SSA Basic Information
People and Offices of the Social Security Administration (SSA)
Social Security Offices and Personnel
There are two different agencies that handle you claim, the federal Field Office of the Social Security Department and the state run Disability Determination Service (DDS) office. The Field Office handles the administrative end and the DDS handles the decision whether or not your application your claim is approved. Subsequent appeals of unfavorable determinations may be decided in SSA's Office of Disability Adjudication and Review by a DDS claims examiner or by an administrative law judge.
Social Security Disability Field Office
Social Security representatives in the field offices review applications for disability benefits in person, by telephone, by mail, or by filing online. The field office is responsible for verifying non-medical eligibility requirements, which include age, employment, marital status, or Social Security coverage information. The field office then sends the case to a DDS for medical and vocational skills evaluation.
Disability Determination Office
The Disability Determination Offices (DDS), which are fully funded by the Federal Government, are State agencies responsible for developing medical evidence and making the initial determination on whether or not a claimant is disabled or blind under the law.
Then, the DDS returns the case to the field office for appropriate action. If the DDS found that the claimant is disabled, the field office computes the benefit amount, and begins paying benefits. If the claimant was found not to be disabled, the file is kept in the field office in case the claimant decides to appeal the determination.
Who Does What – the People Who Handle Your Case
The two tables below show the title of the person and their responsibilities within the Field Office and the Disability Determination Office.
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Social Security Disability Field Office |
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Claim Representative: Responsibilities or actions they can take: |
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Verify administrative eligibility requirements; citizenship or legal residency, work history, sufficient financial contributions (Social Security tax). |
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Review the application for necessary information. |
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Forward the application to another office called Disability Determination Service. |
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After determination of approved for disability, processes payments; when denied holds application for appeal process. |
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Disability Determination Office |
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Disability Examiner: Responsibilities or actions they can take: |
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If needed, requests, additional information from claimant using state and federal forms. |
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Reviews and evaluates the application including work history and non-medical evidence. |
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Medical Consultant Responsibilities or actions they can take: |
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Reviews medical evidence |
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If needed, requests medical records from resources listed on the application |
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