by The Social Security Administration announced Monday that it has added 13 conditions to its Compassionate Allowances (CAL) list. The added conditions aim to accelerate disability determinations for people with serious medical conditions, the agency said in a press release.
Why the Change Matters
The CAL initiative was designed to fast-track claims for applicants whose diagnoses clearly met Social Security’s statutory standard for disability. More than 1.1 million applicants have been approved through the accelerated pathway since CAL began, according to the SSA.
Details of the Expansion
The update brings the total number of conditions on the CAL list to 300. This, the SSA said, will help the agency reach decisions more quickly for applicants with specific, severe diseases and conditions.
The 13 conditions added include:
- Au-Kline Syndrome
- Bilateral Anophthalmia
- Carey-Fineman-Ziter Syndrome
- Harlequin Ichthyosis – Child
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
- LMNA-related Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
- Progressive Muscular Atrophy
- Pulmonary Amyloidosis – AL Type
- Rasmussen Encephalitis
- Thymic Carcinoma
- Turnpenny-Fry Syndrome
- WHO Grade III Meningiomas
- Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim Syndrome
How the Process Works
According to the SSA, when applicants submit medical evidence indicating a CAL condition, the agency can identify and prioritize those claims using advanced tools. The CAL list was first introduced to reduce waiting times for applicants with clearly disabling conditions, and the SSA says the program remains policy-compliant while speeding determinations for eligible claimants.
What Applicants Should Do
The SSA encourages applicants to apply online at SSA.gov if they believe they have a CAL condition.
“Long term, this could mean fewer delays and less financial strain for those facing serious medical conditions, but it also puts pressure on Social Security to keep up with technology and ensure the system remains fair and accurate,” Thompson said.
