The Social Security Administration (SSA) has added prostate cancer to the list of medical conditions allowed under its Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program, which allows for the expedited process of disability benefit decisions.
In 2014, prostate cancer was among 25 conditions added to the CAL program, which also included 12 types of cancers, as well as other disorders that affect the digestive, neurological and immune systems.
Through CAL, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) applications take only a few days to process rather than the months-long process that currently exists for other disabilities. According to the SSA, in April, roughly 200,000 people with severe disabilities had been approved for benefits through the CAL process.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted that other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer in men.
How Can I Apply For Disability If I Have Prostate Cancer?
Each time the SSA expands eligibility for CAL, the country benefits – it speeds up the process for both applicants with CAL-eligible conditions and those without, since there are fewer people in the waiting pool; thus it also reduces SSA costs, as CAL claims involve fewer people and resources to process.
Our Tulsa Social Security Disability lawyer could help applicants maximize their chances of qualifying under compassionate allowances. You may also reach us by phone at (918) 265-1404.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security Disability lawyers
Troutman Touts: About 233,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.
Source: http://blog.chron.com/advocate/2014/04/prostate-cancer-added-to-disability-benefits-fast-track-list/
