 SSDRC What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI? If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits? How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition? What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare? How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid? Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability? What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits? Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression? Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits? Social Security Disability Status Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts |
How does Social Security use Evidence to Decide an SSDI or SSI Disability Claim and Make a Decision?How to prove you are disabled and win disability benefits Disability decisions for claims filed with the social security administration utilize a process known as sequential evaluation. Under this system, a disability examiner will essentially review the case to determine if the claimant is capable of engaging in work activity while earning a livable wage (known as SGA or substantial gainful activity). When a disability examiner at DDS (disability determination services) is working to evaluate and reach a decision on an SSDI (social security disability insurance) or SSI (supplemental security income) case, the examiner will focus on evidence. The evidence includes that evidence which has been supplied by the claimant at the time of applying for disability, and also that evidence which has been further gathered by the examiner from A) medical treatment sources, B) the claimant, C) employers (though this is not usually the case), and D) individuals who know the claimant (this is usually in the form of a third-party contact individual who has been listed by the claimant at time of filing for disability). The evidence reviewed and evaluated by a disability examiner tends to fall into three types of categories: medical evidence, vocational evidence, and subjective assessments. Medical evidence on a social security disability or SSI case includes all the records that are gathered from the claimant's treatment sources, such as individual physicians, hospitals, and clinics. It will also include the results and reports obtained from any medical examinations that the claimant is sent to. These examinations are known as "consultative examinations". A CE is paid for by the social security administration and is performed by a medical physician, or psychiatrist if the exam is psychiatric in nature, or a psychologist if the exam involves memory or IQ testing. Vocational evidence on a social security disability or SSI case includes all the evidence that pertains to the claimant's work history. This will typically include the information that the claimant has supplied at the disability application interview regarding their past work history, as well as any work activity forms that have been requested by the disability examiner. It may also involve any information gathered directly from the claimant's former employers (though, ordinarily, disability examiners do not take the time to contact former employers). Lastly, vocational evidence can include the testimony of a vocational expert at a disability hearing if the administrative law judge holding the hearing has determined that it is necessary. Subjective Assessments correlates with information gathered from the disability claimant or from individuals who know the claimant. A good example of this is information obtained that records ADLs, or activities of daily living. To elaborate, very often disability examiners will either phone an applicant or send them them a form to complete that asks about their daily activities. Examples of the questions that are asked include: "Are you able to cook?", "How do you go about your grocery shopping?", Can you use a vacuum cleaner?", "Can you reach into cupboards?", Can you bend down to retrieve items from cabinets?", "Do you have difficulty with personal hygeine tasks such as bathing?", etc. The objective of this type of questioning is for the disability examiner to learn whether or not the claimant is experiencing any day-to-day functional limitations. Why are such limitations important? Because these are the same types of limitations that might be reflected in a work environment, meaning that if a person has difficulty picking up a bag of groceries, they might also have difficulty picking up a container or box. Or if that same individual has difficulty buttoning a shirt due a hand impairment, they might also have difficulty with fine and dexterous movements involving precision tools or even in operating equipment. 
Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page Topics and Questions SSD and SSI are Federal Programs The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here: Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials |