Although Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs, each state manages benefits claims differently. 50 Social Security field offices in Florida handle initial claims, process appeals, and pay benefits. And 6 Disability Determination Services offices throughout the state are set up to determine if your claim meets the medical definition of disability.

Initial claims and reconsideration filings are managed in cooperation between a local Social Security Field Office and Disability Determination Services (DDS) to determine if claimants are eligible for Social Security Disability benefits.

In Florida, 50 Social Security field offices handle initial claims, processing of appeals, and ultimately payment of claims. They send their cases to one of six Disability Determination Services offices in Florida to determine if your claim meets the medical definition of Disability.

Because each of these offices has different methods and wait times, it’s extremely important to hire an experienced Social Security Disability attorney, such as the social security attorneys at RQP Law, who knows what to expect.

Suppose your claim is denied by DDS and your local Social Security Field office and requires a Hearing before an Administrative Law judge. In that case, your claim will be sent to one of eight Hearing Offices in Florida, the Office of Hearing Operations (OHO).

Once your case is sent to a specific OHO, your case will be assigned to an Administrative Law Judge who will schedule you for a hearing where you and your social security disability attorney will be able to present your case, provide testimony, submit evidence, and receive expert testimony from potential job placement experts or medical experts. The judge will then determine if you are considered to be disabled under Social Security’s rules and regulations.