DISABILITY SURVIVAL GUIDE: NORTH ALABAMA EDITION

While the Social Security Administration (SSA) is a federal agency, it does not make the initial decisions on who qualifies for a disability benefit.  This determination is made by a state agency which is staffed by state employees. In Alabama, this agency is the Disability Determination Service (DDS) in Birmingham. Getting a claim paid by the DDS is challenging.  Here is basically the process: Review of Medical Evidence – DDS gathers your medical records from doctors, hospitals, and treatment facilities. Assessment of Functional Limitations – The agency evaluates whether your condition limits your ability to work. Consultative Examinations (CEs) – If your medical records are incomplete, DDS may request additional exams from an SSA-paid doctor. Determination of Disability – Based on the evidence, DDS decides whether you meet SSA’s definition of disability. In most cases, you will not. Case Return to SSA – If approved, your claim moves to the payment processing center.. I...

Most Social Security disability claims will be denied twice:  First at the end of the Application process, and again after the "Reconsideration" process.  The third stop will be a hearing before a federal Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). It is here at the hearing level that most SSDI claims are paid.  So, what do you need to know about your Social Security disability hearing?     First, the judge will follow the rules established by the Social Security Administration.  His or her job is to determine whether you meet the particular laws and rules to receive disability payments.  So, it is a legal proceeding where you must prove certain things in order to get paid. Among the things you must prove:  Your insured status with Social Security:  You have worked recently enough and paid into the Social Security trust fund to gain the required "work credits" to support your claim.  You have a severe medical or mental impairment supported by adequa...

  Why does it take years to get Social Security to pay a legitimate disability claim?  Why does up to 80 percent of disability claims get denied?  Why must you go through 2 or 3 lengthy appeals to get the money we all know you deserve under the law? The most common reason Social Security denies claims is failure to prove that you are disabled under the Social Security rules.  The two key phrases are:  prove disability , and under their rules .  There must be solid, objective medical evidence that proves you are not able to work.  Some would say that this evidence must be so overwhelming that nobody could deny it.  Social Security certainly will deny it if they can.  You must have your doctor(s) on board. Also, the definition of "disabled" under Social Security is very, very strict.  You must be unable to perform any work which exists in the U.S. economy.  Unlike many other disability programs, the only people Social Security pays ar...