Millions of Americans living with severe disabilities could now get Social Security benefits faster, thanks to the addition of 13 new medical conditions to the agency’s Compassionate Allowances (CAL) list.
The CAL program is designed to accelerate disability application decisions for individuals with the most serious and life-threatening conditions — cases that clearly meet the agency’s definition of disability. With these latest additions, the list now includes 300 qualifying conditions.
Social Security: Newly Added Conditions in 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) says these 13 conditions have been added:
- 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
Faster Disability Approvals for Severe Cases
Since its launch, the Compassionate Allowances initiative has helped more than 1.1 million people get benefits through this expedited process. In many cases, applicants can receive a decision in weeks instead of months.
“We are constantly looking for ways to improve our disability programs and serve the public more effectively,” said SSA Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano. “By adding these conditions, we are helping more people with devastating diagnoses quickly receive the support they need.”
How the Social Security Fast-Track Process Works
When someone applies for disability benefits, the SSA gathers medical records to make a determination. The agency’s Health IT program allows them to securely receive these records electronically — speeding up the process while ensuring accuracy.
Advanced technology also helps flag potential CAL conditions so adjudicators can approve qualifying cases without unnecessary delays.
Where to Learn More
A full list of all 300 Compassionate Allowances conditions is available at ssa.gov/compassionateallowances.
Details on the Health IT program can be found at ssa.gov/hit.
Stay informed and plan ahead. Social Security remains a lifeline for over 71 million Americans — knowing your payment dates and any upcoming changes is key to staying financially secure. If you’re unsure about your benefits or need personalized guidance, visit SSA.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.
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