1. What Is Expedited Disability Processing

Expedited disability processing refers to SSA’s initiatives to fast-track disability applications for claimants with severe medical conditions, terminal illnesses, or critical financial need. It ensures that eligible applicants receive benefits as quickly as possible without waiting through the standard months-long evaluation process.

2. Programs That Offer Expedited Processing

Several SSA programs provide faster decisions for qualified applicants:

a. Compassionate Allowances (CAL) Program

The Compassionate Allowances program quickly identifies diseases and medical conditions that clearly meet SSA’s disability standards. The list includes over 250 conditions, such as:

• Certain aggressive cancers (e.g., pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma multiforme)
• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease
• Rare genetic disorders

If your condition is listed under CAL, your application is flagged for priority processing, often resulting in a decision within weeks instead of months.

b. Terminal Illness (TERI) Cases

If your medical condition is terminal or expected to result in death, your claim qualifies as a TERI case. SSA employees are trained to identify:

• Terminal cancer
• Conditions in hospice care
• End-stage heart, lung, or liver failure
• Comatose state with poor prognosis
• Conditions with an expected life expectancy of six months or less

TERI cases are processed as a top priority, and decisions can be made in days to weeks.

c. Quick Disability Determinations (QDD)

The QDD program uses predictive computer models to identify claims that are highly likely to be approved based on:

• Severity of medical conditions
• Strength of medical evidence submitted

QDD cases are routed to specialized examiners for faster decisions, often within 20 days if all required medical evidence is available.

d. Dire Need Situations

If you are in dire financial need, such as:

• Homelessness or imminent eviction/foreclosure
• Lack of food
• Lack of necessary medical care or medication

You may request expedited processing by explaining your situation in your application or contacting your local SSA office to flag your case as dire need. While this does not guarantee faster approval, SSA prioritizes these claims when possible.

3. How to Request Expedited Processing

To seek expedited disability processing in Massachusetts:

• Clearly indicate your medical condition on your application, using precise diagnoses that match SSA terminology.
• Provide comprehensive medical evidence, including specialist evaluations, hospital records, and diagnostic imaging, to support the severity of your condition.
• If you believe your condition qualifies for CAL or TERI, inform SSA directly when filing your claim or during follow-up.
• If experiencing dire need, submit a Dire Need Statement explaining your circumstances, including eviction notices, utility shut-off warnings, or medical bills demonstrating urgent hardship.

4. How Long Does Expedited Processing Take

Expedited cases are processed significantly faster than standard claims:

• Compassionate Allowances or TERI cases: Often decided in days to a few weeks
• Quick Disability Determinations: Average processing within 20-30 days, depending on record availability
• Dire need expedited requests: Timeline varies but are prioritized over routine claims

However, delays can occur if medical evidence is incomplete or SSA needs additional documentation from providers.

5. Massachusetts DDS and Expedited Processing

In Massachusetts, disability claims are evaluated by Disability Determination Services (DDS) under the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. DDS follows SSA guidelines for expedited programs and flags CAL, TERI, or QDD cases immediately upon identification to ensure fast review and decisions.

6. Preparing for an Expedited Claim

To improve your chances of expedited approval:

• Submit a complete application, including all treatment history, hospitalizations, specialist reports, and medication lists.
• Request that your doctors provide detailed statements explaining your diagnosis, symptoms, treatment outcomes, and limitations on daily activities or work ability.
• Follow up with SSA to confirm your claim has been flagged for the appropriate expedited program.