The Social Security Administration’s list of compassionate allowances was recently expanded to include five additional medical conditions on the list. The medical conditions that were recently added include
fibrolamellar cancer; megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS); megalencephaly capillary malformation syndrome (MCAP); superficial siderosis of the central nervous system; and tetrasomy 18p.
Individuals with one of these five medical conditions, or another one of the 233 medical conditions on the compassionate allowances list, may enjoy expedited processing of their claim for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits. The compassionate allowances list identifies medical conditions that automatically qualify for disability based on a medical diagnosis alone. The medical conditions on the list are considered so severe that they immediately qualify for disability.
Applying for disability benefits based on one of the medical conditions on the compassionate allowances list allows for the disabled individual’s application for benefits to be fast-tracked. The fast-track claims process has been used to help 500,000 disabled individuals gain approval for disability benefits. Once the disabled individual applies for SSD benefits, their application will be expedited for processing if it is based on a medical condition on the compassionate allowances list. Disabled individuals should also be aware of the work requirements that are a part of qualifying for SSD benefits.
The process of applying for disability benefits can be arduous at times which is why it is worthwhile to understand the process and options to qualify for benefits. Compassionate allowances can help disabled individuals obtain the disability benefits they need in a timely manner.