerns us and is why I have gone at length in telling you the background story of our son. Our main concern is how would our son survive in the future if he would give up his monthly SSI assistance from the government by attempting to gain higher paying jobs he can’t hold on to or uphold. He has been notified and warned before of loosing his benefits expiring in the next six months because of his allowed monthly earnings being higher than those of his monthly benefits. By us attending most of our son’s visits with his case worker in the past concerning his benefits, our understanding is that once a person looses his benefits it is a difficult process to regain those benefits. The rules have become more rigid and sometimes lengthy to regain those benefits. Our son’s short term memory loss is resurfacing and it has resulted and required medical attention this past year. We are nearing our 80’s and our fear is on who would come to aid or how would our son aquire assistance in the future if anything happened to us. We admire his adamant desire to be employed and the tenacity of being completely independent from anyone, but the reality and fact is that the memory issues are not being medically corrected or sustained currently. Please forgive this lengthy comment and thank you for your time, but we are not alone on this particular issue.
Todd A.
Well that’s good for the most I’ll people , but what about the long life changing time period it takes for a regular claim . I fought it for 5 years and in the end I did not prevail . I had a good attorney and my Dr. and even the government Dr. Agreed and a Nero surgeon said I had damage and was not able too work in my line of work . I even had neck surgery . But here I am 58 year’s old can’t work yet I can’t get disability . And in that process i lost everything I have owned . Maybe you can look at my case again ? Thank you for your time !
Abby Y.
So sorry to hear that!! Wow!! U even had an attorney?? Don’t you just have to reapply again?? I understand it’s a lot to do but did they give u a reason why you didn’t get disability??I’ve been doing alot of researching for my case!! Something is missing from your application?? Did you have a detailed paper trail?? Follow through with all reccomendations. Xrays?medical records?? Hmmm I’m sorry just wondering what went wrong!! I’m seeing a 2nd Dr. At the end of Sept… I feel like with all the stuff wrong with me it would be easy but it’s fairly tough!! I personally feel like disability is helping me by sending me for some lung tests!! I have to be honest for all my pain and suffering I didn’t go to the Dr. Much!! They just say take Ibuprofen anyway. There is one amazing pain med I have taken that helps its called diclofen!! Takes away my deep down pain sometimes!! Anyway don’t give up!! Fight with all your might!! Research, study, read it!! Just saying!!!Good luck!!