Understanding the Compassionate Allowances Program

By Kenton Koszdin Law Office on May 23, 2023 | In Social Security Disability

Understanding the Compassionate Allowances Program

The SSA disability benefits application process can take several weeks or even months between filing the paperwork, getting the appropriate medical records, and building your case. The process can take even longer if you have to appeal your case to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The SSA understands that some people have limited income and simply cannot wait that long, so it established Social Security compassionate allowances (CAL) for individuals with serious, qualifying medical conditions. If you believe you qualify, contact an experienced Los Angeles Social Security Disability lawyer with Kenton Koszdin Law Office for more information.

What Is a Compassionate Allowance for Social Security?

social security compassionate allowance

A compassionate allowance Social Security benefit is a notation on a disability benefits claim that designates an individual with a serious, chronic health condition like certain cancers, rare diseases affecting children, and adult brain disorders. The SSA has a long list of specific, diagnosed conditions created by gathering information from:

  • Disability determination service communities;
  • Recipient comments from the Social Security and Disability Determination Service;
  • Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and similar agencies;
  • Input from qualified scientific and medical experts.

The compassionate allowance notation speeds up disability benefits approval for specific individuals who would qualify for benefits. It’s essentially a fast-tracked review process to help those in true need receive benefits and medical care faster.

Applicants for Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSDI) who wish to fast-track their application must still qualify for benefits. The compassionate allowance isn’t guaranteed approval. If you applied for the compassionate allowance and are stymied, contact a qualified SSDI lawyer.

What SSA Compassionate Allowances Conditions Qualify for Expedited Disability Benefits?

The Social Security compassionate allowance list is comprehensive and specifically lists all CAL conditions that would make a recipient eligible for an expedited review of their benefits application. The SSA “flags” applications that meet the Social Security compassionate allowance conditions. You will have to include supporting documentation for CAL conditions, like a formal diagnosis from a qualified physician, for your SSA compassionate allowances applications for your application to be eligible. 

2023 Compassionate Allowance List

Acute Leukemia Batten Disease DeSanctis Cacchione Syndrome Infantile Free Sialic Acid Storage Disease Ornithine Transcarbamylase (OTC) Deficiency
Adrenal Cancer Bladder Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable or unresectable Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) Osteosarcoma, formerly known as Bone Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable or unresectable
Adult Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Breast Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable or unresectable Endomyocardial Fibrosis Juvenile Onset Huntington Disease Ovarian Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable or unresectable
Adult Onset Huntington Disease Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Site Ependymoblastoma (Child Brain Cancer) Late Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses Pancreatic Cancer
Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome Cardiac Amyloidosis- AL Type Farber Disease (FD) – Infantile Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis – Grade III Paraneoplastic Pemphigus
Ventricular Assist Device Recipient – Left, Right, or Biventricular Cerebro Oculo Facio Skeletal (COFS) Syndrome Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma – metastatic or recurrent Malignant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Pearson Syndrome
Alpha Mannosidosis – Type II and III Child Lymphoblastic Lymphoma Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Picks Disease -Type A – Adult Megacystis Microcolon Intestinal Hypoperistalsis Syndrome Patau Syndrome (Trisomy 13)
ALS/Parkinsonism Dementia Complex Child Lymphoma Fukuyama Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Merosin Deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Peripheral Nerve Cancer
Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia Chondrosarcoma – with multimodal therapy Galactosialidosis – Early and Late Infantile Types Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) – Late Infantile Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) – Blast Phase Head and Neck Cancers – with distant metastasis or inoperable or unresectable MPS II, formerly known as Hunter Syndrome Peritoneal Mucinous Carcinomatosis
Angelman Syndrome Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) – Familial Type Myoclonic Epilepsy with Ragged Red Fibers Syndrome Phelan-McDermid Syndrome
Transplant Coronary Artery Vasculopathy Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) – Adult Hypocomplementemia Urticarial Vasculitis Syndrome Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation – Types 1 and 2 Pleural Mesothelioma
Pompe Disease – Infantile Progressive Bulbar Palsy Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma (New) Secondary Adenocarcinoma of the Brain Small Intestine Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable, unresectable, or recurrent
Ureteral Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable, unresectable, or recurrent Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Renpenning Syndrome (New) Severe Combined Immunodeficiency – Childhood Soft Tissue Sarcoma – with distant metastases or recurrent
Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Canavan Disease (CD) Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata Skin Malignant Melanoma with Metastases Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) – Types 0 and 1
Primary Effusion Lymphoma Tay Sachs Disease – Infantile Type SCN8A Related Epilepsy with Encephalopathy (New) Small Cell Cancer (Large Intestine, Prostate, or Thymus) Stomach Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable, unresectable, or recurrent
Primary Peritoneal Cancer Prostate Cancer – Hormone Refractory Disease – or with visceral metastases Schindler Disease – Type 1 Small Cell Cancer of the Female Genital Tract Superficial Siderosis of the Central Nervous System

This is not an exhaustive list of conditions that qualify for the Social Security compassionate allowance. The SSA lists them online, or you can contact your local Social Security office to ask if your specific condition is on the list.

How Much Will I Receive from the SSA Compassionate Allowance?

Your compassionate allowance benefits will be the same amount as your benefits would be if you qualified without the allowance. The program is an expedited application review and (generally) approval, with no additional monies for people who have certain conditions.

If you qualify for SSDI, the maximum benefit, is $3,627 per month; those who qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may receive up to the monthly maximum of $914.

The amount you receive for Social Security benefits depends on your work history or if the benefits are for a child under 18, their parent’s work history. Your assets and other income (like alimony) will also be considered.

I Found My Condition on the Compassionate Allowance List — What Next?

If your medical condition is listed in the Compassionate Allowance SSA program, apply for benefits through this Social Security disability compassionate allowance process.

Apply for Social Security

social security compassionate allowances

To start your Social Security compassionate allowance application, apply for SSDI or SSI benefits (or both). Be detailed and specific about the extent of your condition and include your doctor’s diagnosis and prognosis of the progression of your disease.

Ensure each section is carefully and filled out, as missing information can delay approval even with expedited approval.

How do I apply for Social Security compassionate allowance:

  • Complete the application online;
  • Call (800) 772-1213 or TTY 800-325-0778 to speak with a caseworker;
  • Visit a Social Security office near you.

Make sure to list your medical condition by its name. The SSA processing system automatically flags applications with listed conditions.

Call an SSA Branch Office After You Apply

Once you’ve applied, call the SSA branch in your town and explain to a caseworker that you applied for compassionate allowance for your newly submitted SSDI or SSI application. They can verify that your case has been flagged as urgent.

How Long Will My SSA Compassionate Allowance Application Take for Approval?

For faster processing of your Social Security compassionate program, make sure your application includes the doctor’s diagnosis of your condition. Supporting documentation can include photos, if applicable, or other appropriate medical documentation, like test or lab results, as per the SSA guidelines.

If you know you have a qualifying condition, and you haven’t been approved for benefits within a month or two, contact the SSA to ensure your application was properly flagged.

The processing time for a typical compassionate allowance application is a few days to two weeks, although the mandatory waiting period of five months for SSDI benefits isn’t waived for CAL applicants.

What Are My Options if I Don’t Qualify for SSA Compassionate Allowances?

If you do not see your medical condition on the Social Security disability compassionate allowance list, you may still be approved for benefits; it will just take a little longer.

Contact a Lawyer

compassionate allowance social security

An attorney can’t get you on the CAL list if you don’t have a qualifying medical condition, but a skilled Social Security disability attorney can help streamline the application process and give you a better chance of a successful appeal.

Your lawyer:

  • Reviews your case and submit your application;
  • Gathers the right medical records and proof of your claim;
  • Guides you through the appeals process.

If your case goes to an appeal hearing, they also help you prepare and argue on your behalf.

You May Qualify for Dire Need

If your condition doesn’t qualify for CAL, you can file a “Dire Need” application instead, as long as you meet one of the following conditions:

  • You do not have food and cannot get any;
  • You cannot access medical care or necessary medication;
  • You do not have shelter or utilities in your shelter (pending eviction, for example).

Your claim application may be flagged as “dire need” in these cases, expediting the review process.

Get Timely Help and Support

The purpose of the SSA compassionate allowance program is to expedite SSI and SSDI applications for individuals who have serious medical conditions. It helps those in true need get their benefits approved faster, although it’s only open to applicants with specific medical conditions. If you are having difficulty getting your CAL approved, a disability lawyer in Los Angeles can review your claim and assist with an appeal.

Contact the Kenton Koszdin Law Office at (818) 273-6857 for a no-cost consultation with a skilled SSDI benefits attorney.

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