Effective Dates: 7/17/2026 - Present

Identification Number:
DI 11005 TN 138
Intended Audience:See Transmittal Sheet
Originating Office:LP DP
Title:Disability Interviews
Type:POMS Full Transmittals
Program:All Programs
Link To Reference:
 

PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANUAL SYSTEM
Part DI – Disability Insurance
Chapter 110 – Initial Claims Processing
Subchapter 05 – Disability Interviews
Transmittal No. 138, 07/17/2026

Audience

PSC: CA, CS, DE, DEC, DTE, ICDS, IES, ISRA, RECONR, SCPS, TSA, TST;
OCO-OEIO: BET, CR, CTE, ERE, FCR, FDE, FDEC, RECONE, RECONR, RECOVR;
FO/WSU/TSC: CS, CS TII, CS TXVI, CSR, CTE, DRT, FR, OA, OS, RR, TA, TSC-CSR;
OCO-ODO: BET, BTE, CR, CST, CTE, CTE TE, DE, DEC, DS, PAS, PETE, PETL, RCOVTA, RECONE, RECOVR;
ODD-DDS: REF;

Originating Component

DP

Effective Date

Upon Receipt

Background

Disability Policy is updating the Program Operation Manual System (POMS) to update the Field Office instructions for Compassionate Allowances (CAL). We updated terminology, revised titles, and removed information explaining the Quick Disability Determination (QDD) comparison information, and focused the sub-chapter on CAL. We also incorporated guidance from EM-26011 Updated Instructions and Reminders for Expedited Development and Processing of Priority Cases - Instructions Will Follow Shortly.

Summary of Changes

DI 11005.604 Processing Compassionate Allowances (CAL) in the Field Office (FO)

We revised titles, and reorganized information. We reworded content for clarity, and removed information about QDD and focused the chapter on CAL identification and processing. We also provide new guidance from EM-26011 for the FO to complete a full application and all necessary non-medical development if a deferred application was taken and the case is later identified as a CAL case after transfer to the DDS. Additional revisions are as follows:

  • •

    In sub-section A, we revised the title and reworded the content for clarity. We removed reference to QDD and provided a definition of a CAL case.

  • •

    In sub-section B, we revised the title and revised the content to identify a CAL case. We streamlined the content by removing the comparison of CAL to QDD.

  • •

    In sub-section C, we revised the title to correct the outdated terms. Revised the wording for clarity.

  • •

    In sub-section D, we reordered the content.

  • •

    In sub-section E, we reorganized the content with subheadings to better organize the content and clarify the instructions Updated the content to add instructions from EM-26011 for the FO to re-contact the claimant, if CAL is identified after transfer, within 1 workday to complete a full application, if a deferred application was taken.

  • •

    In sub-section F, we did not make any changes.

  • •

    In sub-section G, we expanded the title to better reflect the content. We reorganized the content for clarity.

DI 11005.604 Processing Compassionate Allowances (CAL) in the Field Office (FO)

A. What is a CAL case?

A CAL case is part of a fast-track process designed to quickly identify claimants with an impairment on the list of CAL conditions. This process allows us to expedite determinations and decisions on these cases. Although CAL cases are processed more quickly, the claimant must still be disabled as defined in the Social Security Act, and we evaluate the claim using the same sequential evaluation process as all other claims.

The CAL initiative is not a separate program from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI); all the same entitlement or eligibility requirements for these programs still apply. We have identified a specific list of impairments that are very severe, typically have a poor prognosis, and are highly likely to result in an allowance. For the list of CAL conditions, see DI 23022.080.

B. How do we identify a CAL case?

A CAL case in the Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS) is identified either electronically by selection software or manually when the claimant alleges an impairment that is on the list of CAL conditions. Electronic identification occurs when the selection software reviews the claimant’s alleged impairments from the SSA-3368 Disability Report – Adult or SSA-3820 Disability Report – Child and displays a CAL indicator in the electronic folder if a matching condition is found (by name, synonym, or abbreviation).

If a CAL condition is identified after the case has been transferred or during case development, the Disability Determination Services (DDS), Disability Quality Review (DQR), or hearings and appeals staff can manually add the CAL indicator at the appropriate adjudicative level, including initial, reconsideration, hearing, and Appeals Council. CAL does not apply to continuing disability review (CDR) cases.

NOTE: The CAL page can be accessed by selecting a link labeled "CAL" in the top right-hand frame of the electronic folder in eView. The CAL link will display "CAL: Y" or "CAL: N."

C. Screening for CAL at the initial interview or when reviewing an iClaim

All adjudicators should be familiar with the current CAL criteria, found in the list of CAL conditions in DI 23022.080. If you identify a potential CAL condition during a disability interview or while reviewing an iClaim, promptly begin full development of non-medical evidence and complete the full Title XVI claims path for SSI cases.

NOTE: The CAL list is updated frequently with new conditions. Please review the list regularly to ensure you have the most current information.

D. Processing initial claims involving CAL

When transferring a case in EDCS to the DDS, the selection software determines whether the case is identified for processing as a CAL case. If a CAL condition is identified, the FO receives one of the following on-screen message boxes in EDCS:

  • •

    "This case has been marked as a Compassionate Allowance case. Full non-medical development is required." or,

  • •

    "This case has been marked as a Quick Disability Determination and Compassionate Allowance case. Full non-medical development required."

Process CAL cases in the same manner as a Quick Disability Determinations (QDD) case. If you identify a potential CAL case during your interview or review of an online application, follow these steps:

  1. 1. 

    Follow instructions for processing QDD cases in DI 11005.603C - DI 11005.603F.

  2. 2. 

    If the claimant alleges cancer, obtain the type and stage (if known) and record this information on the ADIB screens on the Disability Condition section of the Modernized Claims System (MCS) DISB or Disability Clearance page in the Consolidated Claims Experience (CCE), or both.

  3. 3. 

    For Title XVI cases, revisit the possibility of Presumptive Disability/Blindness (PD/PB) payments if one of the PD/PB conditions is met. For PD/PB instructions see DI 11055.230.

  4. 4. 

    Annotate CAL as an issue on the MCS DW01 or CCE Development Worksheet page with a tickle date of 20-days and initiate non-medical development.

E. CAL identified or removed after FO transfer

After FO transfer, an electronic alert will be sent to the FO when CAL is added to a case not previously identified as CAL, or removed from a case previously identified as CAL.

1. CAL indicator added after transfer

If the FO receives an EDCS Action Item that a case has been added to CAL processing while it is pending at the DDS, the FO takes the following action(s):

  • •

    If a deferred application was taken and the case is later identified as a CAL case, the FO must re-contact the claimant within one workday to complete a full application;

  • •

    Annotate CAL as an issue on the MCS DW01 or CCE Development Worksheet page with a tickle date of 20 days. For appeals, a 20-day tickle is not needed; and

  • •

    Initiate full non-medical development.

2. FO receives a report of a CAL condition after transfer

If the FO receives a report of what appears to be a previously unreported CAL condition (from the claimant or representative) while the claim is at the DDS, the FO will take the following actions:

  • •

    Send an Update-After-Transfer (UAT) message via EDCS to the DDS concerning the allegation of a possible CAL condition. See DI 81010.095 Using the Update-After-Transfer (UAT) Utility.

  • •

    If the condition alleged by the claimant also qualifies as a TERI case, add an electronic TERI flag. See DI 81010.080 Alerts, Flags, and Messages in the Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS).

  • •

    Consider PD/PB payments for Title XVI cases. For PD/PB instructions, see DI 11055.230 and DI 11055.240.

  • •

    Update the MCS DW01 or CCE Development Worksheet page with CAL as an issue and set a tickle for 20 days for initial claims.

  • •

    If a deferred application was taken, re-contact the claimant within 1 workday to complete a full application.

  • •

    Initiate full non-medical development.

3. Case is removed from CAL processing

At times, DDS, DQR, or hearings and appeals level may remove a case from the CAL fast-track process. When a case is removed from CAL processing as described in DI 23022.055A, the system sends an automatic message in eView, as follows:

"Case has been removed from the Compassionate Allowance process because <insert reason>."

If the FO receives an EDCS Action Item that a case has been removed from CAL processing, update the MCS DW01 or CCE Development Worksheet page CAL issue receipt line with the date the Action Item was received and add the remark "Removed from CAL."

F. Appeals processing for CAL cases

If a CAL case is denied, it retains priority status at all levels of adjudication.

To determine if a denied claim was processed as CAL, look for the "CAL: Y" indicator on the eView header or the issue CAL on the MCS DW01 or CCE Development Worksheet page.

When processing an appeal in a CAL case, follow these steps:

  1. 1. 

    Follow processing guidelines in the following sections:

    • •

      DI 12005.000 Reconsiderations - Initial Claims,

    • •

      DI 12010.000 Hearings Level Review - Initial Claims, and

    • •

      DI 81010.150 Processing Claims Appeals of Medical Decisions in Electronic Disability Collect System (EDCS).

  2. 2. 

    Fax additional medical records of up to 15 pages, if they are in the claimant's possession, into eView or Evidence Portal per DI 11005.603C.4.

  3. 3. 

    Notify DDS hearings or appeals level of the need for CAL processing by annotating the remarks section of the EDCS Transfer page.

G. Request for review at the Appeals Council (AC) and a subsequent claim is filed that is CAL identified or removed from CAL processing

If a case is pending at the AC and a subsequent claim is filed, and identified as a CAL upon transfer of the new claim through EDCS to the DDS, the AC is notified via the following message in eView:

"Another case with this SSN: (insert SSN) has been identified as Compassionate Allowance because of the following conditions: <insert conditions>."

Conversely, if a case is pending at the AC and a subsequent case is removed from CAL processing by the DDS, the AC is notified via the following message in eView:

"Another case with this SSN: (insert SSN) has been removed from the Compassionate Allowance process."

 


DI 11005 TN 138 - Disability Interviews - 7/17/2026