The Compassionate Allowances program quickly identifies claims where the applicant’s condition or disease clearly meets Social Security’s statutory standard for disability. Due to the severe nature of many of these conditions, these claims are often allowed based on medical confirmation of the diagnosis alone. To date, more than 800,000 people with severe disabilities have been approved through this accelerated, policy-compliant disability process, which has grown to a total of 266 conditions.

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“The Social Security Administration is committed to reducing barriers and ensuring people who are eligible for benefits receive them,” said Acting Commissioner Kijakazi. “Our Compassionate Allowances program allows us to strengthen that commitment by accelerating the disability application process for people with the most severe disabilities.”

When a person applies for disability benefits, Social Security must obtain medical records in order to make an accurate determination. The agency incorporates leading technology to identify potential Compassionate Allowances cases and make quick decisions. Social Security’s Health IT brings the speed and efficiency of electronic medical records to the disability determination process. With electronic records transmission, Social Security can quickly obtain a claimant’s medical information, review it, and make a fast determination.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has taken significant steps to ensure that individuals with severe disabilities receive expedited benefits through its Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program. In 2022, the agency expanded the list of conditions qualifying for fast-tracked disability determinations, demonstrating a continued commitment to aiding those in urgent need of assistance.

The Compassionate Allowances program is designed to identify medical conditions that inherently meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits. These conditions include severe diseases, rare disorders, and terminal illnesses that significantly impact an individual’s ability to work. By streamlining the application process, SSA reduces waiting times for individuals who qualify, ensuring they receive benefits as quickly as possible.

Recognizing the need to support more people facing life-threatening and debilitating conditions, SSA added several new conditions to the CAL list in 2022. The expansion aimed to help those suffering from rare diseases, aggressive cancers, and neurological disorders. Some of the new conditions added to the list included:

• Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma

• Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm

• Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker Disease

• Microvillus Inclusion Disease

• Mowat-Wilson Syndrome

• Myelodysplastic Syndromes with Excess Blasts

These additions reflect the SSA’s ongoing collaboration with medical experts, advocacy groups, and public input to ensure that individuals with the most severe disabilities are recognized and supported.

One of the most critical aspects of the Compassionate Allowances program is its ability to fast-track disability claims. Traditionally, disability benefit applications undergo a lengthy review process, which can take months or even years. However, applicants with CAL-designated conditions often receive decisions within weeks. This acceleration is crucial for individuals facing severe health challenges and financial hardships.