To Schedule an Appointment, Call Us Toll Free at 1.877.873.8208 or Email Us for a Prompt Response.
As with many other government programs, applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is complex, confusing, and above all else, time consuming. It is not uncommon for an application to take years to be approved, even when all documentation is included. With so many components and such obscure documentation needs, it can be difficult to obtain SSDI benefits at the time when you need them most. This is why the Social Security Administration (SSA) has compiled a list of conditions and disabilities that qualify for expedited processing, called the Social Security Compassionate Allowance.
Many people ask if colon cancer is listed as Compassionate Allowance. We can answer that question for you and assist you in filing the claim.
The SSA’s list of Compassionate Allowance falls under SSDI and SSI, so it is crucial that you first understand if, or how, you qualify for Social Security benefits before trying to figure out Compassionate Allowance. At its core, the SSDI program exists to financially assist individuals with disabilities through financial benefits. Individuals who have become disabled and whose condition is expected to last for at least one year, or end in death, can apply for SSDI benefits. Supplemental Security Income (SSI), meanwhile, is not based on your prior work experience, and is targeted at older adults or those with certain disabilities.
To receive benefits from SSDI, you must meet various criteria such as their strict definition of disability, a minimum work history, as well as extensive documentation. This process does require a significant time commitment and continuous effort. However, the help of an SSDI lawyer can guide you through the complex and demanding process.
Due to the time-consuming nature of the application process, the SSA has created a list of disabilities that fall under the Compassionate Allowance List (CAL). This list is used to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that meet the SSA’s standards for disability benefits, thus speeding up the timeline for applicants to receive payments. The conditions included on the CAL include cancers, adult brain disorders, and a few rare disorders that affect children.
However, this short list is nowhere near comprehensive, as there are over 200 conditions on the CAL. For more information or to see if you may qualify, you can access the full list here. It should be noted that while your condition may appear on the CAL, you do not immediately qualify for Compassionate Allowance, as you must also meet the specified stage of the condition, as well as have the official diagnosis.
One such example of a cancer that meets Compassionate Allowance, but only at a certain stage, is Large Intestine Cancer, also known as colon cancer. While colon cancer appears on the CAL, it comes with the qualifier that the cancer must be inoperable, unresectable, or with distant metastasis. This emphasizes just how important it is to check which stage your condition needs to be to qualify for CAL. It is important that you have all proper documentation ready if you do meet the SSA’s designated criteria.
If your medical evidence meets the SSA’s criteria for your given disability, and your records have been sent, you should receive an expedited decision. However, just as with any other SSDI or SSI application, several factors such as the number of other applications, the speed of submitted medical evidence, and further required examinations can delay even your Compassionate Allowance decision.
It is best to enlist the assistance of a qualified Social Security Benefits attorney who understands how to get your application approved as quickly as possible. Contact Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law today and schedule a free consultation.
To Schedule an Appointment, Call Us Toll Free at 1.877.873.8208 or Email Us for a Prompt Response.
Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law
