Although Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs, each state manages benefits claims differently. 37 Social Security field offices in North Carolina handle initial claims, process appeals, and pay benefits. A separate Disability Determination Services office is 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 North Carolina, 37 Social Security field offices handle initial claims, processing of appeals, and, ultimately, payment of claims. They send their cases to the Disability Determination Services office in Raleigh, NC, 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 know 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 three Hearing Offices in North Carolina, called 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 can 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.