What is the Compassionate Allowances program?

The Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program exists because some conditions are so severe that SSA can identify disability with minimal medical evidence. If your diagnosis appears on the CAL list, your claim should be flagged for fast-track processing and decided in weeks rather than the typical months or years.

How CAL is triggered: When you complete your application, SSA’s automated systems scan for CAL conditions based on your diagnosis codes and descriptions. You do not need to use the phrase ‘Compassionate Allowance’ in your application. However, making sure your medical records contain the precise diagnostic terminology increases the chance the system flags your case correctly.

Examples of CAL conditions (250+ total):

• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) — Blue Book Listing 11.10
• Pancreatic cancer — Blue Book Listing 13.17
• Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease — Blue Book Listing 12.02
• Glioblastoma multiforme — Blue Book Listing 13.13
• Acute leukemia — Blue Book Listing 13.06

CAL approval does not mean the waiting period or retroactive benefit rules are waived. The 5-month SSDI waiting period still applies unless you qualify for a waiver (e.g., certain ALS claimants are exempt from the waiting period under the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act).

If your condition qualifies for CAL and SSA has not fast-tracked your claim, call us immediately. Delays in CAL cases can mean lost months of benefits for seriously ill claimants.