Did you know that certain conditions may automatically qualify a claimant for Social Security Disability?
The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Compassionate Allowances program helps severely disabled individuals avoid the lengthy claims process that can take several months to more than a year. The program provides expedited processing for serious medical conditions under an SSA impairment listing.
If you require assistance filing a disability claim or appealing a denial notice, an experienced Oshkosh-based Social Security Disability lawyer at our firm is here to help. We know what it takes for claimants to get approved for disability benefits. Let us review your situation and determine if we may be able to help you during a risk-free, zero-obligation consultation.
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Compassionate Allowances and Social Security Disability
Certain diseases and conditions are clearly so disabling that the SSA will expedite the approval process for disability benefits. Compassionate Allowances is a fast-track program that identifies and lists serious and life-threatening conditions that, by definition, meet the standard for disability.
In other words, you must have a disabling condition, which renders you unable to work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Compassionate allowances apply to both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims.
There are more than 200 medical conditions on the list, including certain cancers, rare and genetic diseases, neurological disorders and terminal illnesses.
Conditions on the compassionate allowances list (CAL) include, but are not limited to:
- Acute leukemia
- Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (a form of thyroid cancer)
- Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (a form of liver cancer)
- Gallbladder cancer
- Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)
- Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
- Pancreatic cancer
- Small cell lung cancer
If your medical condition is not on the list or is not presently eligible for a compassionate allowance, be sure to check the SSA’s website for regular updates.
The SSA identifies new conditions from information provided by the public, Social Security and Disability Determination Service communities, medical and scientific experts, and research provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). You can also suggest the name of a condition for consideration.
Filing for Disability with a Compassionate Allowance
You do not apply specifically for a compassionate allowance. The SSA reviews all disability claims to determine which claims qualify as compassionate allowances.
Should you have a CAL condition, it is best to file a claim for disability benefits sooner rather than later. Your condition must be clearly documented and validated through medical evidence.
Many compassionate allowance cases are due to cancer. For example, the SSA may ask that you submit your biopsy report and a letter from your physician detailing your diagnosis.
Unlike a typical disability claim, minimal objective information is required. Proof of a serious medical condition is enough to presume disability.
How Are Compassionate Allowances Cases Processed?
The SSA automatically places claimants who qualify for compassionate allowances ahead of other claimants to ensure that their cases are handled swiftly.
For some conditions, you may be approved for disability benefits within 10 days from the filing date. The average time for the SSA to process a compassionate allowance case is about two weeks.
If you have a CAL condition but have yet to hear back within one month after filing a claim, be sure to contact the SSA. A licensed lawyer at Sigman Janssen is also ready to navigate the claims process for you. He or she can help ensure that all the requirements are met to be entered into the CAL program.
Find Out if You Are Eligible for Disability Benefits
Filing a claim for disability benefits can be a complicated process. If you are not sure if you have a CAL condition, it is best to consult with an experienced lawyer. Your odds of approval can increase with the help of a lawyer. Sigman Janssen is ready to review your claim in a free consultation.
You are not obligated after meeting with us to move forward. There are no upfront fees to retain our services and no fees unless we help you get disability benefits. Contact us anytime, day or night.
Have Questions? We Have Answers.
Ph: (877) 888-5201