The US Social Security Administration has expanded its Compassionate Allowances programme, adding 14 conditions to the fast-track disability process and bringing the official list to 300 conditions. The initiative was launched to identify disability claims involving medical conditions that clearly meet Social Security's statutory standard for disability. For patients facing severe illnesses, reducing the time required to reach a disability determination can provide critical access to benefits. Because of their severity, some Compassionate Allowances claims can be medically approved once the diagnosis has been confirmed. Complete information about the programme and the current list of 300 Compassionate Allowances conditions is available from the Social Security Administration.