Social Security Administration expands Compassionate Allowances

Wisconsin residents may have heard that the Social Security Administration added 35 new conditions to its Compassionate Allowances program. The diseases and conditions on the Compassionate Allowances list qualify disability insurance applications for an expedited process. While most Social Security disability insurance claims take months, or even years, to process, Compassionate Allowances can be processed in a matter of days.

There are now a total of 200 diseases and conditions in the Compassionate Allowances program. The conditions covered by the program are so severe that there is no question as to whether those who have such conditions meet the standards to qualify for SSDI benefits.

Conditions that warrant a Compassionate Allowance are primarily certain types of cancers, adult brain disorders and several rare disorders that affect children.

Among the conditions that were just added to the program this week are adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma, adult onset Huntington disease, alveolar soft-part sarcoma, aplastic anemia, Menkes disease and a number of other very serious medical conditions.

Compassionate Allowances disability applications are able to be fast-tracked because the Social Security Administration requires less information than they do for a traditional disability benefits applications. While they do require clear medical documentation of the diagnosis, they do not need the detailed work history that those without a Compassionate Allowance must submit. While this may make it easier for people to apply for SSDI benefits, it still may be difficult to put together the documentation of the medical condition.

Many SSDI applicants, whether they have a disease that is afforded a Compassionate Allowance or not, are wise to work with an SSDI advocate.

Source: Cumberland Times-News, “Social Security OKs medical conditions,” Dec. 9, 2012

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