The Social Security Administration has added 13 new diseases and conditions to its list of disabilities, which earn those suffering serious medical issues a faster benefits application process.

Those applying for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income who have conditions on the Compassionate Allowances list , or CAL, have their applications processed more quickly, the agency says. Since the program started in 2008, more than 1.1 million people with severe disabilities have been approved via the expedited process, the SSA said in a news release dated Aug. 11 .

“We are constantly looking for ways to improve our disability programs and serve the public more effectively,” said SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano in the news release. "This is part of our broad

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