SSA Expands Fast-Track Disability List With 14 Rare Conditions

The SSA adds 14 rare health conditions to its Compassionate Allowances list, bringing the total to 314 and speeding disability approvals. CAL, launched in 2008, has approved over 1.2 million people with severe disabilities. The new conditions include various syndromes and cancers. Eligibility for SSDI/SSI remains based on citizenship/alien status, age 65 or disability/blindness, and limited income/resources. The Health IT program can access medical records to speed decisions, and CAL criteria apply the same to SSDI and SSI.