Compassionate Allowances Program Provides Expedited Disability Review for Patients with Severely Disabling Diseases
Some individuals with X and Y chromosome variations qualify for Social Security benefits for disability. It’s no surprise that the Compassionate Allowances Program does not list X and Y chromosome variations as qualifying conditions. This will not apply to many, but for those who have other severely disabling conditions in addition to their X and Y chromosome variation, you may find help here.
From NORD’s press release:
Peter L. Saltonstall, president and CEO of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), today praised Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue and his staff for proactively establishing and expanding a program that “demonstrates true compassion for Americans with seriously disabling rare diseases.”
Saltonstall made his remarks at a Capitol Hill event at which Commissioner Astrue announced the addition of 35 diagnoses, several of which are rare, to the Compassionate Allowances Program. This is a program established by the Commissioner and his staff to quickly identify diseases that meet Social Security disability standards so that patients with devastating diseases may receive their benefit decision within days rather than months or years.
The program is especially important for people with rare diseases that are not well known or widely understood, Saltonstall said.
“As the president of NORD, I represent the 30 million Americans with rare diseases, as well as their families and caregivers,” he noted. “Rare diseases tend to be severe and chronic, and many people affected by these diseases struggle with overwhelming medical and financial challenges.”
…The program doesn’t guarantee approval for disability benefits but rather an expedited review so that individuals with diagnoses on the list receive fast-track review and are notified of the final decision within days rather than months or years.
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