You might be wondering how the Social Security Administration (SSA) decides who qualifies for Philadelphia disability benefits if your application was rejected or you are still working on filing your claim. Not knowing what goes into deciding whether you have a legitimate disability can be frustrating when you are kept in the dark about things. Looking at how disability claim decisions are made and who is involved might help ease your concerns. If you have any further questions, then consider talking to a Philadelphia Disability Attorney for answers.

How Decisions Are Made for Philadelphia Disability Benefits

The SSA works with the Disability Determination Services and health professionals to determine whether you should qualify for disability benefits. In this sense, the Philadelphia disability claim decision process involves three main types of resources. While the SSA serves as the main hub for this process, the Disability Determination Services office in Philadelphia will make the initial disability determination decision.

During this first step, your local Disability Determination Services office will work with health professionals in Philadelphia to figure out whether your symptoms and medical condition represent a legitimate disability. They will go through doctors and hospitals where you were treated for your disability and will gather information on:

• The history of your medical condition or disability
• Signs and symptoms
• Diagnostic information
• Lab and other medical test results
• Whether past treatments have helped or not
• Physical and mental impairments caused by your disability

When Disability Determination Services is not able to gather enough information from your doctor and other medical staff, they may require you to undergo a Philadelphia consultative examination by a health professional of their choosing. This examination may only take an hour depending on your disability and will involve questions and tasks to perform. One of the end goals is to use all this information to determine whether your disability fits one of the listings in the SSA Blue Book.

What Role Do Philadelphia Disability Examiners Play?

Philadelphia disability examiners work with the Disability Determination Services of your state to acquire additional medical evidence for your disability when your doctor is unable to do so. They are the ones who conduct the tests and ask questions to write a full consultative exam report, something that plays a major role in your eligibility for disability benefits.

Depending on the type of disability you have, Disability Determination Services may choose a medical or psychological consultant. Each consultant is trained in how disability benefits work and who is eligible. They are the ones that will detail any impairments caused by your disability and whether these limitations will prevent you from working to help make the final decision on your disability claim.

Disability Lawyer in Philadelphia

Do not hesitate to seek help from a Philadelphia Delayed Insurance Benefits Lawyer if your disability application, interview, or consultative exam has been delayed multiple times. Call Edelstein & Nelson at 800-887-4529 for a consultation today. Our legal team of Philadelphia disability lawyers will help you collect the evidence and information you need for a strong disability claim.