The Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program by the Social Security Administration (SSA) has recently expanded to include new conditions they consider severe and worthy of immediate attention. They made these additions on August 14, making the total count of Compassionate Allowance conditions now 278. Here’s what this may mean to you if you are someone receiving or looking to apply for disability benefits in Indiana.
Compassionate Allowances explained
Compassionate Allowances (CAL) is a program initiated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to expedite Social Security Disability and Social Security Insurance claims for individuals with severe medical conditions. Usually, these claims can take several years to process, but with CAL, it can just take a matter of weeks.
The SSA has identified more than 200 conditions that they consider Compassionate Allowance conditions, such as cancers, neurodegenerative diseases and rare diseases considered serious and difficult to live with. Still, the SSA will look at medical evidence and other factors to decide if a person meets the criteria of disability.
The newly added conditions
The SSA added 12 new medical conditions to the Compassionate Allowance list. Among them include:
- Posterior Cortical Atrophy
- NUT Carcinoma
- Mowat-Wilson Syndrome
- Microvillus Inclusion Disease-Child
- Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma
Applying for disability benefits with compassionate allowances
If you have been diagnosed with any of the 12 new compassionate allowance conditions in Indiana or any of the other conditions identified by the SSA, you can apply for disability benefits online through the SSA’s website or via your local Social Security office. You will need:
- Evidence of your medical condition
- A completed Social Security Disability application
- Evidence of your work history
- Documentation of your medical expenses
- Any other relevant information
Embracing the new additions to the CAL list can be a game-changer for many individuals in Indiana who are facing these debilitating health challenges. Staying informed about these changes can help you make the most of the CAL program and find the support you need to manage your medical condition.