Disability, SSI

Compassionate Allowances Speed Help to People with Severe Disabilities

February 11, 2016 • By

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Last Updated: March 17, 2021

photograph of a man in a wheelchairDisability 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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About the Author

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Comments

  1. florist

  2. florist

  3. florist

  4. florist

  5. florist

  6. Mary

    My son 37 years old has stage 3 cancer his job terminated him after they found out due to he didn’t have enough hours for family med leave.

    He has no money we are using his insurance till it end can ssa help him in any way

    • Mary

      His prescriptions are depleting us need help fast

  7. Melinda (.

    I have fallen into a catch 22 situation for the compassion allowance. All of my many diagnoses don’t qualify me for this, but any one of these will and can lead to death at any time. I am now being evicted which will inevitably lead to my death due to all of my medical diagnoses, illnesses and situation. I did not ask for my genetics, nor did I ask for any of these things to take place at 48 yrs old. I am not able to work and have not been able to work since I was attacked by a client on July 3 of this year. My employer stopped the work comp checks in the middle of Sept, taking this to court. After the attack is when I filed for SSD/I. Once I am homeless with lung issues (asthma, nodules in both lungs) and needing my nebulizer; which needs electricity to be used, it will not be possible and could lead to death. I also have RA, Raynauds (circulation disorder), degenerative disk disease, kyphoscoliosis, severe significant osteoporosis, hypoglycemia, Nephrolithiasis, somatic dysfunction, Anxiety, ADHD, vitamin D deficiency, Osteoarthritis and new a tumor found in my Left iliac bone (lower back area). A few things are missing, as the list was already to long. I understand there are rules and regulations for reasons, but there needs to be a point when someone can step in. I have worked in the mental health, behavior health, substance abuse, corrections and homeless field for over 20 years, assisting and ensuring that others are cared for. However, when something has happened to myself every organization put in place is unwilling to assist me, willing to turn me away, let me become homeless, evicted and die on the street. GOD forbid anything ever happen to another social worker, probation officer, therapist, counselor, etc. because that is the field I have worked in.

  8. Jon H.

    Please explain what “ICD-9-CM Coding” is in relation to the submission of information to consider a new condition/disease for the ABLE ACT.
    Please respond to my email. Thanks

  9. florist

    very nice

  10. Florist M.

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