Medical Vocational Allowances Important Social Security Disability Determination
Posted on:7/16/2009
Written By: Chris Robideaux
| In this article, we will be examining the criteria for making Social Security disability claims more closely. This will help you better able to gauge exactly where you might stand amidst some of the more confusing aspects of the claims process. |
In this article, we will be examining the criteria for making Social Security disability claims more closely. This will help you better able to gauge exactly where you might stand amidst some of the more confusing aspects of the claims process. Once a Social Security disability claim has been taken at a social security office by a CR, (or claims representative), it is then forwarded to a state disability processing agency. This agency goes by different names in different states, but in most states the agency is designated as DDS, or Disability Determination Services.
In some cases, a Social Security disability claimant will have a condition that is listed in the blue book (the impairment listing manual, titled "Disability Evaluation Under Social Security"). And if they meet or equal the approval criteria for that condition, they may possibly be approved for benefits.
However, not every condition is listed in the book, and often the criteria is difficult to satisfy. For the majority of individuals who apply for disability, getting approved for benefits will mean receiving what is known as a medical vocational allowance.
A medical vocational allowance is given when the determination has been made that a claimant has functional limitations (physical, mental, or both) that prevent them from engaging in substantial gainful work activity, either at one of their former jobs (known as "past work"), or at some other type of other work for which they might otherwise be expected to transition to based on their age, education, work skills, and current limitations (not surprisingly, known as "other work").
If it is determined that a claimant cannot return to their past work, and cannot perform some type of other work, they will ordinarily be approved for disability. If the determination, however, is made that they can still perform their past work, or if it is determined that they are unable to perform their past work but can still transition to some type of other work, their claim will be denied.
This is essentially how the disability evaluation process works at the initial claim level for social security disability and SSI disability cases.