What is the Indiana Disability Determination Bureau?
DDB is a state-level agency is 100% federally funded whose duty is to determine disability eligibility among claimants. The DDB’s determinations are made based on the SSA’s rules and regulations.
Indiana Social Security disability claimants are often confused by what the Disability Determination Bureau (DDB) does for the Social Security Administration (SSA).
The DDB is also known as the Disability Determination Services (DDS) in some states.
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When a claimant has a question regarding the status of their claim, it is best for the claimant to contact the DDB because the DDB examiners evaluate and process the claims.
This should not be confused with the claims representative that works for the Social Security Administration.
Claims reps do not examine or evaluate the disability claims.
Many times, a claimant or the claimant’s attorney may be contacted by the DDB to answer some additional questions to assist in processing the claim. Additional information may include:
- Activities of daily living such as how you perform yard work, prepare meals, shopping, and if you care for pets
- Personal hygiene
- Drug and/or alcohol use
- Additional physician information
- Where you live or who you live with
Claimants usually have 10 days to respond to the DDB’s questions. A claimant may ask the DDB for an extension to answer these questions. The DDB is where all claims are reviewed and resolved in the initial claim level and the reconsideration level.
It’s typical that most of the claims reviewed by the DDB are denied at these levels. If a claimant appeals the DDB’s decision, the claim will be heard in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
The ALJ will decide whether the claimant qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Scott D. Lewis, who is a practicing Indianapolis disability lawyer, finds that even though additional information is supplied to the Disability Determination Bureau, the claim is still denied.
However, Attorney Scott Lewis still believes that it is important to furnish the additional information that the DDB requests and hopes that you may be one of the lucky few who are approved during this stage.
If you have been denied Social Security disability benefits, call Indianapolis Lawyer Scott D. Lewis for a free consultation regarding your claim at (866) 950-5116.
Scott Lewis will fight for what you deserve!
