In a press release issued in January 2014, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that they have expanded their Compassionate Allowance List (CAL) to include 25 new conditions. This brings the total number of conditions that meet the SSA CAL standards to 225. These 225 conditions include various types of cancer, neurological diseases, and immune system disorders.
The purpose of the SSA’s CAL designation is to provide expedited claim processing for claimant’s who likely meet the disability standards. By creating the CAL, the SSA is able to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that qualify under the Listing of Impairments.
If you have a condition on the CAL list, you still must meet the technical requirements for either the Disability Insurance Benefit (DIB) or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. For DIB claims, you must have earned enough work credits to be insured by the SSA. If you are filing for SSI, you must meet the financial need thresholds set forth by the SSA.
If you meet the technical requirements, the SSA will expedite the processing of your claim by using minimal objective medical evidence that they attempt to obtain as quickly as possible. The typical claimant waits at least three to six months for their initial decision. Claimant’s with a CAL condition will typically receive their decision within a matter of weeks.
To read the full press release on the SSA’s website click here. You can also read more about the SSA’s Compassionate Allowance program by clicking here.
