SSA Holds Second Disability Hearing on Compassionate Allowances - Agreement wit

[Guest guest]

Social Security Holds Second Disability Hearing on Compassionate

Allowances - Agreement with National Institutes of Health Announced

http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/compassionate-allowances-0408-pr.htm

The Social Security Administration held its second public hearing on

compassionate allowances - a way to expedite the processing of

disability claims for applicants whose medical conditions are so

severe that their conditions obviously meet Social Security's

standards. At the hearing, J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social

Security, announced that the agency had entered into a first-of-its-

kind agreement with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH

will provide technical assistance to Social Security to help ensure

that elements of the compassionate allowance initiative are based on

sound, up-to-date medical science.

" The agreement with NIH is very exciting news, " said Commissioner

Astrue. " It represents an unprecedented level of cooperation between

two of the nation's largest institutions serving people with

disabilities. "

The hearing, held today in Boston, featured some of the nation's

leading oncology experts presenting testimony and sharing their views

about the best ways to determine compassionate allowances for

children and adults with cancers. Once implemented, Social Security

can quickly target the most obviously disabled individuals for

allowances based on confirmation of the diagnosis alone; for example,

acute leukemia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and pancreatic

cancer. The agency plans to begin piloting compassionate allowances

later this year and plans to hold two more public hearings on the

initiative as well.

" It is a moral imperative to reduce the disability backlogs, which

have caused an incredible hardship for applicants and their

families, " Commissioner Astrue said. " With the help of NIH, we are

starting to bring our disability standards more in line with current

medical and scientific standards. As a result, the most severe cases

will be allowed much quicker and earlier in the process. "

To learn more go to www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances

for testimony from many of the cancer experts and to view a webcast

of the hearing.