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What are compassionate allowances for disability?

People who become disabled due to a medical condition or injury that’s expected to last at least 12 months may opt to file a claim for disability payments through the Social Security Administration. One issue that people face is that the application process is very lengthy, and some people have to go through appeals to get the benefits they’re due. 

For people who have conditions that are catastrophic or that are expected to result in death, waiting out the normal application process might not be possible. The SSA has a list of conditions known as the Compassionate Allowances List to help ensure that people with certain conditions can receive benefits quickly. 

How do compassionate allowances work?

The automated system that accepts applications for disability flags applications that have one of the conditions on the Compassionate Allowances List. As long as there’s enough medical evidence that the applicant has the condition, the application is approved. 

The list of conditions includes certain cancers, early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and some congenital conditions. There are more than 200 conditions on this list. The list is continually updated as it’s found that medical conditions meet the requirements for the fast-track process. 

Making sure that you file a complete application that includes all the medical conditions you’ve been diagnosed with is crucial when you’re trying to obtain Social Security Disability. While people with conditions on the Compassionate Allowances List will usually receive the benefits they need quickly, that’s not always how it happens. Seeking assistance from someone familiar with the situation is beneficial so you can meet critical deadlines.