Social Security Administration Expedites Decisions for People with Severe Disabilities
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 2, 2023
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, and Trisomy 9.
The Compassionate Allowances program quickly identifies claims where the applicant’s medical condition or disease clearly meets Social Security’s 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, nearly 900,000 people with severe disabilities have been approved through this accelerated, policy-compliant disability process, which now includes a total of 278 conditions.
“The Social Security Administration remains committed to reducing barriers and ensuring people who are eligible for benefits receive them,” said 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.”
When a person applies for disability benefits, Social Security must obtain medical records in order to make an accurate determination. The agency incorporates leading technology to identify potential Compassionate Allowances cases and make quick decisions. Social Security’s Health IT brings the speed and efficiency of electronic medical records to the disability determination process. With electronic records transmission, Social Security can quickly obtain a claimant’s medical information, review it, and make a faster determination.
For more information about the program, including a list of all Compassionate Allowances conditions, please visit www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances.
To learn more about Social Security’s Health IT program, please visit www.ssa.gov/hit.
People may apply online for disability benefits by visiting www.ssa.gov.
To create a my Social Security account, please visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
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Tags: Disability, General Information, my Social Security, my Social Security account, social security, social security disability benefits
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IIM U.
Thanks for highlighting people with disabilities in this blog post
Raymond N.
On may 7th 1987 I was a pedestrian that was hit by a car on Ritchie Hwy in Brooklyn Park Md. , I flat lined 7 or 8 times in Shock Trauma , Suffered a severe closed head injury & due to the severity of the closed head injury , I have a horrible memory. I dont remember my childhood at all. They were going to amputate my left leg below the knee but performed a bone graph on my left hip and put that bone in my leg . Due to the fact that they did that…the length of my left leg is an inch shorter than my right so I have had to wear a medical lift in side my shoe for 36 years and I have a severe limp. am a 50 year old man now and I was just fitted for a new medical lift/brace for my lower left leg. For many years it was simply a lift under the heal on my left foot, but over the years my balance has become much worse, A broom fell over at my last job a few years ago because it was left in the wrong place , I was bailing trash and the vibration of the machine caused the broom to fall ((I know this because I saw the video)) the broom was pinned between boxes and was approximately 1 foot off the ground…so when I backed up I fell straight back SERIOUSLY twisting my back on the concrete floor. I had a few years of therapy with MYLTI SPECIALTY HEALTH CARE for that workmans comp injury I have been PLACED ON A WALKER INDEFINITELY & I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT I CANNOT WORK DUE TO EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED
PLEASE HELP
SINCERELY YOURS
RAYMOND N BLIZZARD
A.C.
Hi, Raymond. We are sorry to hear about your condition and situation. Disability benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to result, end in death. You may find our listing of impairments useful. If you think you are disabled, you can file for disability. You may also 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. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Carl C.
I an 71 years old and I receive 1020 per month and am severely disabled. Why is my income so low
A.C.
Hi, Carl. We are sorry to hear about your situation. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. 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. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Mr. G.
Since 2013, after two heart attacks and a stroke, I received the dianosis:
Necrotizing Myopathy with High CK levels and anti HMG Co Reductase antibodies
C H I E F C O M P L A I N T: Necrotizing HMG CoA Ab Myopathy.
As conditions degenerate, I am now not able to work at all.
Does any of this qualify me for disability aid?
(Mr) Gayle B. Tate
A.C.
Hi, Mr. Gayle. We are sorry to hear about your condition. Social Security disability benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to result, end in death. You may find our listing of impairments useful. If you think you are disabled, you can file for disability online. We hope this helps.
Eddie T.
Hi,my name is Eddie I have been living with chronic functional Rheumatoid Arthritis since 2011 I am on self inject immunosuppression every week now I have spinal stenosis which require surgery on top I also need left knee replacement. Now my question is I am 65 and I am on retirement age what will happen to my disability benefit? Will it change to retirement or will it stay the way it is ? Thank you
A.C.
Hi, Eddie. Thanks for your questions. When you reach full retirement age, we will automatically convert your disability benefits to retirement benefits, but the amount remains the same. We hope this helps.
Jeffrey S.
I’m 62 years old and have been disabled since 2006. I have had congestive heart failure since 2002 and degenerative spine disease. After two heart surgeries 18 years ago I was diagnosed with a birth defective in my aortic valve. I had open heart surgery one day before my 62nd birthday. My aortic valve was replaced. I’ve lived alone for 20 years not knowing about the heart defect. I have to choose between paying bills or eating every month. The stigma of being unable to work at a young age destroyed my mental health and marriage. I don’t know how to get benefits that are available. Never understood why I had so much trouble understanding what to do.
A.C.
Hi, Jeffrey. We are sorry to hear about your condition and situation. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. You may also 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. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Delviance F.
You should contact The disability champions law firm the good
Pamela G.
I am disabled/retired/divorced. I was married to my exhusband for more than 10 years and asked for the 10 year bump up but never heard anything. Also way back i was disabled first and then at 62 rolled to retirement. I did not realize that they cut my benefits by 30% until a few years ago. That was not really fair, i truly did not understand that! Because i am disabled and now i have breast cancer and will be having a bilateral mastectomy the end of September to make sure we get all the Cancer. Will be also checking my lymphnods for Cancer. I read that in certain cases of hardship, some people can qualify for full exspouse benefits early. I am trying to live on 1,274.00 a month and i cant afford to pay all my bills. The cost of living has gone up so much!! I have applied for fuel assistance and Snap. Hard to buy decent food for 146.00 a month. My Cancer is DCIS, ductal carsanoma. Patholigist upgraded to a 3. The 4 different kinds of scans did not show the extent of the cancer. They were doing a lumpectomy and when they went in they found a very large area of cancer. My ex was in the Navy and i know he gets a check every month from either the VA or thats his pention from the Navy, not to sure. We are still friends. My mobile home is falling apart around me. I just not sure what to do anymore. I guess my question is would i qualify under the special cercumstance to get spouces full benefits early, so i can live a better life. I did have his three children and miscarried one. Thank you so much for your time.
A.C.
Hi, Pamela. We are sorry to hear about your condition and situation. To be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse for at least 10 years, and you cannot be eligible for a higher benefit on your own record. For more information on how to qualify for divorced spouse benefits, visit our Benefits Planner. For specific questions, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Debra C.
I have stage 4 Squamous cell Carcinoma with 3stints in the pelvic area where the cancer is located. The cancer has grown into the stints and the cardiologist could not clear. I also have a bad Mitral valve prolapse. I have had 30 radiation treatments and approximately 10 Chemo treatments. Been in the hospital several times due to the cancer. I tried signing up for disability in June and have yet to see that they have gotten no further than 25% completed. When should we expect Ann answer.
A.C.
Hi, Debra. We are sorry to hear about your condition and experience. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call or visit. We hope this is resolved soon.
acies
Thank you for this wonderful blog post about people with disabilities
Annette W.
I have applied 3 times. The last time I was approved it was during Covid. The payments did not begin. I really had cancer, Stage 3. I am a survivor of cancer, however, now, I am still suffering from the aftereffects with another injury that may require surgery. Plus day to day living is impaired severely. I involved an attorney and my congressperson for a congressional inquiry and hearing. The attorney said that I did all the work and didn’t need their help. So the the congressperson. They both said the Social Security office now has to begin payments for me. I applied again, the third time. I also have children. I have worked since I was 15. I am a United States citizen, born and raised in NC. I have paid taxes and supported my family and my community since childhood. I need my benefits that I have earned as a citizen. Where is my help?
A.C.
Hi, Annette. We are sorry to hear about your condition and situation. We encourage you to continue to work with your local Social Security office. You can ask to speak to a supervisor on your next call or visit. You may also 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. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this is resolved soon.
A.C.
Hi, Glaima. We are sorry to hear about your condition and situation. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can answer in this forum. For your security, we do not have access to information about your account in this venue. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for specific case questions. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Cordell L.
The process needs to change, SSA needs more workers added to reinforce already wore out workers, CA needs to be expanded to cover more disabilities, every claim should be considered severe until proven otherwise.