Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionQualifying ConditionsApplying for CALFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Qualifying Conditions
Applying for CAL
Frequently Asked Questions
Social Security disability benefits, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are programs that provide financial assistance to people who meet the Social Security’s statutory standard for disability. The application process can take months or even over a year to complete, which can be problematic for those who are dealing with pain, discomfort, and/or disability, along with a loss of income from an inability to work as usual.
Read on to learn more about CAL, who qualifies for it, and how to apply.
Pornpak Khunatorn / Getty Images
What Are Compassionate Allowances?
The CAL program is meant to allow for faster processing ofSSDIand SSI benefits for people with specified conditions and disabilities. Those who qualify for CAL automatically meet Social Security’s statutory standard of disability requirement for SSDI and/or SSI.
What Are the Social Security Disability Benefits Programs?
There are two programs available to provide payments to people who become disabled (including many medical conditions). It’s possible to qualify for one or both, depending on which criteria is met.
Social Security Disability Insurance
The SSDI program pays benefits for people who are disabled and have paid Social Security taxes over the years via their work or self-employment. Benefits begin six months or later after the last day of work. The amount paid depends on the person’s work history and how much they have paid into Social Security. Financial need is not a consideration.
To qualify, the person must:
Supplemental Security Income
SSI is based on income and need. To qualify, the person must:
Legislators: The Country’s Biggest Welfare Program Is Due for an Upgrade
Conditions That Qualify for CAL
Conditions on the CAL approved list include:
The severity of the condition may also be taken into account.
Afull list of conditionscan be found on the Social Security website.
More conditions are occasionally added to the list, and there is a place on the Social Security website tosuggest conditions to be considered for inclusion.
Where to Find Help ApplyingThe application process for Social Security benefits and CAL can be daunting to do on your own. If you need help applying, there are associations and companies available, such as:Citizens DisabilityNational Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (OSSCR)The Advocator GroupGAR Disability AdvocatesState directories, such as theMinnesota Department of Human ServicesPlease note: These are examples only. Verywell Health does not endorse the companies on this list. Make sure to do due diligence before acquiring services from these or any companies or associations.
Where to Find Help Applying
The application process for Social Security benefits and CAL can be daunting to do on your own. If you need help applying, there are associations and companies available, such as:Citizens DisabilityNational Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (OSSCR)The Advocator GroupGAR Disability AdvocatesState directories, such as theMinnesota Department of Human ServicesPlease note: These are examples only. Verywell Health does not endorse the companies on this list. Make sure to do due diligence before acquiring services from these or any companies or associations.
The application process for Social Security benefits and CAL can be daunting to do on your own. If you need help applying, there are associations and companies available, such as:
Please note: These are examples only. Verywell Health does not endorse the companies on this list. Make sure to do due diligence before acquiring services from these or any companies or associations.
How to Apply for the Compassionate Allowance Program
The Social Security website gives the following options for applying for disability benefits:
In order for your application to be flagged, you must have listed one of the CAL conditions and/or informed the SSA of your condition. To be approved, the appropriate medical documentation to prove your condition must be provided.
To try to minimize delays, provide complete information and documentation as early as possible.
If you have a qualifying condition but are not approved quickly (within a week to a few months), check in with the SSA to make sure it is being expedited.
How Long Does It Take for Approval and Payment?Once the application has been flagged as a case for CAL, it can take from a week to a few months for the application to be approved.
How Long Does It Take for Approval and Payment?
Once the application has been flagged as a case for CAL, it can take from a week to a few months for the application to be approved.
Summary
The Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program is a practice that was put in place to shorten the wait time forSocial Security disability benefitsfrom application to approval for people who have certain conditions or disabilities.
When one of the specific conditions is identified on an application, the application is flagged as a case for CAL, and the process for that application is expedited.
Once flagged, it typically takes from a week to a few months for the application to be approved.
A Word From Verywell
If you are considering applying for one of the Social Security disability benefits, check the list of CAL-approved conditions. If you have a condition ordisabilitythat is on the list, make sure you put it in your application so it can be flagged for expedition and get you your benefits sooner.
Frequently Asked QuestionsTwo types of Social Security disability benefits are:Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Payments made to qualifying disabled people based on employment history and amount paid into Social Security.Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Payments based on financial need made to qualifying people who are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled.Without the Compassionate Allowances program, the initial application for SSDI and/or SSI can take up to a year for approval (most initial applications are decided upon within three to six months, but about 70% are denied). If denied, there is an appeal process.With the Compassionate Allowances program, qualified applicants can be approved in as little as a week to a few months.There isn’t a separate application process for CAL. To apply, youfill out the same applicationsas those who don’t meet the requirements for CAL, but make sure to put your CAL-approved condition in the application. From there, it will be flagged as a case for CAL. If you haven’t heard back from them within a few months, contact the Social Security Administration to make sure it is being expedited.
Two types of Social Security disability benefits are:Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Payments made to qualifying disabled people based on employment history and amount paid into Social Security.Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Payments based on financial need made to qualifying people who are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled.
Two types of Social Security disability benefits are:
Without the Compassionate Allowances program, the initial application for SSDI and/or SSI can take up to a year for approval (most initial applications are decided upon within three to six months, but about 70% are denied). If denied, there is an appeal process.With the Compassionate Allowances program, qualified applicants can be approved in as little as a week to a few months.
Without the Compassionate Allowances program, the initial application for SSDI and/or SSI can take up to a year for approval (most initial applications are decided upon within three to six months, but about 70% are denied). If denied, there is an appeal process.
With the Compassionate Allowances program, qualified applicants can be approved in as little as a week to a few months.
There isn’t a separate application process for CAL. To apply, youfill out the same applicationsas those who don’t meet the requirements for CAL, but make sure to put your CAL-approved condition in the application. From there, it will be flagged as a case for CAL. If you haven’t heard back from them within a few months, contact the Social Security Administration to make sure it is being expedited.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Citizens Disability.What is the SSDI “compassionate allowance?”National Organization for Rare Disorders.Join NORD & SSA in forum on compassionate allowances & rare diseases.Social Security Administration.Compassionate allowances.Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.Tip sheet: social security and other disability benefits.American Cancer Society.Social security disability insurance for people with cancer.Social Security Administration.Disability benefits | How you apply.Alzheimer’s Association.Social security disability.Citizens Disability.The initial application for SSDI & SSI benefits.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Citizens Disability.What is the SSDI “compassionate allowance?”National Organization for Rare Disorders.Join NORD & SSA in forum on compassionate allowances & rare diseases.Social Security Administration.Compassionate allowances.Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.Tip sheet: social security and other disability benefits.American Cancer Society.Social security disability insurance for people with cancer.Social Security Administration.Disability benefits | How you apply.Alzheimer’s Association.Social security disability.Citizens Disability.The initial application for SSDI & SSI benefits.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Citizens Disability.What is the SSDI “compassionate allowance?”National Organization for Rare Disorders.Join NORD & SSA in forum on compassionate allowances & rare diseases.Social Security Administration.Compassionate allowances.Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.Tip sheet: social security and other disability benefits.American Cancer Society.Social security disability insurance for people with cancer.Social Security Administration.Disability benefits | How you apply.Alzheimer’s Association.Social security disability.Citizens Disability.The initial application for SSDI & SSI benefits.
Citizens Disability.What is the SSDI “compassionate allowance?”
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Join NORD & SSA in forum on compassionate allowances & rare diseases.
Social Security Administration.Compassionate allowances.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.Tip sheet: social security and other disability benefits.
American Cancer Society.Social security disability insurance for people with cancer.
Social Security Administration.Disability benefits | How you apply.
Alzheimer’s Association.Social security disability.
Citizens Disability.The initial application for SSDI & SSI benefits.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
