#compassionate allowances

Social Security accelerates decision-making process

Social Security Social Security accelerates decision-making process for those with severe disabilities. The SSA’s Compassionate Allowances program identifies claims where an applicant’s condition or disease clearly meets its statutory standard for disability, the agency said in a press release. Because of the severe nature of these conditions, the claims are often allowed based on medical…

Social Security Administration’s Expansion of the Compassionate Allowances (CA) Program

by Vilissa Thompson, LMSW

Earlier this month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) released a…

Jan. 4, 2013 5 p.m.

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, has announced 35 additional Compassionate Allowances conditions are in effect, bringing the total number of conditions in the expedited disability process to 200.  Compassionate Allowances are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security's standards for disability benefits. The program fast-tracks disability decisions to ensure that Americans with the most serious disabilities receive their benefit decisions within days instead of months or years. These conditions primarily include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, and a number of rare disorders that affect children. "We have achieved another milestone for the Compassionate Allowances program, reaching 200 conditions," Astrue said. "Nearly 200,000 people with severe disabilities nationwide have been quickly approved, usually in less than two weeks, through the program since it began in October 2008." By definition, these conditions are so severe that Social Security does not need to fully develop the applicant's work history to make a decision. As a result, Social Security eliminated this part of the application process for people who have a condition on the list. Social Security has held seven public hearings and worked with experts to develop the list of Compassionate Allowances conditions. The hearings also have helped the agency identify ways to improve the disability process for applicants with Compassionate Allowances conditions. For more information on the Compassionate Allowances initiative, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.

Hopefully these changes translate into actual progress when they are implemented.