We have written previously about just how critical the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Compassionate Allowances program is. This program allows individuals with debilitating, otherwise severe and/or potentially fatal conditions to have their applications for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits fast tracked. Provided that the relevant medical diagnosis is properly confirmed and all paperwork is appropriately filled out, benefits applicants eligible for the Compassionate Allowances program may receive their SSD benefits in a matter of days or weeks.
In mid-January, the SSA announced that 25 new conditions are now eligible for fast-tracking through the Compassionate Allowances program. These new conditions include 12 types of cancer not previously included on the Compassionate Allowances eligibility list. In addition, the newly recognized conditions also include Sjogren-Larsson Syndrome, Chronic Idiopathic Intestinal Pseudo Obstruction, and Progressive Bulbar Palsy. In all, 225 conditions are now officially flagged as eligible for Compassionate Allowances.
In speaking for the SSA, its Acting Commissioner of Social Security recently noted that "We are dedicated to providing vulnerable Americans with faster access to disability benefits through our Compassionate Allowances program. Social Security disability benefits are a vital lifeline for individuals who are facing severe diseases and we must ensure that they receive the benefits they rightly deserve."
The complete list of conditions eligible for Compassionate Allowances can be viewed on the SSA's website. If you or a loved one may be eligible for this fast-tracking process, please contact an attorney experienced in this process who can help you navigate the necessary paperwork.
