New Changes to the Compassionate Allowances Program Accelerates Decision Process
The Social Security disability claims process takes months or longer to earn approval — unless they qualify for the Compassionate Allowances program. The good news is, there are some disabilities that could qualify for a faster approval process. It’s called the Compassionate Allowances Program — and new conditions were recently added to the list. If you believe your disability might be one of them, read on.
Here, the disability team at Watson and Carroll, LLO, PC, discusses the addition of 12 conditions to the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program, as well as how CAL works.
Social Security Disability Lawyer in Omaha and Council Bluffs
Watson & Carroll, P.C., L.L.O.’s Social Security Disability team can help you secure benefits needed to support yourself, whether you meet the Compassionate Allowances list or not. Chellsie Weber, our wildly successful and experienced disability attorney, and Abby Reid, our wonderful and thorough disability paralegal, can offer support and advice as it pertains to your disability and the benefits approval process. Remember, you’re more likely to have a successful disability claim with an attorney by your side. Call us today at 402-991-2100. You also can share your story here.
What Are Compassionate Allowances?
Compassionate Allowances are a way to quickly identify medical issues that meet the SSA standards to qualify for disability benefits. These conditions include certain cancers, rare diseases that affect children, and adult brain disorders. To qualify through the Compassionate Allowances list, a claimant must be able to provide hard medical evidence to back up their claim, so they can show that they have a confirmed diagnosis of the condition and how it affects them. With the proper documentation, the claim can be approved within a matter of weeks rather than a matter of months.
More Conditions Added To CAL
As of August 15, 2022, the SSA has added 12 more conditions to the Compassionate Allowances program. The medical conditions added to the program include:
- Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma
- Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm
- Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker Disease
- Microvillus Inclusion Disease – Child
- Mowat-Wilson Syndrome
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Excess Blasts
- NUT Carcinoma
- Pfeiffer Syndrome – Types II and III
- Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia
- Posterior Cortical Atrophy
- Renal Amyloidosis – AL Type
- Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma
More than 80,000 claimants have been approved through the CAL program, according to the SSA. The CAL program has grown to now include 266 conditions.
Filing A Disability Claim
Just because you file a claim for a condition on the CAL list, your claims approval is not guaranteed. You must provide the required documentation and supporting evidence for your claim. That means you must show that you have a confirmed diagnosis and that you are being treated for the condition in question.
If you suffer from a condition included in the CAL program, consult with an experienced disability attorney with Watson and Carroll, LLO, PC, to discuss how you can get your claim underway. An attorney can also help you gather supporting evidence and documentation.
About Watson & Carroll
Watson & Carroll, P.C., L.L.O., is not a high-volume law firm that only speaks with clients when it is absolutely necessary. For us, it’s personal. Our team works closely with our clients and their loved ones – not only so that we understand their challenges and concerns, but so we can tailor our approach to address those factors, aggressively pursue results, and secure peace of mind. Whether it is a medical malpractice case or advocating for disability benefits, we work to protect our clients and make sure their rights are upheld.
Our firm can help. Call 402-991-2100 or email contact@watsoncarroll.com. You also can fill out our confidential contact form.