Most people who apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will be contacted by a disability examiner at some point after filing their initial application, although they won’t necessarily receive a phone call.

Disability examiners decide SSD and SSI cases for the state disability determination services (DDS) agency, and will most likely require additional information other than that provided on the application before rendering a decision on a case.

Sometimes a disability examiner will call or write for information that applicants do not include in their medical and work histories, such as correct contact information for treating physicians, or employers, or the dates of medical treatment or employment.

In addition, applicants often receive a phone call, or a questionnaire in the mail, from a disability examiner to determine their residual functional capacity (RFC). Residual functional capacity includes all work activities, such as sitting or standing for periods of time, lifting, or the ability to concentrate or perform other mental tasks; as well as routine daily activities, such as shopping, driving, climbing stairs, house cleaning or yard work, etc., that the applicant can or cannot perform.

In most instances, a third party Activities of Daily Living questionnaire will also be needed before a disability examiner can approve a claim. Third party questionnaires are sent to someone chosen by the disability applicant to get an outside observer’s opinion on the applicant’s medical condition, and how it has changed his or her ability to function at work or at home.

For those who have not received “recent” medical treatment for their condition, a disability examiner will usually call to schedule a consultative exam (CE), frequently referred to as a Social Security medical exam. Social Security defines “recent” as within the past three months, although an examiner can schedule a CE any time he or she feels more information is needed to determine if the applicant is currently disabled.

Disability applicants should be sure that their correct address and phone number is available to the social security disability examiner, and inform the local social security office immediately if that information changes.

Failing to keep an open line of communication with the disability examiner deciding your claim could result in a denial based not on your medical condition but on the examiner’s inability to get the information needed to make a decision.

The maximum amount of earnings that is subject to the Social Security tax is $128,400 in 2018, up from $127,200 in 2017. There is no limit to the amount of income subject to the Medicare tax.

The Social Security figures and limits for 2017 can be found in the 2017 update.

Effective date: Jan 01, 2018

If you need proof you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security (SSI) Income, or Medicare, you can get a benefit verification letter online by using your personal my Social Security account. This letter is sometimes called a “budget letter,” “benefits letter,” “proof of income letter,” or “proof of award letter.” Organizations may request this letter from you if you apply for state or local benefits, a mortgage, assisted housing, or a loan.

You can also get proof that you have never received Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income, or proof that you have applied for benefits.

To get any of these kinds of benefit verification letters, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

If you can’t or don’t want to use their online account, or you need a letter for a dependent, you can call at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.