Living with a serious health condition can be disabling for some California residents. For many, this means the inability to work, needing special medical equipment and requiring alterations to their home or vehicle to better accommodate them. This can be a very costly situation, often causing individuals to apply for Social Security disability.
While SSD benefits are available to those living with serious health conditions, the application process can feel daunting and lengthy. However, for those suffering from severe conditions, the Compassionate Allowance program may be very beneficial to them and their situation.
What is the Compassionate Allowance program?
The Social Security Administration understands that receiving SSD benefits is critical and essential for those suffering from severe medical conditions. These conditions are those that clearly meet the SSA’s definition for disability, which is why they designated a program that would help quickly and efficiently identify the claims that meet these terms.
The Compassionate Allowance program contains a list of conditions that clearly meet the standard for disability. The goal of this program is to quickly identify the claims that meet these terms in order to timely approve and provide benefits to these individuals.
Expanding the list of conditions
Recently, the SSA added to the list of Compassionate Allowance conditions, making the new total 266. Twelve conditions were added, including angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease, Mowat-Wilson syndrome and more.
This accelerated disability claim process has helped over 800,000 claimants living with severe disabilities. As such, if you are living with or recently diagnosed with a listed condition in the Compassionate Allowance program, it is important to fully understand your options and rights. This helps ensure your rights are protected and are aware of your options when it comes to appealing a denial.