What is a disability compassionate allowance?

Certain very serious medical conditions by definition meet Social Security’s definition of disability. If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with any of the approximately 200 most serious conditions, such as certain types of incurable cancer, you may obtain a compassionate allowance and have your disability claim application expedited. It may be processed in a few weeks, so disability payments can start. The 200 conditions that qualify for compassionate allowances include acute leukemia, inoperable bladder cancer, inoperable breast cancer, ALS/Parkinsonian Dementia Complex, esophageal cancer and liver cancer.