Insurance

It can take months for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine the eligibility of a person applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). For those claimants with extreme medical conditions, there is no time to wait.

According to SSA statistics, more than 2.5 million people are filing for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) every year. That is a staggering number of cases.

Disability Benefits Delivered

SSA developed the Compassionate Allowance initiative to more effectively identify applicants who clearly meet SSA's criteria of disabling conditions. A Compassionate Allowance Case (CAL) is identified as one that undeniably qualifies for SSDI benefits.

SSA has identified 50 conditions that meet the SSA's definition of a disability, which is a condition that renders someone totally unable to work for a year or longer, and could result in death. Confirmation of the medical diagnosis of the condition is often all that is needed to get approval for benefits under the Compassionate Allowance process. The application must also be as complete as possible, with supporting medical information easily obtainable. The Compassionate Allowance initiative significantly speeds up the process so that people with these conditions can get the benefits they need as soon as possible, often within days of filing for disability benefits.

Qualifying Disability Conditions Expected to Grow

The initial list of Compassionate Allowance conditions was developed through a series of public hearings. The hearings reached out to families affected by certain disabilities, the medical and scientific communities, and Social Security and Disability Determination Services (DDS). These hearings reviewed types of cancer, other rare diseases, brain injury, stroke, and dementias, such as early-onset Alzheimer's disease. SSA also identified conditions that met SSA's definition of disability.

More hearings are being planned. SSA expects that the expertise from these groups will help SSA grow the list of qualifying conditions and improve efficiencies in identifying people who immediately qualify for SSDI benefits.

Expediting Disability Claims

The Compassionate Allowance initiative also established a Quick Disability Determination (QDD) process for DDS state agencies to follow. Special units within the agencies expedite benefits quickly to those claimants who clearly meet the criteria for Social Security Disability insurance. Claims are processed within 20 days, instead of months.

Applying for Disability Benefits

Filing for disability benefits, however, can be a daunting experience. The SSA Web site provides the current list of 50 conditions that qualify for Compassionate Allowance, and an online application process.

SSDI advocacy groups also offer expert guidance and help with filing for disability benefits.

According to SSA's Web site, "Social Security has an obligation to provide benefits quickly to applicants whose medical conditions are so serious that their conditions obviously meet disability standards." The Compassionate Allowance initiative is helping to more efficiently meet that obligation.