Compassionate Allowances Speed Help to People with Severe Disabilities
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 17, 2021
Disability can happen to anyone. If you suffer from a serious medical condition that prevents you from working, time is of the essence when it comes to applying for Social Security disability benefits. Although Social Security is committed to processing disability claims as quickly as possible in all cases, our initial claims process typically takes three to five months.
Because compassion is a cornerstone of our public service commitment, in some cases, we’re able to expedite the application process through our Compassionate Allowances program. Social Security uses Compassionate Allowances to identify people whose medical condition is so severe, they obviously meet our disability standards. Under the Social Security Act, we consider you disabled if you can’t work due to a severe medical condition that is expected to last at least one year, or result in death.
Social Security pays benefits under two programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. Our disability program provides benefits and Medicare eligibility to workers with disabilities who paid into the Social Security trust fund through payroll taxes. Under some circumstances, children and family members can receive disability benefits. SSI pays benefits to disabled persons of all ages with limited income and resources. SSI benefits are not paid out of the Social Security trust fund.
Farber’s disease and Tay Sachs disease in children, and advanced pancreatic and ovarian cancer in adults are examples of the 223 conditions on the Compassionate Allowances list. Others include Huntington’s disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which cause rapid brain deterioration in otherwise healthy adults. For a complete list of the Compassionate Allowances conditions, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.
The Compassionate Allowances initiative also provides grants to medical researchers to identify other conditions that may qualify for this list. This initiative is just one of many ways Social Security works to help provide you with peace of mind when disability happens. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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Sherry M.
Im 43 years old and have been fighting for my disability for 3years I have congestive heart failure and angena peripheral vascular insufficiency cardio vascular peripheral vascular disorder and neuropathy and depression and anxiety .i have no where to go and the people I thought were my friend just told me I have to get out. I have to be on the streets alone no one wants to help
Ray F.
Hi Sherry. Remember that while you are waiting for a hearing or a medical decision, you may be eligible to receive benefits from social services from the state in which you live. These services could include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other matters. To get information about services in your area, please visit the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) web page. We hope this information helps.
Gary F.
Gary Ferone, always helps seniors and disabled people.He loved them and provide them all facility.
Home Care Service
Richard
So the question is is this Fair or is it right being a USA citizen an can’t get approved but others outside the country get it as immagrents n real Americans can’t is this our payments to get when we need it in a time of need or we pay for noncitizen to have our payments n lice off our sweat n back breaking work we did I don’t understand it is it right or wrongs I can’t be approved but others coming here from outside the country get it quickly n I can’t can someone explain this to me is it right
Richard
I have 3 years of medical document s say I can’t work but still can’t get approved I’m also homeless due to disability n still can’t be approved I’m a USA citizen born in America worked since I was 13 years old apply for benif an can’t be approved with 3 plus years of medical documents is this right that people with lesser things be approved or immagrents get it quickly n I can’t is this riged for people outside the USA to be approved n us citizen s can’t why is this happing I can’t get approved can’t someone tell me why
Tim
have you seen how much money is paid to Social Security employees? That is were all of the money is going and they sure don’t want to loose there money in fact they are getting a raise next year.
Base pay rates are established in the congressional budget or by executive order in lieu of a budget. Each year, the new pay rates go into effect on January 1st.
On average, federal employees receive 1-3% raise each year. Effective raises may be higher in some areas when factoring in changes to locality rate adjustments as well.
These are the highest paid employees.
178,826.08 AVERAGE PAY
$17.88M TOTAL PAY
This table shows the top-earning Federal employees of the Social Security Administration in 2015, based on OPM data (base salary + bonuses).
The majority of these top-earning employees work in Maryland.
Some employee names may be withheld by the OPM or individual agencies.
Rank Name Occupation Total Pay Location
1 Nancy Ann Berryhill Social Insurance Administration $247,455 MD
2 Gale S. Stone Auditing $219,960 MD
3 Dorothy A. Smallwood Miscellaneous Administration And Program $183,649 MD
4 Frank A. Cristaudo Miscellaneous Administration And Program $183,300 MD
5 David V. Foster Miscellaneous Administration And Program $183,300 MD
6 Philip A. Gambino Miscellaneous Administration And Program $183,300 MD
7 Stephanie J. Hall Miscellaneous Administration And Program $183,300 MD
8 Donna L. Siegel Miscellaneous Administration And Program $183,300 MD
9 A. Jacy Jr. Thurmond Miscellaneous Administration And Program $183,300 VA
10 William B. Zielinski Miscellaneous Administration And Program $183,300 MD
11 Marianna E. Lacanfora Social Insurance Administration $183,300 MD
12 Eli N. Donkar Actuarial Science $183,300 MD
13 Stephen C. Goss Actuarial Science $183,300 MD
14 Thomas G. Grzymski Information Technology Management $183,300 MD
15 Robert Klopp Information Technology Management $183,300 MD
16 Reginald F. Wells Program Management $183,300 MD
17 Ruby D. Burrell Management And Program Analysis $183,300 MD
18 Steven L. Schaeffer Auditing $183,300 MD
19 Bonnie Kind Budget Analysis $183,300 MD
20 Jeffrey C. Blair General Attorney $183,300 MD
21 Theresa L. Gruber General Attorney $183,300 MD
22 Andy Liu General Attorney $183,300 MD
23 Glenn E. Sklar General Attorney $183,300 MD
24 Frederick Maurin Social Insurance Administration $182,924 NY
25 Name Withheld by the OPM Criminal Investigation $182,480
26 Tina M. Waddell Miscellaneous Administration And Program $181,557 TN
27 James A. Winn General Attorney $181,543 MD
28 Virginia P. Reno Social Insurance Administration $181,500 DC
29 Judy L. Chesser Social Insurance Administration $181,500 DC
30 J Jioni Palmer Program Management $181,500 MD
31 A Lamont Eanes Miscellaneous Administration And Program $181,500 MD
32 Stacy L. Rodgers Miscellaneous Administration And Program $181,500 MD
33 Jane L. Ross Miscellaneous Administration And Program $181,500 DC
34 Rodney V. Taylor Social Insurance Administration $181,114 GA
35 Donna L. Calvert Management And Program Analysis $181,114 MD
36 Grace M. Kim Social Insurance Administration $181,111 CA
37 Name Withheld by the OPM Criminal Investigation $181,031
38 Gregory C. Pace Miscellaneous Administration And Program $180,532 MD
39 Joseph E. Gangloff General Attorney $180,000 MD
40 Herbert M. Strauss Information Technology Management $179,700 MD
41 Carolyn W. Colvin Miscellaneous Administration And Program $179,700 DC
42 Douglas K. Walker Miscellaneous Administration And Program $179,700 MD
43 Van T. Roland Management And Program Analysis $179,441 PA
44 Linda M. Dorn Social Insurance Administration $177,597 MA
45 Terry M. Stradtman Social Insurance Administration $177,493 PA
46 James C. Borland Miscellaneous Administration And Program $177,363 MD
47 Mary L. Horne Social Insurance Administration $176,887 MD
48 Wayne F. Lemon Information Technology Management $176,158 MD
49 Marti A. Eckert Information Technology Management $176,055 MD
50 William K. Powell Social Insurance Administration $176,055 MO
51 Kate D. Hickman Program Management $174,570 MD
52 Sean P. Brune Program Management $174,362 MD
53 Sheila S. Everett Social Insurance Administration $174,362 TX
54 Roderick O. Hairston Miscellaneous Administration And Program $174,362 GA
55 Stanley C. Friendship Social Insurance Administration $174,362 WA
56 Alan W. Heim Social Insurance Administration $174,149 WA
57 Julio Infiesta Social Insurance Administration $174,149 NY
58 Eric P. Kressman Social Insurance Administration $174,149 PA
59 Cathy A. Bella Contracting $174,149 MD
60 Seth P. Binstock Contracting $174,149 MD
61 Antoinette T. Amrhein Information Technology Management $174,149 MD
62 Lester P. Diamond Information Technology Management $174,149 MD
63 Thomas J. Fellona Information Technology Management $174,149 MD
64 Vera Bostick Borden Program Management $174,149 NY
65 Debby S. Ellis Program Management $174,149 CA
66 Thomas L. Hungerford Program Management $174,149 DC
67 James R. Julian Program Management $174,149 MD
68 Hugh A. Lane Program Management $174,149 MD
69 Lydia C. Marshall Program Management $174,149 MD
70 Kenneth H. Jr Rivers Program Management $174,149 MD
71 Roy A. Snyder Program Management $174,149 MD
72 Rosemary G. Stricks Program Management $174,149 MD
73 Amy G. Thompson Program Management $174,149 MD
74 Christopher P. Molander Support Services Administration $174,149 MD
75 Jonas M. Garland Management And Program Analysis $174,149 MD
76 Hyacinth G. Hinojosa Management And Program Analysis $174,149 CA
77 Michelle A. King Management And Program Analysis $174,149 MD
78 Carla A. Krabbe Financial Administration And Program $174,149 MD
79 Daniel F. Callahan General Attorney $174,149 MD
80 Stephen P. Conte General Attorney $174,149 NY
81 Stephen J. Breen Social Insurance Administration $174,149 CA
82 John C. Morenz Information Technology Management $174,149 MD
83 Dan C. Parry Information Technology Management $174,149 MD
84 John W. Simermeyer Information Technology Management $174,149 MD
85 Francis Sotaski Information Technology Management $174,149 MD
86 John J. Lee General Attorney $174,149 CO
87 Michael McGaughran General Attorney $174,149 TX
88 Kirsten J. Moncada General Attorney $174,149 MD
89 David F. Morado General Attorney $174,149 WA
90 Gerald K. Ray General Attorney $174,149 VA
91 Mary Ann Sloan General Attorney $174,149 GA
92 Shirleeta B. Stanton Social Insurance Administration $174,149 MD
93 David A. Weaver Social Insurance Administration $174,149 MD
94 Bonnie L. Doyle Human Resources Management $174,149 MD
95 Thomas M. Funciello Human Resources Management $174,149 MD
96 Ralph A. Patinella Human Resources Management $174,149 MD
97 Robin A. Sabatino Program Management $174,104 MD
98 Name Withheld by the OPM Criminal Investigation $173,761
99 Milton R. Jr Beever Program Management $173,519 MD
100 David E. Thomas Information Technology Management $173,478 MD
Here is their total employee budget.
65,717 EMPLOYEES
$74,828.51 AVERAGE SALARY
$4.92B TOTAL SALARY
Tim
Everything Social Security is tell us is lies! There motto should be is you don’t loose everything you get nothing! Making people wait years with no income is criminal. I’ve worked all my life paying into Social Security and they are starving me out just like every other insurance company out there. They want you to die so they don’t have to pay . The disabled and elderly are no longer productive to society and have become a burden so they need to die is the way I am seeing the government looking at it. And the rich keep getting richer! I just wish all of the people in Social Security get a chance to go thru what they are putting us thru.
Erin
My first Social Security examiner was compassionate and understanding. I was aware that Congress thought that there were too many people who were disabled prior to the reexamination I would go through. I had a home on nine acres. I am now homeless. The entire process allows for attorneys to make more money by prolonging someone’s case. That in itself is unethical. There’s no one to advocate on your behalf if you happen to be of a certain age and don’t qualify for Medicaid because of the many years that you have worked. The second examiner had numerous records from which to choose from, but instead, they chose to use only four, one of which was forced on me by the insurance company that I had at the time. I had signed a release for seven and a half years worth of records to be released from my physician, but they were never sent. I had the same home address and phone number, but was never contacted by the examiner. The non profit agency that I took my correspondence to from one of my home equity loans fired the individual who lied to me at least once and sometimes twice a week, when he said he was talking to Fifth Third; this person was an acting payee for lower income disabled people in my county; the attorney from Fifth Third who called me, asked me why I never responded and informed me that the bank had charged me a rate of 15% each day. My home was due to be sold at public auction the next day when my appeal, which I was unaware of was won. As a result I went without heat or hot water for two years, was unable to qualify for assistance even with the loss of my income. I eventually had to move out. My home and nine acres were sold to my real estate agents son for $24,000.00. Does anyone think that the Social Security examiner was reprimanded or adversely affected in any way? Are they homeless for over two and a half years now and paying more for living in a motel than two home equity loans cost? Is their once excellent credit destroyed from loss of income and an unnecessary foreclosure? In close I do not want anyone to presume that the medical conditions that were mentioned above deserve the utmost compassion and priority. I lost not only my home, but almost the entire contents that I worked my entire life for, but what’s worse is the social exclusion; the inability to vote; to open a post office box; access to help, including health care. But to now be so damaged, that I have lost the ability of SPEECH.
Dustin
I am a combat veteran, 100% unemployable per veteran affairs. Haven’t worked consistently since 2011 when I got out. I battle suicide almost daily and am in and out of the er and va hospital for all sorts of different treatment. Imagine this, I got denied. I am on the verge of being homeless. What a great system we have 🙁
Randy D.
I have Multiple System Atrophy and my speech is starting to slur and I can hardly walk. Under the Compassionate Allowances Program, I believe I would qualify for SSDI. I also have a 5 – 10 life expectancy. I am age 60. Would I also qualify for Medicare because of my condition?
Ray F.
Hi Randy. The Social Security Act sets out a strict definition for disability. 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. However, if a person thinks that he or she meets our definition of disability, we encourage them to apply for disability benefits when they become disabled. You can apply online
Individuals can be eligible for Medicare benefits after they receive disability benefits for 24 consecutive months.
For more information visit our “Frequently Asked Questions” web page on disability.
Dustin
very diplomatic…hundreds of disabled and disabled veterans wonder the streets. Hope you sleep well at night
Star T.
my mother is going to die in less than 6 months she is in end stage chirrosis of the liver because of this she has a condition called hepatic encephalopathy wich has damaged her brain she cant even sign her name or dress herself she is only 55 years old she has been working since 1976 has paid over 45,000 into social security shes never been on welfare or any type of assistance so why is our system allowing her to struggle finacialy? why has our social security failed her? she is physicaly and mentaly disabled she has less than six months to live she earned the right to not have struggle and be finacialy broken please tell me why this is even allowed to happen to some one in her condition why the hell is her claim still pending ?(apologies for my bad spelling)
Ray F.
We are sorry to hear about your mother’s deteriorating health, and the waiting. We understand your frustration. We want to assure you that we care about our customers and that we are working as fast as we can to resolve all claims promptly, but there may be delays due to the high volume of pending cases.
Please continue working with your local office and the medical examiner evaluating your mother’s case. Make sure that you provide them with any new medical information and always keep them informed.
We make every effort to identify life-threatening cases as early as possible, and try to expedite them at each step in the disability process.
To see if your mother is eligible to receive social services or other benefits from the state, while she waits for a medical determination, contact your local social services office. Or you can visit the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) web page for more information. Thanks.
Betsy
That’s really thnkiing out of the box. Thanks!