If you’ve applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you know the wait can be brutal. Most applicants wait months or even years for a decision. But what if you could have your case approved in just two to three weeks?
That’s the promise of the Compassionate Allowance (CAL) program, and if you have a severe disability or condition, you might qualify without even realizing it.
What Is Compassionate Allowance?
Compassionate Allowance is a Social Security initiative that fast-tracks SSDI approvals for individuals with the most serious medical conditions. Instead of the typical wait time of months or years, applicants with qualifying conditions can receive approval in as little as two to three weeks.
The program recognizes that some people are so severely disabled that there’s no question they meet Social Security’s strict disability standard. For these individuals, waiting months for a decision is simply cruel. The Compassionate Allowance program bypasses the standard review process and gets benefits to people who need them immediately.
Who Qualifies?
Social Security has identified over 200 medical conditions that qualify for Compassionate Allowance. These conditions fall into several categories and include some you might expect and others you might not.
Cancer patients with certain diagnoses qualify. Organ transplant recipients qualify. Individuals with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, receive automatic approval. Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease qualifies. HIV/AIDS qualifies. Severe burns qualify. End-stage renal disease qualifies.
But here’s what many veterans don’t know: certain service-connected disabilities also qualify, especially severe mental health conditions. If you have severe PTSD with psychotic features, severe depression with suicidal ideation, or severe anxiety disorder, you may qualify for Compassionate Allowance. Combat-related traumatic brain injury, severe dementia, and severe bipolar disorder can qualify as well.
The key is that your condition must be documented, severe, and clearly meet Social Security’s definition of disability. You can find the complete list of qualifying conditions on Social Security’s website.
How to Request Compassionate Allowance
Simply filing for SSDI doesn’t automatically trigger Compassionate Allowance review. You need to specifically request it. When you apply or appeal, clearly state that you believe you qualify for Compassionate Allowance. Reference the specific condition on the SSA’s list that applies to you.
Provide the strongest medical evidence possible. Submit recent medical records, diagnostic test results, treatment history, and specialist evaluations. The more comprehensive your medical documentation, the faster SSA can verify your condition meets the criteria.
Include VA medical records if you’re a veteran. A service-connected disability combined with comprehensive medical evidence significantly strengthens your Compassionate Allowance request.
Why This Matters for Veterans
Many disabled veterans struggle for months after service, unsure if they can access civilian disability benefits while managing VA claims. Compassionate Allowance removes that waiting period for those who qualify.
If you have a severe service-connected condition, you may not need to wait years for SSDI approval. You could have benefits approved in weeks, giving you the financial stability to focus on recovery and medical treatment.
Don't Miss This Opportunity
The challenge is that many people don’t realize they qualify for Compassionate Allowance, or they don’t present their case in the way Social Security needs to see it. A single application mistake or missing medical document can delay your approval significantly.
At McKown and Myers, we help Indiana veterans and disabled individuals navigate SSDI and explore fast-track approval options like Compassionate Allowance. If you have a severe medical condition and want to know if you qualify for expedited approval, call 765-668-7531 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation. You deserve benefits quickly. Let us help you get them.