LITTLE ROCK — Q. My doctor said he thinks I’m disabled. Who decides if I meet the requirements for Social Security disability benefits?
A. We first will review your application to make sure you meet some basic requirements for Social Security disability benefits, such as whether you worked enough years to qualify. Then we will send your application to the disability determination services office in your state, often called the “DDS” or “state agency.” Your state agency completes the disability decision for us. Doctors and disability specialists in the state agency ask your doctors for information about your condition. They consider all the facts in your case. They use the medical evidence from your doctors and hospitals, clinics or institutions where you have been treated and all other information.
The state agency staff may need more medical information before they can decide if you are disabled. If more information is not available from your current medical sources, the state agency may ask you to go for a special examination. We prefer to ask your own doctor, but sometimes the exam may have to be done by someone else. Social Security will pay for the exam and some of the related travel costs. Learn more about disability benefits at socialsecurity.gov/disability.
Q. Who can get extra help with Medicare prescription drug coverage?
A. Anyone who has Medicare can get Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. If you have limited income and resources, you may be eligible for Extra Help to pay for the costs - monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments - related to a Medicare prescription drug plan. To qualify for Extra Help, you must reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. Your resources must be limited to $12,510 for an individual or $25,010 for a married couple living together. (Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds. We do not count your house and car as resources.) Your annual income must be limited to $16,245 for an individual or $21,855 for a married couple living together.
Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some help. Learn more at socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.
Additional information is available by calling (800) 772-1213 or TTY, (800) 325-0778.
This column was prepared by the Social Security Administration.
Style, Pages 27 on 07/27/2010