What Is Disability Determination Services?
If you are severely disabled and your disability prevents you from being gainfully employed, you may be entitled to receive benefits under the Social Security Disability Program. Being disabled does not mean that you cannot perform any work at all. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses the information provided in your application and other supporting documentation to determine if there are jobs available that you can perform despite your mental or physical impairments. If a significant number of jobs exist, even if you have never worked in that field before, you will be denied benefits. The determination of whether you are disabled is typically handled through field offices and state agencies known as Disability Determination Services.
Filing a Disability Claim with the Social Security Administration
In order to determine if you qualify for disability benefits, you must file an application with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Applications are typically filed through field offices by mail, telephone or online. The application and required forms ask for a detailed description of your disability, your age, employment, marital status and other personal information. The field office and the Disability Determination Services work together to determine whether your impairment meets the requirements for disability benefits.
The first step is for the field office to verify non-medical eligibility requirements such as employment history, age and Social Security coverage. If you meet these requirements, the filed office will send your case file to Disability Determination Services to determine your medical eligibility for disability benefits.
What Role Does the Disability Determination Services Play in Determining Social Security Disability?
Disability Determination Services offices are state agencies that are funded by the federal government. The purpose of Disability Determination Services is to determine if your emotional and/or physical impairment meets the medical requirements to qualify for disability benefits. A disability examiner will be assigned to review your case. The examiner will use your medical records to make a determination, if possible. If the information is insufficient, the examiner may request a consultative examination to obtain additional medical information.
Once the Disability Determination Services examiner completes his or her disability determination, the file is returned to the field office for further processing. If the Disability Determination Services finds that your impairment prevents you from being gainfully employed, the SSA will complete the processing procedures and begin paying disability benefits directly to you. If the examiner finds that you are not disabled, you can file an appeal of the determination of the Disability Determination Services examiner.
Filing for disability benefits can be complicated due to the rules and regulations. If you must file an appeal, you will have an entirely new set of rules and regulations. Hiring an experienced Social Security disability attorney is in your best interest. Your attorney is familiar with the rules, regulations and requirements of the SSA. Your attorney will make the process easier and less stressful by handling the paperwork and dealing with government agencies on your behalf.
Contact an Experienced Elizabethtown Social Security Disability Attorney
We’ve Helped Thousands of KY Families, we can help you!
The Social Security attorneys of Musselwhite Meinhart & Staples, PSC have over 50 years of combined legal experience. If you are having trouble with your Social Security disability claim, we can help you. We represent clients in Hardin County and throughout Central Kentucky from our office in Radcliff and Elizabethtown and Louisville.
Contact us at our Radcliff and Elizabethtown Office in Hardin County at (270) 351-6032 or at 1-800-754-HELP to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. You may also contact our office through our convenient online contact form.