Houston Social Security
Disability Attorney

Photo of David Dopkin
Photo of David Dopkin

Understanding compassionate allowances and disability decisions

On Behalf of | Feb 14, 2019 | Social Security Disability

Many people in Houston regard the process of applying for and obtaining Social Security disability benefits laborious and lengthy. While these feelings have some basis in fact, these same people are often unaware of the special Social Security program know by acronym “CAL.” The letters stand for “Compassionate Allowance,” which is a program that is intended to provide specialized handling for people whose medical condition is especially grave.

The Social Security Administration has identified a number of diseases with effects that largely mimic diseases that are commonly recognized as causing the degree of disability that is required to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. These illnesses comprise certain cancers, adult brain disorders and several disorders that mainly affect children. If an applicant for SSD benefits has a disease that is already on the SSA’s list of CAL diseases, the application will receive expedited processing, and a quick decision will be made on whether the illness qualifies the victim for SSD benefits.

Many persons have diseases that are extremely disabling but which are not on the CAL list. Anyone with such a disease can apply to the SSA for recognition of their condition as a CAL condition. The applicant should provide their contact information, the name of the medical condition or disease, any alternate names of the disease, a description of symptoms or conditions, evidence of the progression of the condition and the results of any medical treatment of the condition.

People with CAL conditions usually want the expedited handling that is given to recognized CAL conditions. An attorney with experienced in handling SSD claims may be able to assist by assembling medical and employment evidence and ensuring that the materials are presented in the most persuasive manner.