Many clients call and are confused between the two departments. Most Social Security disability claims are initially processed through a local Social Security Administration field office (DO) such as applications and appeals. Social Security representatives in the field offices usually obtain 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 may include age, employment, or even marital status. The field office then sends the case to a Disability Determination Service (DDS) for evaluation of disability. DDS locations are fully funded by the Federal Government and are State agencies responsible for developing medical evidence and determining the initial decision on whether or not a claimant is disabled under the law.
If you are determined to have a medical condition that affects your ability to perform work as you have previously disability examiners assess your “residual functional capacity” (RFC). RFC’s are based on the evidence regarding your condition and used to determine what you can still do, despite any limitations caused by your impairment and related symptoms, such as pain and fatigue. Many people know these documents as Function Reports to decide whether you can do your past work. Disability examiners consider many factors, such as your ability for sitting, standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling; your ability for reaching, handling large objects, using your fingers, feeling, stooping, balancing, climbing stairs or ladders, kneeling, crouching, crawling. In addition, disability examiners may also consider environmental conditions, such as temperature extremes, wetness, humidity, noise, hazardous working conditions like moving machinery or heights, dust, fumes, etc. Other factors may include your ability to see, hear, speak, maintain concentration and attention at work, understand, remember and carry out instructions. Disability examiners also evaluate the demands of your recent past work and compare them with their assessment of your remaining ability to do basic work activities. They only examine past work that they consider relevant.
DDS examiners who medically review a claim obtain medical evidence from the claimant’s medical sources first. If that evidence is unavailable or insufficient to make a determination, the DDS will arrange for a consultative examination (CE) to obtain the additional information necessary to make a determination. The claimant’s treating source is generally the preferred source for the CE, but the DDS may obtain the CE from an independent source. After completing the development of medical evidence, the disability examiner along with physicians makes the initial disability determination. Finally, DDS examiners return the claim to the DO for appropriate action. If the DDS found that the claimant is disabled, SSA completes any outstanding non-disability development, 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.
