Social Security changes: See the full list of 14 rare conditions just added to the fast track for disability benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is allowing more people to fast track their access to disability benefits. 

On Tuesday, the agency added 14 more medical conditions to its Compassionate Allowances list (CAL). The newest conditions on the list include genetic disorders, cancer, and more. 

What are compassionate allowances?

As noted by the National Council on Aging, the SSA first created the Compassionate Allowances program in 2008.

According to Social Security, the allowances “are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits.”

This includes applications for Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. 

The Social Security Administration looks at a person’s medical records if they apply for any of these disability benefits. In many of the claims, the agency can use technology to see if the applicant has any of the Compassionate Allowance conditions.  

With the new additions, the list now includes 314 conditions, such as ALS/parkinsonism dementia complex, child lymphoma, and ovarian cancer. 

“Social Security is strengthening our disability programs and making the disability determination process better, faster, and higher-quality to serve the American public,” Social Security Administration commissioner Frank J. Bisignano said in the announcement. “The Compassionate Allowances initiative cuts through red tape and allows us to deliver support to individuals who experience life-changing diagnoses and need help fast.”

Which medical conditions were added?

The 14 new conditions added to Social Security’s Compassionate Allowances list are: 

• Adenylosuccinate Lyase Deficiency – Neonatal Form and Type 1
• Aicardi Syndrome
• Baraitser-Winter Syndrome
• Beare-Stevenson Cutis Gyrata Syndrome
• Bohring-Opitz Syndrome
• CASK-Related Gene Disorders
• Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma
• Lafora Disease
• Malignant Migrating Partial Seizures of Infancy (MMPSI)
• OPHN1 Syndrome
• Primary Cardiac Sarcoma
• Primary Intracranial Malignant Melanoma
• Uveal Melanoma – with Metastases
• Warburg Micro Syndrome

The full list of all 314 conditions, including the new ones marked in red, is available on the Social Security website.