Who Makes The Social Security Disability Decision, A Judge Or A Caseworker?The Social Security Administration does not actually use caseworkers. Caseworkers are typically employed at various departments of mental health and departments of Social Services. Social Security uses claims representatives (CRs) to take the actual disability application or appeal in a local social security field office. Once the claims representative has gathered all of the needed information (at, and after, the disability application interview), they send the disability claim to a state agency (Disability Determination Services, or DDS) for a medical decision. Once at the state agency, disability examiners, physicians, and vocational staff are involved in making Social Security Disability decisions. If an individual's disability claim is denied, they will have to begin an appeal process that might end with an administrative law judge making their Social Security Disability decision. Prior to going to a disability hearing, an individual must first file a reconsideration appeal that is sent to the same state disability agency that made their initial disability claim decision. The "request for reconsideration" is the first appeal that is available to claimants who have been denied on their application for disability. It should be no surprise that, at level of a reconsideration appeal, very few initial disability claim denials are reversed to an allowance, especially since the disability decision is being made at the same state disability agency using the same strict decisional guidelines. The only real difference is that a different disability examiner will make the reconsideration disability decision. Unless the first disability examiner made a clear error in the medical determination, or there is new material evidence that allows the reconsideration appeal to be approved, the outcome can almost be guaranteed to be the same. For most, the only encouraging thing about a reconsideration appeal is that the denial allows an individual to appeal their disability case to an administrative law judge. Although judges have to use the same disability guidelines to make their decisions, they have more flexibility in their interpretation of the medical evidence and the application of the Social Security Disability vocational guidelines. Perhaps this is why more disability claims are approved when a judge makes the disability decision. The national approval rate for disability ALJs is about sixty six percent, which makes it the most favorable level of the disability process. In a nutshell, Social Security medical decisions are made both by disability examiners and administrative law judges. There are no caseworkers in Social Security. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: Do CE exams usually result in denials for disability? How to get disability, tip 1 How often do you have to recertify for Social Security Disability or SSI? How long does it take to get a decision on Social Security Disability or SSI? What kind of Final Decision can I receive on my Disability Application? How are Decisions on SSDI and SSI Disability Claims made by SSA? How the Decision on a Disability Application or Appeal is Made Who Makes The Social Security Disability Decision, A Judge Or A Caseworker? How long does the Social Security judge take to make a decision on a case? Will an SSI or Social Security Exam help with the Decision? Can you get a Social Security Disability decision in under a month? Still Waiting For My Social Security Disability Decision The average amount of time it takes for a disability decision Social Security Disability, SSI Decisions. What Is the Rate of Approval? Social Security On The Record Disability Decisions |
