Disability Decision Making
SSA will review your application to make sure you meet some basic requirements for
disability benefits. They will check whether you worked enough years to qualify.
Also, they will evaluate any current work activities. If you meet these requirements,
SSA will send your application to the Disability Determination Services office in
your state.
• What your medical condition is;
• When your medical condition began;
• How your medical condition limits your activities;
• What the medical tests have shown; and
• What treatment you have received.
They also will ask the doctors for information about your ability to do work-related activities, such as walking, sitting, lifting, carrying and remembering instructions. Your doctors are not asked to decide if you are disabled.
The state agency staff may need more medical information before they can decide
if you are disabled. If more information is not available from your current medical
sources, the state agency may ask you to go for a special examination. They prefer
to ask your own doctor, but sometimes the exam may have to be done by someone else.
Social Security will pay for the exam and for some of the related travel costs.
They use a five-step process to decide if you are disabled.
When the state agency reaches a decision on your case, they will send you a letter.
If your application is approved, the letter will show the amount of your benefit
and when your payments start. If your application is not approved, the letter will
explain why and tell you how to appeal the decision if you do not agree with it.
If you disagree with a decision made on your claim, you can appeal it. The steps you can take are explained in The Appeals Process.
