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SSA’s Compassionate Allowance Disability Program: What You Need to Know

January 15, 2021 Disability

A Baltimore Disability Attorney Explains the SSA’s Compassionate Allowance Program

The Social Security Administration (SSA) supports individuals suffering from serious and often terminal illnesses (such as cancer) through what is known as Compassionate Allowances. These allowances apply to situations where individuals are diagnosed with medical conditions so severe that the SSA will process the disability applications much faster than other applications. In such cases, the Administration often requires minimal medical information and documentation to be submitted to help the applicant get the benefits they need quickly. Examples of some conditions that may qualify for a Compassionate Allowance include, but are not limited to:

  • Certain cancers
  • Adult brain disorders
  • Rare disorders affecting children

The Compassionate Allowance program will identify disability claims where an applicant’s medical condition clearly meets the SSA’s statutory definition for disability.  The SSA uses a medical guide known as the Blue Book to evaluate an applicant’s medical condition to determine whether the applicant has a qualifying disability.  The Blue Book includes medical criteria that must be met for a condition to qualify.  This is the same guide that the SSA uses when evaluating traditional claims under both the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. 

The SSA is fortunate to have cutting-edge technology to quickly identify applications that likely meet the Compassionate Allowance program’s requirements.  This reduces the waiting time to reach a disability determination for applicants with the most severe medical conditions. 

Unfortunately, even with the expedited review, these applications can be complicated. To help ensure your application is completed correctly and is approved as fast as possible the first time, you may want to speak with an experienced Baltimore disability attorney.  

An Experienced Baltimore Disability Attorney Can Help With Your Disability Application

After being told about a severe and life-threatening medical condition, the last thing you need is to deal with a complex disability application and lots of red tape to get the benefits you deserve. The good news is that help is available.  An experienced Baltimore disability attorney at the Law Office of Emmett B. Irwin can help take at least one burden off of your plate by completing your disability application (including collecting necessary medical records) on your behalf.  

Our firm can help you regardless of where you are in the disability application process, from the initial completion of the disability application to staying on top of requests from the examiner for more information. We can also assist with the disability appeals process if your application is not approved initially. An experienced disability attorney can help you with your disability case every step of the way so you can focus on treatment for your serious medical condition.  We are here for you.

Contact a Baltimore Disability Attorney at The Law Office of Emmett B. Irwin Today

If you suffer from a serious medical condition such as cancer, you may qualify for a Compassionate Allowance and could have the review of your disability application expedited.  For questions about the disability application process or the SSA’s Compassionate Allowance program, contact an experienced Baltimore disability attorney at the Law Office of Emmett B. Irwin today.  We can help you obtain the benefits you deserve.  We work with clients throughout Maryland and surrounding states.