Who is a DDS Examiner?
The process of applying for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) is one that requires providing exact information, meeting the qualifications, and following the necessary steps for approval. As part of this process, the Disability Determination Services (DDS), which is the branch of the SSA that will make the decision whether to approve your application for benefits or not, will assign a DDS examiner to your case.
This is where we can help. At the Disability Help Center San Diego, we offer our knowledge and expertise in filing for disability benefits with the DDS. You can come by our offices at 1833 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 or call at (619) 282-1761 today.
DDS Examiner
The examiner is the person who will determine based on the information you provide whether you qualify for disability benefits or not under the law. This means that they will make the decision on whether your application and backing material, such as medical records, meets the qualifications for what is considered disabled and unable to perform the work necessary to sustain an income.
After your application is accepted by the DDS, an examiner will be assigned to carry out the next step in the process. They will use what is known as a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form that they fill out according to the information that you provided. This includes all relevant medical information which is put into your application.
The RFC form has five criteria that must be met for your claim to be approved. The criteria for approval is as follows;
- Basic Qualification of Disability
- Severity of Disability
- Ability to Return to Previous Work
- Ability to Perform Other Types of Gainful Employment
- Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
If you meet all five criteria, then the DDS examiner will approve your application and the disability benefits will be calculated and sent to you on a monthly basis. You will be notified if your disability benefits application is accepted by the DDS examiner.
However, if the DDS examiner believes that you have not met the basic criteria, then your application will be rejected. There is an interim step in case the DDS examiner wants more information called the Consultative Exam (CE). This step is present for applications where the person may qualify for disability benefits, but more information is needed to make the best-informed decision.
The CE may consist of getting further medical records, asking questions, and compiling additional information which helps the examiner make the determination. The CE allows for applications which are close to meeting the criteria to be approved or disapproved without having to be fully resubmitted.
It is during this process that you may want assistance to ensure that your application meets the standards and avoids mistakes or misinformation that might cause your application to be rejected.
Disability Help Center San Diego
If you need assistance in filling out your application for disability benefits, have your questions answered, or need representation during the process, please call the Disability Help Center San Diego at (619) 282-1761 today. You can find our offices at 1833 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101.
We are here to help you in every way we can to ensure that your application for disability benefits goes through as smoothly as possible. This means that we have a team of knowledgeable, experienced professionals who have worked with DDS examiners to ensure that the process goes quickly, and mistakes are avoided. Let us help you when applying for disability benefits from the Disability Determination Services of the Social Security Administration.