Compassionate Allowances - Part 2 of Fast Track Process

The second initiative under Social Security's "fast-track"program is Compassionate Allowances (CAL). CAL are a way of quickly identifying diseases and other medical conditions that invariably qualify under Social Security's Listing of Impairments based on minimal, but sufficient, objective medical information.

Like Quick Disability Determinations (QDD), CAL cases receive expedited processing within the context of the existing disability determination process.

CAL cases are similar to Terminal Illness (TERI) claims, however, not all CAL cases involve terminal illness. For example, a person with a spinal cord injury could qualify for a CAL - even if he or she is expected to live for many years.

The initial list of 50 Compassionate Allowance conditions was developed as a result of information received at public outreach hearings, public comment on an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, comments received from the Social Security and Disability Determination Service communities, and the counsel of medical and scientific experts. Also, Social Security considered which conditions are most likely to meet their current definition of disability.