The Social Security Administration (SSA) has updated its Compassionate Allowances (CAL) list by adding 13 more medical conditions that now qualify for expedited disability benefits processing. This brings the total number of CAL conditions to 300.
The Compassionate Allowances program identifies people whose medical conditions are so severe that they clearly meet the SSA’s definition of disability. For these cases, the SSA fast-tracks the application process—often approving benefits in just weeks instead of months or years.
Since the CAL program began in 2008, more than 1.1 million people have been approved for disability benefits through this streamlined process.
New Conditions Added in August 2025
As of August 11, 2025, the SSA has added the following conditions to the CAL list:
- Au-Kline Syndrome
- Bilateral Anophthalmia
- Carey-Fineman-Ziter Syndrome
- Harlequin Ichthyosis – Child
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
- LMNA-related Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
- Progressive Muscular Atrophy
- Pulmonary Amyloidosis – AL Type
- Rasmussen Encephalitis
- Thymic Carcinoma
- Turnpenny-Fry Syndrome
- WHO Grade III Meningiomas
- Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim Syndrome
How the Compassionate Allowances Program Works
The SSA uses advanced technology and partnerships with medical experts to identify CAL conditions. While not every condition can be confirmed automatically, the SSA’s system reviews medical records electronically to make faster and more accurate decisions.
If you have a condition on the CAL list, your disability claim may be eligible for expedited review. However, you still need to provide:
- A confirmed medical diagnosis from your healthcare provider
- Supporting medical records (e.g., test results, imaging, biopsy reports)
- Documentation of how your condition impacts your ability to work
Why This Update Matters
For individuals facing life-altering illnesses, waiting months for a decision can create unnecessary stress and financial hardship. The addition of these 13 conditions to the Compassionate Allowances list means that more people will be able to:
- Receive benefits faster
- Avoid long delays in the claims process
- Focus on treatment and quality of life rather than paperwork
Getting Help With a CAL Disability Claim
Even though CAL claims are fast-tracked, the SSA still requires complete and accurate medical documentation. A mistake or missing record can delay your approval. Working with an experienced Social Security disability attorney can help ensure your application is correctly filed and processed as quickly as possible.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with one of these newly added conditions—or any other condition already on the SSA Compassionate Allowances list—you may qualify for expedited disability benefits.
For the complete list of qualifying conditions, visit the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances page.
