What is MassAbility’s role in determining disability benefits?
MassAbility’s Disability Determination Services division plays a crucial role in evaluating the medical eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). While the Social Security Administration (SSA) handles initial applications and non-medical criteria, DDS is responsible for the medical determination of whether an applicant is considered disabled under the law. MassAbility can assist in following up on cases that are still with DDS and haven’t been returned to SSA. A release of information is required to communicate about a claimant’s case.
What is the difference between the Social Security Administration and MassAbility's Disability Determination Services?
| Social Security Administration (SSA) | MassAbility Disability Determination Services (DDS) |
|---|---|
| The federal agency that manages SSI. The SSA local office verifies non-medical eligibility, such as income, resources, and living arrangements, before forwarding the case to MassAbility DDS for the medical determination. | A division of the state agency funded by the federal government, that performs the actual medical evaluation for disability claims. After the DDS makes its initial disability determination, it returns the case to the SSA for final processing. |
How does DDS determine eligibility?
- Develops medical evidence: When a person applies for SSI, their local SSA field office first checks for non-medical eligibility factors, such as income, assets, and citizenship. If these are met, the SSA sends the case to MassAbility for a medical evaluation. The DDS then collects medical records and other evidence from the claimant's doctors and other medical sources.
- Conducts consultative examinations (CEs): If the existing medical evidence is insufficient, MassAbility DDS may schedule a consultative examination, which is a medical examination paid for by the government.
- Makes the initial disability determination: After gathering all necessary medical and vocational information, a Disability Examiner evaluates the claimant's case.
Where to follow up if a claimant’s case has left MassAbility?
Once a case has been returned to SSA, MassAbility can no longer obtain information. Constituents can be referred to:
Social Security Administration (SSA):
Main Line: 1-800-772-1213
TTY: 1-800-325-0778
Website: ssa.gov
Legal Support (Appeals, Overpayments):
- Disability Law Center (MA): dlc-ma.org
- Greater Boston Legal Services: gbls.org
Federal Funding Information
MassAbility is a state agency that utilizes federal funding in several of the programs that serve constituents of Massachusetts with disabilities. Federal funding also supports much of our workforce. Below you can find various MassAbility programs that utilize federal funds.