The Social Security Compassionate Allowance List

An individual with a condition that is listed on the Compassionate Allowance List (CAL) will have their claim expedited. The Social Security Administration has established a goal of processing these claims within 20 days. In order to be recognized as having a condition on the CAL, an individual must allege their condition in their benefit's application. While having an illness on the CAL should result in individuals having their claim expedited, there are a number of factors that can protract this treatment including how quickly the Social Security Administration (SSA) gathers medical documentation, whether the SSA decides that a medical examination is necessary and whether a claim will be randomly selected for audit. As a result, in order to make sure that an individual is placed on the CAL, it is frequently helpful to retain the expertise of an experienced attorney.

The Purpose of the Compassionate Allowance List

In 2008, the Social Security Administration created the CAL for individuals whose health is highly compromised. The amount of paperwork required for an application is reduced dramatically for individuals who have medical conditions that qualify them for the list. As a result, individuals frequently do not need to list information about work or education. While the CAL contained 50 conditions when it was created, the list now includes over 200 illnesses. For some of the conditions on the CAL, proof of a diagnosis of the illness is enough to qualify for the expedited process through the program. Other individuals including those with certain types of cancer must present medical evidence showing significant metastases, recurrence, or a diagnosis that the cancer is inoperable.

Medical Conditions on the Compassionate Allowance List

While there are many medical conditions on the CAL, some of the most common medical conditions include the following:

• Acute Leukemia
• Adrenal Cancer with Distant Metastases
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Bladder Cancer with Distant Metastases
• Breast Cancer with Distant Metastases
• Child Neuroblastoma
• Child Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Esophageal Cancer
• Gallbladder Cancer
• Head and Neck Cancers with Distant Metastases
• Heart Transplant Graft Failure
• Inflammatory Breast Cancer
• Juvenile Onset Huntington Disease
• Kidney Cancer
• Large Intestine Cancer with Distant Metastases
• Liver Cancer
• Malignant Melanoma with Distant Metastases
• Mixed Dementias
• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Distant Metastases
• Ovarian Cancer with Distant Metastases
• Small Cell Lung Cancer
• Small Intestine Cancer with Distant Metastases
• Stomach Cancer with Distant Metastases
• Ureter Cancer with Distant Metastases

Obtain the Assistance of an Experienced Disability Lawyer

It is important to remember that an individual will receive no additional rewards after qualifying for the CAL, but the individual’s case will be significantly expedited. Individuals who are afflicted with a condition that is listed on the CAL should not hesitate to retain the assistance of a knowledgeable disability attorney. At Whitcomb, Selinsky, PC and its disability arm, Rocky Mountain Disability Law Group, our law firm has the experience necessary to navigate an SSDI claim. Our firm can be contacted at (303) 534-1958 or by filling out our quick and convenient online form.