SSA Clarifies Rules on Past Relevant Work

Submitted by Kyle on

When an applicant sends a disability claim to the Social Security Administration, an adjudicator who works for the SSA review’s the applicant’s file to determine whether or not the individual qualifies for Social Security Disability benefits. While this file is under review, a number of factors are taken into consideration including the applicant’s past relevant work activity. Recently the SSA has created rules that affect how past relevant work experience is viewed.

What Role Does the DDS Play in the Disability Process?

Submitted by Kyle on

When a Social Security Disability applicant files a claim for Social Security Disability benefits, there are a number of “stages” that this claim goes through. When the applicant’s claim is first filed, it is handled by one of the SSA’s field offices and then once the field office is done with the claim, another agency (usually referred to as Disability Determination Services of DDS) handles the remainder of the claim processing.

Pasadena Social Security Disability

Pasadena is located in Los Angeles County in the State of California. Pasadena has the distinction of being a football city, with famous laboratories and universities like the Art Center College of Design. Well-known museums like the Norton Simon museum of Art and the Pacific Asia museum are situated in the Californian city of Pasadena as well. Pasadena also has its fair share of natural beauty. Bordered by the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Rafael Hills, Pasadena is a pleasure to see, whether living there or just visiting.

Sunnyvale Social Security Disability

Sunnyvale is a city located in the State of California. It is one of the main cities that make up the Silicon Valley that is situated in the San Francisco Bay Area. According to a 2010 survey, the population of Sunnyvale was estimated to be approximately 140,081. The city is surrounded by parts of San Jose from the north and residents and visitors enjoy sights of different mountain views from the west.

Alexandria Social Security Disability

Alexandria is a U.S. city located about six miles south of Washington DC, the capital of the United States. The Potomac River borders the east of the area, which is situated in the state of Virginia. The majority of the 139,966 people who live in Alexandria are employed in the federal civil services sector, offering their services to the government of the United States. The entire nature of the city has been influenced by its closeness to the capital of the U.S. The city covers an area of roughly 40 square kilometers and is north of Fairfax County.

Cary Social Security Disability

As of 2010, Cary, North Carolina had a population of about 135,200. It is among the large communities in the Raleigh-Durham area of the state and a major player in the high tech industry. While computer technology and software development companies are the biggest employers in the city, the medical and manufacturing sectors also play a significant role in Cary’s economy.

Fort Collins,CO Social Security Disability

As of 2010, Fort Collins, Colorado had a population of about 144,000. It is the county seat for Larimar County and home to many civil and government employment opportunities, as a result. In addition to county and regional leadership positions, individuals living and working in the Fort Collins area most often find employment in the manufacturing, education and retail sectors.

Fort Collins Social Security claims, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are handled by the Region 8 district office of the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Region 8 office in Denver, CO sees about 11,200 new claims annually.

SSDI is issued to those who are unable to work for twelve or more consecutive months because they are totally or completely disabled by either a long term or permanent condition. To qualify for SSDI, you must meet the SSA’s disability requirements. You must also have accumulated enough work credits over the course of your employment history, particularly, the last decade. If you do not meet work credit requirements for SSDI, you may still be eligible to receive SSI benefits.

Apply for Fort Collins Social Security Disability Benefits

Applying for Fort Collins Social Security Disability benefits is a complicated and lengthy process. It is best undertaken with legal help from a Fort Collins disability lawyer. The SSA finds only about 35 percent of initial applications for SSD eligible for benefits. Claims are processed by the regional office and those not deemed eligible during the initial review must go through a reconsideration process. Only about 12 percent of reconsidered claims are approved. All others who wish to continue pursuing SSDI must file an appeal and having the help of a Fort Collins Social Security Disability attorney greatly increases your chances of being found eligible for benefits.

The majority of Social Security Disability claims in Fort Collins that are denied benefits are lacking in sufficient medical documentation to substantiate the applicant’s disability. The SSA requires particular tests and types of treatments must have been completed and appropriately documented in order to find an applicant eligible for SSD benefits. This is exactly what a Fort Collins disability lawyer will ensure takes place upon reviewing your SSD application.

A Fort Collins disability attorney can assist you in getting the right medical care and will thoroughly review your application for disability benefits and your entire case file in order to ensure the documentation is all in order. Having legal assistance early in the disability application process may help prevent the need for additional reviews or appeals. Even if you’re denied benefits initially, a Fort Collins Social Security attorney can help improve your chances of being found eligible in the end and will be legal counsel for your appeals hearing, helping you prepare for testifying and arguing your case in front of the administrative law judge who will make the final determination on your eligibility for SSD benefits.

Below is the primary Social Security office that accepts applications for Fort Collins disability:

Fort Collins Social Security Disability
301 S Howes St, 4th Floor,
Fort Collins, CO 80521

Fort Collins Social Security Disability Resources

Being approved under SSA guidelines for disability benefits requires significant medical documentation of your disability and ongoing treatment you’ve received. Affording adequate healthcare when on a limited income can be difficult however. Here are some of the Fort Collins disability resources for getting low cost and free medical services, including those in nearby Loveland, CO.

Fort Collins Salud Family Health Center
1635 Blue Spruce Dr,
Fort Collins, CO 80524-5427
(970)494-4040

Sunrise Larimer Center Clinic
1250 N Wilson Ave,
Loveland, CO 80537-4461
(970)353-9403

Loveland Community Health Center
450 Cleveland Ave,
Loveland, CO 80537-5508
(970)669-4855

Your Fort Collins Disability Claim

All successful claims for disability benefits contain ample medical documentation. Before turning in your initial application to the SSA, you should consider having your case evaluated by a Fort Collins Social Security attorney. Doing so makes it more likely you’ll see a favorable outcome. Your Fort Collins disability lawyer will review all of the documentation in your file and ensure it meets the SSA’s requirements and will charge no upfront costs to you for their services. In fact, a Fort Collins disability lawyer is only paid if you receive SSD benefits.