The first thing you need to do is apply for Social Security disability benefits. Applications are taken
at the local Social Security Administration offices. If you are applying for Social Security disability (SSDI) you can apply
by phone, mail, on-line or in person. Your Lawyer or representative can also file your application. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) on the other hand must be done in person at a local Social Security office. Your claim
for disability benefits will then be processed by Social Security field offices and state agencies. The Social Security field
office will verify your age, marital status, employment and if you are covered under Social Security by paying into the system
thru your taxes. The file is then sent to Disability Determination Services (DDS) to determine if you are medically disabled.
The DDS is responsible for getting the medical information needed from your doctors and usually consultative examining doctors
that are paid by the Social Security Administration. Ounce DDS determines they have enough medical evidence they will make
the first decision if you are disabled. If you are found disabled the DDS will then send the file back to the Social Security
field office to asses the amount of your disability benefits and will then begin paying those benefits. If the DDS finds you
not disabled then the file is also sent back to the Social Security field office were the file waits to see if you appeal
the decision. If you appeal the decision in some states you go to the process of reconsideration. This is basically a repeat
of the above process. In other states if you appeal your initial denial you will go straight to the hearing stage before an
administrative law judge. In states that have reconsideration if you are denied this second time you go to the hearing stage.
Your case is now in another office called the Office of Hearing and Appeals (OHA). On a side note the Office of Hearings and
Appeals is now called the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review or ODAR. The wait time for a hearing is long usually
anywhere from 12-18 months and sometimes longer. If you win at this stage and your case is not reviewed by the Appeals Council it will be sent to local field office for payment. If you lose at this stage you can appeal the decision to the Appeals Council.
The Appeals Council can deny your appeal, remand the case for another hearing, or find you disabled. If you lose at the Appeals
Council your only recourse is to file civil action in United States Federal Court.
Social Security News Release
Social
Security Announces Nationwide Launch of Compassionate Allowances
Process Will Fast Track Applications For People with Cancers
and Rare Diseases
Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner
of Social Security, today announced the national rollout of the agency’s Compassionate Allowances initiative, a way
to expedite the processing of disability claims for applicants whose medical conditions are so severe that their conditions
obviously meet Social Security’s standards.“Getting benefits quickly to people with the most severe medical conditions is both the right and the compassionate
thing to do,” Commissioner Astrue said. “This initiative will allow us to make decisions on these cases in a matter
of days, rather than months or years.”Social Security is launching this expedited decision process with a total of 50 conditions. Over time, more diseases
and conditions will be added. A list of the first 50 impairments -- 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers -- can be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances. Before announcing this initiative, Social Security held public hearings to receive information from experts on rare
diseases and cancers. The agency also enlisted the assistance of the National Institutes of Health. Compassionate Allowances is the second piece
of the agency’s two-track, fast-track system for certain disability claims. When combined with the agency’s Quick
Disability Determination process, and once fully implemented, this two-track system could result in six to nine percent of
disability claims, the cases for as much as a quarter million people, being decided in an average of six to eight days."This is an outstanding
achievement for the Social Security Administration," said Peter Saltonstall, President of the National Organization for
Rare Disorders. "It has taken Social Security less than a year to develop this much-needed program that will benefit
those whose claims merit expedited consideration based on the nature of their disease. Disability backlogs cause a hardship
for patients and their families. Commissioner Astrue and his staff deserve our thanks for a job well done.”“Unfortunately, many
hardworking people with cancer may not only face intensive treatment to save their lives, but they may also find themselves
truly unable to perform their daily work-related activities and as result, may face serious financial concerns, such as the
loss of income and the cost of treatment,” said Daniel E. Smith, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action
Network. “The Social Security Administration’s Compassionate Allowances program will help streamline the disability
benefits application process so that benefits are quickly provided to those who need them most.”“This is America, and
it simply is not acceptable for people to wait years for a final decision on a disability claim,” Commissioner Astrue
said. “I am committed to a process that is as fair and speedy as possible. The launch of Compassionate Allowances is
another step to ensuring Americans with disabilities, especially those with certain cancers and rare diseases, get the benefits
they need quickly.”# # #
SSA Press Office 440 Altmeyer Building 6401 Security
Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21235
410-965-8904 FAX 410-966-9973
