What are ‘Compassionate Allowances’?

If you have a disabling condition, you already know that it can affect just about every aspect of your life. You can become more dependent on your loved ones; you might require ongoing care and regular hospital visits; you can be dealing with incredible amounts of stress, sadness and anxiety. Further, you may be struggling financially due to huge medical costs and an inability to work.

When your condition is considered severe and obviously disabling, getting financial help can be a top priority. It can help you get the medical care you need, ease your stress and alleviate the pressures your loved ones are experiencing. Under these circumstances, you may qualify for expedited disability benefits through Compassionate Allowances.

As noted by the Social Security Administration, Compassionate Allowances, or CAL, are available to people with specific illness or injuries so severe that they regularly qualify a person for disability benefits. The list of CAL conditions is somewhat limited, but it includes many different types of cancer, genetic syndromes and various disorders.

If you have a CAL condition, your application for Social Security Disability benefits will be fast-tracked and pushed through the process much more quickly than other applications. Instead of waiting months or years to receive benefits, your claim can be processed in a matter of weeks.

However, while the decision-making is left up to the SSA, it is important to note that you can help or hinder your case with how you prepare your disability benefits application. For the best chance of a successful, expedited outcome, you will want to make sure you application is complete, thorough and accurate. Any hiccups or missing information can lead to delays.

Considering how much you already have to deal with on a regular basis, this can seem like an overwhelming process when you are already battling a serious condition. Thankfully, you do not have to navigate the complex system or put your application together by yourself. You can consult an attorney who will guide you through the process and help manage your case so you can stay focused on your health and recovery.