While the Social Security Administration begins the process to determine disability, it is, in fact, a state agency called Disability Determination Services that makes the final decision in determining who is considered legally disabled. The first step of your disability claim is finding out if you are legally disabled is filling out an application with the Social Security Administration. They will review your information to determine whether you have worked enough years to qualify for disability. If you meet the basic requirements, the SSA will send your disability claim on to the Disability Determination Services in your state. This is where the real work on your application begins. Once your application reaches this point, the agency gathers information from doctors, hospitals and disability specialists. Your doctors are asked highly detailed information about your condition. Disability Determination Services will want to know various information about your medical condition, such as when and how it began and how this condition limits your physical activities.

Additionally, they will want to know what medical testing has shown and what types of treatments you have received/are receiving. Although your doctors are not asked to determine if you are disabled, they will be asked about how your condition affects your daily life. Your physicians will fill out a detailed information sheet about how they interpret your medical condition affects work-related activities such as walking, lifting, sitting, and remembering instructions.

Often the information given to the state agency by your doctors is not enough to make a decision. When this situation occurs, individual examinations will be scheduled for you. These additional tests may be with your own doctor, or a state contracted specialist. Social Security will pay for this additional testing.

After Disability Determination Services receives all the information they need, they will review your disability claim. After they have made a decision, they will forward all the information to Social Security. If the state agency does not approve your disability claim for disability, you may appeal their decision. Sometimes it is best to seek an expect for disability help if you are initially denied disability benefits. The appeals process may require additional medical testing and a hearing in front of a disability specialist. All disability applicants also have the right to counsel and receive disability help for your case from a variety of sources.