Louisiana Disability Determination Services

For most American citizens, disability benefits are taken care of by a government agency commonly known as the Social Security Administration. It supports both the financial and basic needs of disabled people. It divides into two streams that are Social Security Disability Insurance Program and Supplemental Security Income.

1) Supplemental Security Income: It facilitates the people who are unable to earn a living because of some physical or mental deficiency. It pays for the daily expenses of such people. The provision of benefits ranges over a wide variety of citizens of different ages.

2) Social Security Disability Insurance Program: This program provides incentives for disabled people who can earn. This facility is known as work credits. It is specifically for individuals who despite their disability can make a living. As a reward or incentive, these people can get two years of medical care i.e. Medicare? This element assures that this program is for disabled people.

Coverage of following programs

SSI assists the following people:

Children under 18 whose parents are unable to earn good money

Disable people who meet the requirements of this particular resource

Recipients receive Medicaid

SSI recipients receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

SSDI provides for the following people:

Disable people who have paid Social Security Taxes

Before the expiry of the Date, Last Insured (DLI) people can avail of it.

Eligibility for Medicare is for people 65 or above 65.

Medicare is received by young people who are disabled.

Disability Determination Services

Their sole purpose is to find people among Americans for Social Security Administration. Its purpose is to find either physically or mentally deficient people and take their care. SSA takes responsibility for these disabled people. SSA provides these people with both financial and medical support.

Eligibility for Disability Determination Services

1) An adult of age 18 or above

2) Children under 18

3) A person disabled since birth

4) Disable people under 65

5) If the lost spouse used to pay Social Security Taxes, the other disabled spouse (widow or widower) is eligible for Social Security Administration.

6) A worker who can earn and pay taxes and disabled can get Medicare services.

Criteria of disability

A person who is not able to carry out any action that a regular person can perform comes under the criteria. Medical reports should support the disability. The medical background is necessary because it provides the ultimate proof of one’s disability. This report includes the symptoms, signs, and laboratory test results of disable people. In the application process, a person’s statement will not be considered an official form of data. The process requires an account of this medical report. The medical impairment should be by birth or should last longer than the period of 12 months. The disability should restrict one’s beneficial potential. So that the help he or she is getting from the administration is justified.

Methods used for disability determination

Application or applicant’s statement: It is the first step in the determination process. In this step, the disabled person gives an application. This statement includes information about how their disability limits their gainful activities. Even the regular activities that the person is unable to do, for example, housekeeping, eating, bathing, etc. are included. In this application, an explanation of medical conditions takes place. However, this explanation is not sufficient for further procedure. The next steps require authentic medical reports. 

Medical records: DDS contacts the physician(s) of the patient dealing with a disability. In this case, DDS obtains official medical reports. Sometimes DDS provides and pays for a physician to examine the disabled person who has applied. DDS takes authentic medical reports and considers the disability.

Examining an applicant’s life history: DDS officers examine the patients but if mistrust occurs officers go this way to approve the innocence of the applicant. DDS contacts the applicant’s family members, friends, relatives, etc.

Final decision: This decision is dependent upon the face to face test of application. The ability to sit, stand, bend helps in judging physical disability and the mental deficiencies are determined by one’s communication skills. After this assurance, the application finally comes under the supervision of DDS.

If a person is no longer disabled according to the definition of disability expressed in the statement, chances are there that DDS cuts the resources short. The issue resolves by carrying out Hearings with the DDS Hearing Officer. These officers are in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and New Orleans.

For further information can visit

Website: www.ssa.gov

Or Call the Toll-free number: 1-800-772-1213

Also Read: Idaho Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD)