When you apply for Social Security disability benefits (SSDB), the case is sent to a state agency, usually called the "Disability Determination Service" or DDS. DDS is a state run agency operating under contract with the Social Security Administration.
The role of the DDS is to gather all the relevant medical records, evaluate the work history and vocational skills of the claimant, and make an initial determination as to whether the claimant meets Social Security's rules for disability.
The person who handles the claim at DDS is called a "disability specialist." After this specialist has worked up the file, he/she has it reviewed by a contracted, or sometimes employed, medical doctor. When a decision is made, the file is sent back to the local Social Security office from where it came and Social Security sends a determination letter to the claimant. About 70 percent of cases are denied at the DDS level (often referred to as "the state level").
The process at the DDS level is fairly mechanical. In most cases, there is no medical examination of the claimant. In some cases, however, the claimant will be sent to either a physical consultative exam or a psychological consultative exam, sometimes to both. As I have discussed in a previous listing, the consultative examinations are seldom helpful to the claimant.
Since more than two-thirds of claims are denied at the initial level it stands to reason that most claims must be appealed. About half of those which get appealed are eventually approved. At the appeal stage, in particular, a representative familiar with Social Security rules and regulations can be of tremendous assistance.
The role of the DDS is to gather all the relevant medical records, evaluate the work history and vocational skills of the claimant, and make an initial determination as to whether the claimant meets Social Security's rules for disability.
The person who handles the claim at DDS is called a "disability specialist." After this specialist has worked up the file, he/she has it reviewed by a contracted, or sometimes employed, medical doctor. When a decision is made, the file is sent back to the local Social Security office from where it came and Social Security sends a determination letter to the claimant. About 70 percent of cases are denied at the DDS level (often referred to as "the state level").
The process at the DDS level is fairly mechanical. In most cases, there is no medical examination of the claimant. In some cases, however, the claimant will be sent to either a physical consultative exam or a psychological consultative exam, sometimes to both. As I have discussed in a previous listing, the consultative examinations are seldom helpful to the claimant.
Since more than two-thirds of claims are denied at the initial level it stands to reason that most claims must be appealed. About half of those which get appealed are eventually approved. At the appeal stage, in particular, a representative familiar with Social Security rules and regulations can be of tremendous assistance.
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