Latest news with #CompassionateAllowances
USA Today
2 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
Social Security Administration adds 13 more conditions to expedited benefits list
The Social Security Administration has added 13 new diseases and conditions to its list of disabilities, which earn those suffering serious medical issues a faster benefits application process. Those applying for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income who have conditions on the Compassionate Allowances list, or CAL, have their applications processed more quickly, the agency says. Since the program started in 2008, more than 1.1 million people with severe disabilities have been approved via the expedited process, the SSA said in a news release dated Aug. 11. 'We are constantly looking for ways to improve our disability programs and serve the public more effectively,' said SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano in the news release. "This is part of our broader commitment to making the disability determination process as responsive and compassionate as possible.' Social Security: 2026 COLA estimated at 2.7%. Why seniors still fall behind. Social Security Administration's list of conditions for expedited benefits applications The addition of the 13 conditions brings the Compassionate Allowances list to 300 serious diseases and conditions that warrant an expedited benefits process. Here are the new conditions added: "By adding these 13 conditions to the Compassionate Allowances list, we are helping more people with devastating diagnoses to quickly receive the support they need," Bisignano said. Who can apply for Social Security disability benefits? People who have been unable to work for a year (12 consecutive months) or more because of a disability can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance, the SSA says. Those whose disabilities are on the Compassionate Allowances list, will have their applications processed more quickly. Typically, SSDI applicants have a 5-month waiting period before payments begin in the sixth month after the agency approved an applicant's disability. Supplemental Security Income provides benefits for those with limited income or resources, those aged 65 or older and those who are blind or have a qualifying disability. Children with a qualifying disability can also get SSI, according to the agency's website. Applicants typically wait six to eight months for an initial decision after submitting their application, federal officials says. During the process of determining whether to approve benefits, the SSA must get applicants' medical records. In the case of CAL applicants, the agency will attempt to use technological means including electronic medical records to more quickly process the claim. "The CAL initiative acts as a fast-track to those benefits for individuals who need them most," reported financial news site Investopedia. Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X, and email him at mikegsnider & @ & @mikesnider & msnider@ What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day
Epoch Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Epoch Times
Social Security Updates 13 New Medical Conditions for Faster Benefits Processing
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has updated its Compassionate Allowances (CAL) list of severe disabilities to include 13 new medical conditions, allowing people with these illnesses to secure disability benefits faster, the agency said in an Aug. 11 statement. When an applicant's condition is mentioned on the list, SSA flags the application to expedite the review process. In certain cases, medical records may be obtained electronically, cutting down processing times even further.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Social Security Announces Major Change
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Social Security Administration announced that it has added 13 conditions to its Compassionate Allowances (CAL) list on Monday. The added conditions aim to accelerate disability determinations for people with serious medical conditions, the agency said in a press release. Why It Matters The CAL initiative was designed to fast-track claims for applicants whose diagnoses clearly met Social Security's statutory standard for disability. More than 1.1 million applicants have been approved through the accelerated pathway since CAL began, according to the SSA press release. What To Know The expansion increased the total number of conditions on the CAL list to 300, which the SSA said would help the agency reach decisions more quickly for applicants with specific, severe diseases and conditions. The 13 conditions added in the Monday announcement include: Au-Kline Syndrome Bilateral Anophthalmia Carey-Fineman-Ziter Syndrome Harlequin Ichthyosis – Child Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation LMNA-related Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Progressive Muscular Atrophy Pulmonary Amyloidosis – AL Type Rasmussen Encephalitis Thymic Carcinoma Turnpenny-Fry Syndrome WHO Grade III Meningiomas Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim Syndrome According to the SSA, when applicants submit medical evidence indicating a CAL condition, the agency can identify and prioritize those claims using advanced tools. The CAL list was first introduced to reduce waiting times for applicants with clearly disabling conditions, and the SSA said the program remains fully policy-compliant while speeding determinations for eligible claimants. File photo of a Social Security Administration office in Washington, D.C. File photo of a Social Security Administration office in Washington, D.C. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images What People Are Saying SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano, in a statement: "We are constantly looking for ways to improve our disability programs and serve the public more effectively. By adding these 13 conditions to the Compassionate Allowances list, we are helping more people with devastating diagnoses to quickly receive the support they need. This is part of our broader commitment to making the disability determination process as responsive and compassionate as possible." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "This is certainly welcome news for Americans who have any of the 13 added conditions to the list of those that now qualify for expedited consideration under the Compassionate Allowances List the administration provides. For some disability benefits under SSA, wait times can be lengthy in order for the administration to verify the potential beneficiary's condition and determine the next steps." Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "While claims still have to go through the traditional process, the agency is now using advanced technology to speed things up. If you're diagnosed with something on the Compassionate Allowances list, your claim could be processed much faster." What Happens Next The SSA encourages applicants to apply online at if they believe they have a CAL condition. "Long term, this could mean fewer delays and less financial strain for those facing serious medical conditions, but it also puts pressure on Social Security to keep up with technology and ensure the system remains fair and accurate," Thompson said.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What is SSA compassionate allowance and how can you get it?
In March 2025, Public Investigator reported on a Wisconsin man who paid into Social Security for years but after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis was unable to get disability benefits. Due to a complex rule tied to the Social Security Administration's Compassionate Allowances program, Michael Kraft had to undergo a five-month waiting period before receiving his first check. At the time, his doctors estimated that he had two weeks to live. If he died before then, his family was guaranteed none of the Social Security funds. Here's what you should know about the program. More: Wisconsin family battles Social Security Administration to secure son's funds before he dies from cancer If you have a serious disease or medical condition and think you qualify for disability benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income, you can ask to expedite your review through something called "compassionate allowance." Compassionate Allowances are expedited reviews of an individual's qualification for disability benefits. The system allows the Social Security Administration to rapidly evaluate applications for rare health conditions, cancers, adult brain disorders and childhood health disorders that fall under the agency's standard for disability if the diagnosis has been confirmed by a doctor. The Social Security Administration has a running list of conditions, diseases and illnesses that are eligible for expedited disability benefits. In order to be eligible, the disability must significantly limit a person's ability to work for at least one year. Currently, over 280 conditions are listed as Compassionate Allowances conditions, including acute leukemia, multiple sclerosis, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, ALS, early onset Alzheimer's disease, pulmonary atresia and mitochondrial disease. If you believe your condition should be added to the list, you can submit the name of a condition for consideration on the Social Security Administration website. The website will ask for information about how the condition is diagnosed, coded, and treated, among other things. You can apply to the compassionate allowances program on the Social Security Administration website, at your local Social Security office or by calling the agency at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 if you have difficulty hearing. You could be eligible if you have a disability that falls under the agency's requirements and if you have a substantial work history. In order to get Social Security Disability Insurance, you must have worked in a job that made regular Social Security contributions, meaning that you were paying a 6.2% tax into the Social Security fund. More: Wisconsin family battles Social Security Administration to secure son's funds before he dies from cancer Applications for Compassionate Allowance are automatically processed with computer screening technology that helps to quickly identify cases with "high probability of allowance," according to the Social Security Administration. Individuals whose disease or condition is on the agency's approved condition list could hear back within several weeks. Since the process requires the evaluation of medical records, depending on the complexity of the case, some reviews could take up to four months. After being approved for the Compassionate Allowances program, you are required to wait five months from the date the agency finds that your disability began before receiving your first payment. Your benefit payments will begin in the sixth month after the date that the agency finds that your disability began. There are no exceptions to the waiting rule, unless you have ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and you are approved for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. According to the Social Security Administration, no other disabilities are granted immediate payment. If you have disability that affects your ability to work for over a year or will result in death, disability benefits could range from $1,620 to $2,700 per month, according to the Social Security Administration. Supplemental Security Income provides monthly payments up to $967 for people with limited income. Some people are eligible for both Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance. You can appeal the denial of a claim for Social Security benefits within 60 days of receiving a determination notice. There are four levels of appeal, including reconsideration, hearing from an administrative law judge, review by an appeals council or federal court review. Tamia Fowlkes is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at tfowlkes@ This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What is SSA compassionate allowance and how can you get it?
