The Social Security Disability Insurance program, which is handled by the Social Security Administration, provides benefits to individuals who are unable to work due to a qualifying disability. This process can take many months and sometimes longer. But some applicants can’t wait for that lengthy approval process.
The Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowances program fast-tracked claims for people who have some of the most severe qualifying medical conditions.
What qualifies as a compassionate allowance?
The Social Security Administration maintains a list of conditions that qualify for the program. It’s regularly updated, but numbers more than 300 now. They include many advanced neurological disorders, certain cancers and rare genetic conditions. Because these conditions are well documented in medical research, they typically don’t require extensive additional eligibility to confirm that the person would meet disability requirements.
How does the program work?
The compassionate allowance program is handled through the application. When a person who has a condition that’s on the list applies, they should include that condition on the application. The system automatically flags those applications as part of the program. Medical documentation is still required, but the process is much faster. This means that applicants can receive a decision in a matter of weeks instead of having to wait months.
Even though the compassion allowances program can fast-track reviews, it’s still critical that the applications are handled properly. It may be best to work with someone who’s familiar with disability programs so they can assist you with getting everything situated on the application to avoid any unnecessary delays. They may also be able to assist you if you receive an unwanted denial.