When your initial Social Security disability claim is filed, based on your zip code, your initial claim is routed to your local or field Social Security office where a Social Security caseworker reviews your application and may contact you to obtain any necessary or missing information that relates to your alleged disability. Then the Social Security worker sends your application to Disability Determination Services or DDS for medical and vocational evaluation.
Your local or field office is responsible for verifying non-medical information such as social security disability coverage, date last insured, SSI eligibility, age verification, immigration status verification, employment , your children information if any, or your marital status. Disability Determination Services or DDS is responsible for the medical and vocational evaluation which involves reviewing your medical evidence , classifying your past work if any, and determining if you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits based on your medical conditions, your work experience, your age, and your education.
After completion of DDS evaluation, the DDS returns the case to your field office for appropriate action. If the DDS determines that you are disabled, your caseworker at your local office completes the file which in some cases involves a short interview to compute your benefit amount and begins paying you. If DDS finds that you are not disabled, you receive a letter with a very brief explanation of why you are being denied and explaining your appeal rights.
If you are denied benefits, you can file an appeal with your local Social Security office within 60 days of your denial. After your appeal is filed, depending on the appeal level, your local office sends the case back to DDS for another review or to the hearing office if your are requesting a hearing by an Administrative Law Judge or ALJ.
We highly recommend that you contact us if you are planning to file an initial Social Security disability claim or if you have received a denial. Having representation can significantly increase your chance to win your case. Please call / text (310) 420-3505 or (310) 867-1229.