Social Security Announces 38 Additional Compassionate Allowance Conditions
Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue announced this morning the expansion of Social Security's "Compassionate Allowances" program, which provides expedited review of disability applications from people with severely disabling conditions. The announcement was made in a press release. Originally, a press conference had been scheduled for today, and NORD President and CEO Peter L. Saltonstall was to have joined Mr. Astrue at the podium. However, the press conference was canceled because of the recent snowstorms in Washington DC. The Compassionate Allowances program, launched under Mr. Astrue's leadership in 2008, began with a list of 50 diseases, including 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers. This is the first expansion of the disease list. The Social Security Administration (SSA) selected the 38 diseases from ones recommended during public hearings and a process of information-gathering. NORD's Medical Advisory Committee provided input to SSA during this process, as did medical experts from the National Institutes of Health and other organizations. Mr. Astrue has noted that he and his staff intend to continue to identify additional conditions that should be added to the Compassionate Allowances list. The following is the press release sent out by SSA just minutes ago: Social Security Adds 38 New
Expansion Will Speed
Benefits to Thousands of
Americans with Disabilities
Michael J. Astrue,
Commissioner of Social
Security, today announced
that the agency is adding 38
more conditions to its list
of Compassionate Allowances.
This is the first expansion
since the original list of
50 conditions - 25 rare
diseases and 25 cancers -
was announced in October
2008. The new conditions
range from adult brain
disorders to rare diseases
that primarily affect
children. The complete list
of the new Compassionate
Allowance conditions is
attached.
“The addition of these new
conditions expands the scope
of Compassionate Allowances
to a broader subgroup of
conditions like early-onset
Alzheimer’s disease,”
Commissioner Astrue said.
“The expansion we are
announcing today means tens
of thousands of Americans
with devastating
disabilities will now get
approved for benefits in a
matter of days rather than
months and years.”
Compassionate Allowances are
a way of quickly identifying
diseases and other medical
conditions that clearly
qualify for Social Security
and Supplemental Security
Income disability benefits.
It allows the agency to
electronically target and
make speedy decisions for
the most obviously disabled
individuals. In developing
the expanded list of
conditions, Social Security
held public hearings and
worked closely with the
National Institutes of
Health, the Alzheimer’s
Association, the National
Organization for Rare
Disorders, and other groups.
"The diagnosis of
Alzheimer's indicates
significant cognitive
impairment that interferes
with daily living activities,
including the ability to
work," said Harry Johns,
President and CEO of the
Alzheimer's Association. "Now,
individuals who are dealing
with the enormous challenges
of Alzheimer's won't also
have to endure the financial
and emotional toll of a long
disability decision process."
“This truly innovative
program will provide
invaluable assistance and
support to patients and
families coping with
severely disabling rare
diseases,” said Peter L.
Saltonstall, President and
CEO of the National
Organization for Rare
Disorders (NORD). “On
behalf of those patients and
families, I want to thank
Commissioner Astrue and his
enthusiastic team for
creating and now expanding a
program that will have a
direct impact on the quality
of life of thousands of
individuals."
“The initiative not only
assists those whose
applications are quickly
processed, but also assists
those whose applications
need more time and attention
from SSA adjudicators,” said
Marty Ford, Co-Chair, Social
Security Task Force,
Consortium for Citizens with
Disabilities. “We are
pleased to see today's
expansion and look forward
to working with Commissioner
Astrue on further expansion
of this decision-making tool
and other ways to expedite
determinations and decisions
for disability claims.”
“We will continue to hold
hearings and look for other
diseases and conditions that
can be added to our list of
Compassionate Allowances,"
Commissioner Astrue said.
“There can be no higher
priority than getting
disability benefits quickly
to those Americans with
these severe and life-threatening
conditions.”
Social Security will begin
electronically targeting
these 38 new conditions
March 1.
For more information about
the agency’s Compassionate
Allowances initiative, go to
www.socialsecurity.gov/ ###
New Compassionate
Allowance Conditions
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