The Social Security Administration (SSA) awards disability benefits to Americans who have severe disabilities. The process of being awarded disability benefits is long and difficult, but some applicants may qualify for an expedited review of their claim. This is because the SSA has determined that certain conditions are inherently disabling.
These conditions fall under a program called the Compassionate Allowance (CAL) program. The Compassionate Allowance Program began in 2008, in response to the delays experienced by claimants with severe disabilities, and even terminal illnesses, who were waiting months and sometimes even years for benefits. Now, claimants with conditions falling under the CAL program typically receive an eligibility decision as quickly as just a few weeks.
The SSA holds regular hearings on CAL conditions, during which they add conditions if they’re determined to meet certain criteria. When the program started in 2008, only 50 conditions fell under the CAL program, whereas today there are more than 200. These serious conditions include things like ALS and certain cancer diagnoses.
The Compassionate Allowance Program expedites the review of disability claims, and also minimizes the amount of medical evidence that a claimant needs to produce to prove their disability status. Each condition has designated evidence required for approving and reviewing a claim.
Each CAL description can be found on the Compassionate Allowances list on the SSA.gov website. If you click on a condition, you can find the condition description, as well as the required medical evidence for evaluation and eligibility.
If you have questions about Compassionate Allowances, and whether you may qualify, contact a disability attorney today. A disability attorney can walk you through the applications process, assist in gathering evidence, and if necessary, argue for eligibility. Contact Molly Burke Law Office today for your free no-obligation consultation and help ensure that your eligibility is decided as quickly as possible.