The Compassionate Allowances is a program created by Social Security to grant benefits quickly and efficiently to individuals who are disabled. It allows the Social Security Administration to make a determination based on limited medical information to decide whether the applicant meets the Listing of Impairments. The conditions that qualify for Compassionate Allowances are determined by using information gathered by the Social Security Administration from public outreach hearings, Social Security Disability Determination Services centers, medical and scientific experts, and research from the National Institutes of Health. The benefit amount awarded to individuals with Compassionate Allowance conditions does not differ from other types of claims. The application process is also the same as the standard process for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income, but claims based on Compassionate Allowance conditions will be expedited.
You can benefit from the assistance of an attorney even if you have a health condition that qualifies for Compassionate Allowances. The attorney can speed up the process by assisting you with the initial application, requesting relevant medical records, and representing you in a hearing if necessary.
For a list of conditions that qualify for Compassionate Allowances, please visit: http://www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/conditions.htm
