The Social Security Compassionate Allowance Initiative
Compassionate Allowance
Summary: The Compassionate Allowance initiative quickly identifies individuals who undeniably qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income. Disability benefits for these cases are received within days of filing applications for benefits.
The Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Compassionate Allowance initiative effectively identifies applicants who clearly meet SSA’s criteria of disabling conditions. Claims are processed within days instead of months, so that disability benefits can be expedited quickly.
SSA continues to expand its list of qualifying medical conditions. Currently there are 200 conditions that meet SSA’s definition of disability, which is a condition that renders someone totally unable to work for a year or longer, and could result in death. These conditions primarily include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, and severe heart diseases.
Confirmation of the medical diagnosis of the condition is often all that is needed to get approved for benefits under the Compassionate Allowance process. However, the application must be as complete as possible, with supporting medical information easily obtainable.
If you think your condition qualifies under the Compassionate Allowance initiative, Freedom Disability can help prepare a complete application package for you so that you can receive disability benefits as soon as possible. Contact us so that we can help you.
There are currently 200 medical conditions that qualify for Compassionate Allowance consideration. SSA expects to expand this list over time.
Current Compassionate Allowance Conditions
- Acute Leukemia
- Adrenal Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable, unresectable or recurrent
- Adult Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Adult Onset Huntington Disease
- Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome
- Alexander Disease (ALX) – Neonatal and Infantile
- Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome
- Alobar Holoprosencephaly
- Alpers Disease
- Alpha Mannosidosis – Type II and III
- Alstrom Syndrome
- Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma
- Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Anaplastic Adrenal Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable, unresectable or recurrent
- Angelman Syndrome
- Aortic Atresia
- Aplastic Anemia
- Astrocytoma – Grade III and IV
- Ataxia Telangiectasia
- Batten Disease
- Beta Thalassemia Major
- Bilateral Optic Atrophy- Infantile
- Bilateral Retinoblastoma
- Bladder Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable or unresectable
- Breast Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable or unresectable
- Canavan Disease (CD)
- Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Site
- Caudal Regression Syndrome – Types III and IV
- Cerebro Oculo Facio Skeletal (COFS) Syndrome
- Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis
- Child Neuroblastoma – with distant metastases or recurrent
- Child Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma – recurrent
- Child T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
- Chondrosarcoma – with multimodal therapy
- Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) – Blast Phase
- Congenital Lymphedema
- Cornelia de Lange Syndrome
- Corticobasal Degeneration
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) – Adult
- Cri du Chat Syndrome
- Degos Disease – Systemic
- DeSanctis Cacchione Syndrome
- Dravet Syndrome
- Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
- Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18)
- Eisenmenger Syndrome
- Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma
- Endomyocardial Fibrosis
- Ependymoblastoma (Child Brain Tumor)
- Erdheim Chester Disease
- Esophageal Cancer
- Ewing Sarcoma
- Farber’s Disease (FD) – Infantile
- Fatal Familial Insomnia
- Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva
- Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma – metastatic or recurrent
- Friedreichs Ataxia (FRDA)
- Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Picks Disease -Type A – Adult
- Fryns Syndrome
- Fucosidosis – Type 1
- Fukuyama Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
- Fulminant Giant Cell Myocarditis
- Galactosialidosis – Early and Late Infantile Types
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Gaucher Disease (GD) – Type 2
- Glioblastoma Multiforme (Adult Brain Tumor)
- Glioma Grade III and IV
- Glutaric Acidemia – Type II
- Head and Neck Cancers – with distant metastasis or inoperable or unresectable
- Heart Transplant Graft Failure
- Heart Transplant Wait List – 1A/1B
- Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) – Familial Type
- Hepatoblastoma
- Hepatopulmonary Syndrome
- Hepatorenal Syndrome
- Histiocytosis Syndromes
- Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome
- Hydranencephaly
- Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis Syndrome
- Hypophosphatasia Perinatal (Lethal) and Infantile Onset Types
- Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
- I Cell disease
- Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Infantile Free Sialic Acid Storage Disease
- Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (INAD)
- Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)
- Jervell and Lange-Nielsen Syndrome
- Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa – Lethal Type
- Juvenile Onset Huntington Disease
- Kidney Cancer – inoperable or unresectable
- Krabbe Disease (KD) – Infantile
- Kufs Disease – Type A and B
- Large Intestine Cancer – with distant metastasis or inoperable, unresectable or recurrent
- Late Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses
- Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Recipient
- Leigh’s Disease
- Leiomyosarcoma
- Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome (LNS)
- Lewy Body Dementia
- Lissencephaly
- Liver Cancer
- Lowe Syndrome
- Lymphomatoid Granulomatosis – Grade III
- Malignant Brain Stem Gliomas – Childhood
- Malignant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
- Malignant Germ Cell Tumor
- Malignant Melanoma – with metastases
- Malignant Multiple Sclerosis
- Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL)
- Maple Syrup Urine Disease
- Mastocytosis – Type IV
- MECP2 Duplication Syndrome
- Medulloblastoma – with metastases
- Menkes Disease – Classic or Infantile Onset Form
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma – with metastases
- Merosin Deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
- Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) – Late Infantile
- Mitral Valve Atresia
- Mixed Dementias
- MPS I, formerly known as Hurler Syndrome
- MPS II, formerly known as Hunter Syndrome
- MPS III, formerly known as Sanfilippo Syndrome
- Mucosal Malignant Melanoma
- Multicentric Castleman Disease
- Multiple System Atrophy
- Myoclonic Epilepsy with Ragged Red Fibers Syndrome
- Neonatal Adrenoleukodystrophy
- Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis
- Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation – Types 1 and 2
- NFU-1 Mitochondrial Disease
- Niemann-Pick Disease (NPD) – Type A
- Niemann-Pick Disease-Type C
- Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer – with metastases to or beyond the hilar nodes or inoperable, unresectable or recurrent
- Obliterative Bronchiolitis
- Ohtahara Syndrome
- Ornithine Transcarbamylase (OTC) Deficiency
- Orthochromatic Leukodystrophy with Pigmented Glia
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) – Type II
- Osteosarcoma, formerly known as Bone Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable or unresectable
- Ovarian Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable or unresectable
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Paraneoplastic Pemphigus
- Patau Syndrome (Trisomy 13)
- Pearson Syndrome
- Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease-Classic Form
- Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease-Connatal Form
- Peripheral Nerve Cancer – metastatic or recurrent
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma
- Peritoneal Mucinous Carcinomatosis
- Perry Syndrome
- Phelan-McDermid Syndrome
- Pleural Mesothelioma
- Pompe Disease – Infantile
- Primary Cardiac Amyloidosis
- Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma
- Primary Effusion Lymphoma
- Primary Progressive Aphasia
- Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
- Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
- Pulmonary Atresia
- Pulmonary Kaposi Sarcoma
- Retinopathy of Prematurity – Stage V
- Rett (RTT) Syndrome
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata
- Roberts Syndrome
- Salivary Tumors
- Sandhoff Disease
- Schindler Disease – Type 1
- Severe Combined Immunodeficiency – Childhood
- Single Ventricle
- Sinonasal Cancer
- Small Cell Cancer (of the Large Intestine, Ovary, Prostate, or Uterus)
- Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Small Intestine Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable, unresectable or recurrent
- Smith Lemli Opitz Syndrome
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) – Types 0 and 1
- Spinal Nerve Root Cancer-metastatic or recurrent
- Spinocerebellar Ataxia
- Stiff Person Syndrome
- Stomach Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable, unresectable or recurrent
- Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis
- Tabes Dorsalis
- Tay Sachs Disease – Infantile Type
- Thanatophoric Dysplasia – Type 1
- The ALS/Parkinsonism Dementia Complex
- Thyroid Cancer
- Transplant Coronary Artery Vasculopathy
- Tricuspid Atresia
- Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
- Ureter Cancer – with distant metastases or inoperable, unresectable or recurrent
- Usher Syndrome – Type I
- Walker Warburg Syndrome
- Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome
- Wolman Disease
- Xeroderma Pigmentosum
- Zellweger Syndrome
The foregoing information is based on published materials from the Social Security Administration including “Disability Evaluation Under Social Security”. It is meant to serve as an introduction to some of the factors used by the SSA in evaluating cases. It is no way comprehensive. While Freedom Disability Services can help you prepare an effective application for benefits, only the SSA can determine whether or not you qualify. For more information call Freedom today at (866) 761-5942.
I’ve had brain surgery 4 times for hydrosephilus and I am having short term memory loss which I’m trying to find an answer. My doctor recommended another MRI which I’m looking for ways to pay for another one. I need some assistance in paying for it
How well does 3 hurniAted disks and multiple pinched nerves qualify for disability assistance
Adam,
If you are unable to work at any job and have paid into Social Security long enough you could be eligible. There are many factors involved in getting approved. If you want to pursue the process it would be advisable to call in to an eligibility consultant here at 866-347-2910 to discuss your options.
I have RSD Reflex Sympathetic Distrophy. I have to take 100MG of Morphine every 8HRS and 10/325 of Vicodin every 4HRS inbetween to TOLERATE my pain, it never goes away, that just takes the edge off. How am I supposed to work that way? I’m not a Rocket Scientist, but I do believe driving long distance is not a good thing to be doing on that Medication,not to mention Driving makes me worse.Is there any way I can get qualified for Disability?
Diane,
If your condition intereferes with your ability to work at any job, and you have the support of your doctors as well as a recent-enough work history where you paid into Social Security, you could be eligible. We would have to evaluate more information to better advise you. If interested please call in to 866-347-2910 or submit our online form which is available on this page.
Ive had 2 back surgerys with in a year , a insulin diabettic, have fibromyasia,and nueropathy i have many more bad days and few good days. Some nights i cant even sleep i hurt so bad. Do you think i would qualify. I dont no of any kind of job i can do.I cant sit to long or stand to long and walking is hard for me to.
Cherry,
Your condition may meet SSA’s definition of disability if it is severe enough to prevent you from working. You also must meet SSA’s work eligibility criteria which is that you must have paid into Social Security long enough and recently enough, generally five years within the last 10-year period depending on your age.
IN 2008 I HAD A SLIP AND FALL AT WORK I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH DEGENERATED DISC DISEASE, BULGING DISC .MOST DAYS I CANT GET OUT OF BED WITHOUT TAKING NAPROXEN,A MUSCLE RELAXER,AND LORTABS MY BODY IS IN CONSTANT PAIN MY FINGERS GO NUMB.I HAVE PAIN FROM MY NECK ALL THE WAY DOWN TO MY TOES DAILY AND CONSTANTLY SITTING HURTS,STANDING HURTS WORSER AND I LAY AWAKE AT NIGHT CANT SLEEP DUE TO PAIN
I did all the above for my deg disc even fusions, oblations, implanted a neurostimulator, that abscessed 5 days later and they had to remove it… believe me nothing helps the pains then your entire arms go numb after a while ps. dont do the nerve blocks they dont tell you the nerves grow back
I have a frind that has seizures & he takes medicine for them but continues to have them. He has lost a couple of jobs due to them. Does he have a chance for SSD?
Samantha,
We need to know more about your friend. We need to find out if he meets SSA’s eligiblity requirements. The severity of his condtion, hIs age, work history and education are all factors in determining eligibility. It would be best to have your friend call in toll free to talk to one of our Eligibility Consultants at 866-347-2910,
I’m a 39 yr.old who had two strokes in 2010 and have a cervical herniated disk that the dr’s or scared to operate on just found out in July that i have patella femoral syndrome and can barely walk at times the left kneecap isn’t on at all have been denied disability 5 times already can’t get any medical help either what should i do got help from an attorney but never get anwsers to any of my questions it’s unbelievable.
Veronica,
If you are having problems getting medical help, perhaps you can find resources to help you at the government Web sites http://www.healthcare.gov or http://www.disability.gov. SSA should have provided reasons for denying you. Maybe the documentation and information you provided when you applied was not complete enough or convincing enough to prove that your medical condition is so severe it is preventng you from working at any job. Or they may think that you’re young enough to retrain for different work. However, from what you describe, it does sound like your conditions are serious. If you meet SSA’s eligibility criteria, and you want to pursue disability benefits again, you should get a disability expert to help you. I suggest calling us for a free evaluation of your case at 866-347-2910 and to get your questions answered.
I am employed as a teacher, but the work is difficult ie. the boss is unsupportive and I have to deal with physically abusive adult autistic patients on a daily basis I have stage 4 Kidney Cancer that has metastasized to my bones. I’m in constant pain. I take pain meds. daily. I’m 52 yrs old and have a 25yr. work hx. – but when I call social security lawyers….they just tell me that because I’m still working I can’t apply for disability. I feel like I live in a DEATH CAMP. Do I have to be homeless and penniless and willing to have my skin made into a lampshade to get disability in the USA?
Ronald,
I’m so sorry about your situation. It is very true that if you are still working and earning above substantial gainful activity, which is currently set at $1,000 a month, that means to Social Security that you are still able to work regardless of your serious condition. Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) is intended for people with disabilities who are unable to work at all and at any job, because of a disabling medical condition that is expected to last 12 months or longer, or, unfortunately, result in death. I also know that in some states, teachers do not pay into Social Security through payroll taxes,which would mean that they are not insured for SSDI. I assume that you have, otherwise you wouldn’t try to pursue SSDI. Considering your serious condition, which is recognized as a Compassionate Allowance condition, perhaps you should talk with your local Social Security office about this, especially if you’re reaching the point where you can no longer work.
I have been suffering from blinding migraines which at this time keep me out of work, I can only work part time I am 50 years old and have worked for over 35 years and because I work part time making $13 an hour (which is no a livable wage) I can not apply for SSDI. I have the backing of my neurologist I have had 10 MRI’s and Cat scans since spending a whole week in May in the hospital with such dibilitating migraines they could not control. This has affected my vision, my speech, my memory and I have less use of my left side than my right, because my husband is retired military and has a pension I am told that I do not qualify. I am still trying to be a productive member of society and by doing so am being penalized for a disability that keeps me from work 1 to 3 days a week and all weekends. What do I have to do cut my part time hours to 0 lose my home, car and live on the streets? I sure seems hopeless for me and I know of personally a psychologist who is claiming disability making $2500 a month and still seeing patients talk about an unfair system.
Dianna,
I know it doesn’t seem fair but there are very strict rules to be eligible for Social Security disabillity insurance (SSDI. A major one is that you either are unable to work due to a severe disabling medical condition or you are unable to earn substantial gainful activity (SGA), which is currently set at $1,000 a month. At this point in time, you apparently are able to hold on to your part time job and earn more than SGA. To demonstrate how complicated this is, there are also situations where someone earns less than $1,000 but puts in a lot of hours at a job. This would mean to SSA that the person has the physical ability to work. Also, keep in mind that the longer you work and pay into Social Security, the more your benefit will be when you need it, either for retirement or disability. One thing I’d like to point out is that each case for SSDI is different. There are unique circumstances surrounding each one. There is an article on this Web site about “Social Security Disability Fraud and the Next Door Neighbor Syndrome” which I think is worth a read. Though you may think the system is unfair, it must adhere to the rules that ultimately, ensure fairness. If one day you decide to apply for SSDI, we can help you work through the same craiteria that must be followed to determine your case too. Take care.
I have copd with oxygen therapy,taking 3 inhalers and two medications and still waiting on a decision from social security.
I have Pulmonary Atresia and I apply to this but when I called SSI early today they said I didn’t apply for this even though my Severe Illness is on the list. I think SSI is giving me the run around.
Charity,
When you apply to Social Security for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) you have to provide medical proof of your disabling condition and you must meet a certain level of income and resources to qualify for this needs-based program. If you apply for SSDI, or Social Security disability insurance, you must be insured for this benefit through your work history. Even if you have a qualifying medical condition, you must meet the required eligibility criteria for either benefit. If you need help or would like to discuss your options for disability benefits, you can call in to talk to an Eligibility Consultant at 866-761-5942.
I am applying to SSI because I was getting SSI from 6 months old until I was 26. They cut me off without a warning or letter because they said I didnt comply with Vocational Rehabilitation when I was 19 years old. But I did comply with VR but I believe it was an excuse to cut me off. I been had the same condition since I was born Pulmonary Atresia with VSD and Tetralogy of Fallot. Which are both Serious Heart Diseases, which will never change. I will always have this disease until I die. I am a New York Class Three, which is the second highest you can be, New York Class Four is the highest. I been turned down 4 times over the last 3 1/2 years. I have reapplied again last year, but I was wondering about this program. I can easily submit my medical records because I do have this condition, will always have it.
Charity,
I wish I knew why you’re having difficulty getting SSI reinstated. You do have a serious impairment. But there must be some eligiblity factor involved in their decision. I would guess that you know what SSA says about rehabilitation in their Red Book. I also hope you know that you can appeal SSA”s decision., but there’s a strict time frame in which to do so. This SSA booklet explains the Appeals process for SSI claims. I don’t think SSA is intentionally trying to hurt you by denying you benefits. It’s all about the rules. I think you should get a local lawyer to help you either with your application, or an appeal. Unfortunately, we only take an SSI claim that is concurrent with an SSDI claim. I am sorry I can’t be of more help to you.
I didn’t want you to take the claim, I was only asking about the Compassionate Allowance Program. I asked SSI about that, they didnt seem like they wanted to help me. They gave me the run around saying I am not elgible even though my Severe condition is on the Compassionate Allowance Program list.
I do believe SSI is intentionally trying to hurt me, because I had this disablity since I was born and I will always have this disablity. While drug addicts and people who fake being disable can get what they want from SSI without any problems. But a person like me who has a real medical condition that will never change, can be cut off without even a damn letter.
Is Fibromayalgia, and blood clot , history,and arthritis,and deep vein thermbosis on the ssa list i can’t sit or stand for long periods of time,and i have been a caregiver since i was 19 and I have worked in the field for 20 years i currently work part time but doctor is recomending i retire from being a Cna as my body can’t handle the physical strain anymore.I see hin this month and at that point i will probbly have to tell him i am ready to start the process,as things are getting worse i am really struggling to preform my work duties and i am very painful but can’t take alot of things bec of blood clot side affects.i know the doctors right i can’t enjoy alot of things i used to do anymore,I am 39 i did not think things would progress this quick even working part time is really taking its toll on my body physically i get shortness of breath when i exert myself,and i am tired all the time have trouble sleeping and when i do get some sleep i never feel rested.I am considering calling your agency but i do not know if u have people to represent me here in Grand Rapids Michigan or furthur up north in newaygo michigan,please send me a reply sure would appreciate it.Thank u Tina
hello, i am 24 yrs old and I have bilateral perthies (?) desease and i was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 5, learning disability and a few yrs ago with Bi-polar and I was told that I might qualify for disability. Can you help?
Hello, my 6 yr old grandson had brain surgery still has some of the tumor near a vien they didnt remove because if they removed it all they would have put him into a stroke so they are keeping an eye on it. but he came out of the surgery well for what they have removed, my concern if that tumor does grow what happens? does he qualify for SSDI?
Russ,
Thanks for your comment, but unfortunately he does not qualify for SSDI beneifts. SSDI ( or Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits are for those who have worked full time for at least 5 out of the last ten years and have a severe medical condition that is preventing them from returning to the work force for at least one year. Becuase of these qualifications you need to be 18 years or older.
Hi! I have scoliosis with degenerative disk space narrowing L3/4, L4/5, and also mild degenerative disk space disease C5/6,C6/7, and also a lumbar herniated disk in L4/5. That has kept me out of work and the doctor wrote down as far as returning to work it is undetermined. I am in pain every single day and I am wondering if I qualify for any kind of disability.
Hi Kathryn,
Thanks for your comment. You may be eligible for SSDI or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. In order for the SSA to decide your condition is ‘severe,’ it must disable you and significantly impair your ability to work for at least one year. You also must have paid into the Social Security Disability system for at least 5 out of the last 10 years . If you feel you meet these requirements, I would recommend speaking to one of our Eligibility Consultants. This free consultation that will give you some more information on what your next steps should be. I hope you’ll call us at 866-761-5942.
I would like to speak to someone to help me to start the process.
Hi Lisa,
The first step is going to be speaking to one of our Eligibility Consultatnts here at Freedom Disability. They will ask you a few questions about your medical condition(s) and past work history to determine your eligibility. This is a free consultation, that will give you some information on what your next steps should be regarding the SSDI application process. I hope you’ll give us a call at 866-761-5942. We look foward to speaking with you.
I was wondering if i would qualify. My MRI showed i have degenerative disk and facet disease L4-5 and L5-S1. There is a broad based slightly right paracentral disk protrusion/extrusion L4-5 results in right greater than left lateral recess stenosis. Diffuse annular disk bulge with central annular tear present L5-S1 contacting the S1 nerve roots in the lateral recesses.
Hi Brett,
Thank you for your comment. In order to determine your eligibility, you will need to speak with one of our Eligibility Consultatnts here at Freedom Disability. They will ask you a few questions about your medical condition(s) and past work history to determine your eligibility. This is a free consultation, that will give you some information on what your next steps should be regarding the SSDI application process. I hope you’ll give us a call at 866-761-5942. We look foward to speaking with you.