Compassionate Allowances for Expedited Disability Review

Beginning in 2012, the Social Security Administration developed the compassionate allowance program in an effort to expedite the disability review process for applicants whose medical condition were so serious it met the disability standards.

To be considered and approved under compassionate allowance:

• Your diagnosis must be on the Compassionate Allowance list (CAL);

and

• You must be able to submit medical records that support your advanced diagnosis when you are submitting your initial claim.

Unfortunately, you still have to wait five months after your disability onset date to begin receiving SSDI benefits and 24 months after your disability onset date before Medicare benefits begin. But, being deemed disabled by social security opens the door for you to receive other benefits.

A complete list of diagnoses can be found online in the Compassionate Allowance List at www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/conditions.htm