More Information About the Initial Stage

After receiving your application, the Social Security office will review your file and first determine if you have enough work credits to qualify by checking your age and work history. The office will also verify the relationship between you and any family member who is applying for benefits off of your record.

After the Social Security office completes its review, it will send your file the organization that will determine, at least initially, if you are disabled according to the Social Security Act's definition. This office, known as the Disability Determination Services (DDS), will gather and evaluate all of your relevant medical history to make its determination. Typically, DDS will send medical report forms to persons and places who have treated you, and will ask about your condition, date it started, your lifestyle with the condition, and any treatment you have received. The DDS will not ask these persons if you are disabled, they will decide that issue themselves. If the DDS feels that it does not know enough about your condition to make a determination one way or the other, the DDS may request a "consultative examination." This examination is oftentimes performed by your doctor and will allow DDS to learn more about your condition.

The DDS may need more medical information before they can decide your case. If it is not available from your current medical sources, they may ask you to go to a special examination called a "consultative examination." Your doctor is the preferred source to do this examination but it may be done by someone else. Social Security will pay for the examination and for certain travel expenses related to it. When DDS reaches a decision it will notify you by mail.  Having a Social Security Home Attorney on your side can help you through the entire process.  They can help strengthen your case by referring you to additional doctors, assist you in filling out the forms and answer any questions that you may have about your case.