The Social Security Administration recently added five new medical conditions to the list of compassionate allowances. The five conditions that have been added to the Compassionate allowances list include
ibrolamellar cancer; megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS); megalencephaly capillary malformation syndrome (MCAP); superficial siderosis of the central nervous system; and tetrasomy 18p.
The list of compassionate allowances is maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA) as a list of medical conditions that meet the SSA’s standards for Social Security disability. What conditions are on the list, and knowing what conditions are on the list, is important for disabled individuals because medical conditions on the compassionate allowances list can qualify for expedited claims processing. These medical conditions are considered severe enough to meet the SSA’s standards for disability.
Once the disabled applicant has field for disability benefits, their application will be fast-tracked for processing based on the fact that it was made for a condition on the compassionate allowances list. This allows disabled individuals to receive the benefits they may desperately need more quickly. Approval of the application can be based on the medical diagnosis alone. A total of 500,000 disabled individuals have been approved for disability benefits through the fast-track process. The compassionate allowances list includes 233 medical conditions.
It is essential for disabled individuals to be aware of the compassionate allowances list, the medical conditions on that list and how to pursue a claim for benefits based on compassionate allowances. Because disabled applicants must still qualify for disability benefits by meeting work requirements, they should always understand the entire disability claims process and the options that might fit their situation.