DPSS Online

DESCRIPTION

The SSA is gradually phasing out its Disability Redesign pilot. The pilot, which is an SSI application process, was introduced as a pilot in Los Angeles West and Los Angeles North SSA offices. These offices accepted applications filed October 1, 1999 or later. The new SSI applications filed by SSI Advocates, which are affected by the test processing, are being served by the following districts: Metro Special, South Special, Rancho Park, Glendale, Southwest Special and South Central.

The redesign was designed to expedite SSI application processing and to achieve an earlier SSI approval for qualified participants. It eliminated the reconsideration process and introduced a pre-decision conference prior to SSI application denial. In the redesign districts, the first appeal for denied SSI applications is the SSI hearing.

• Six GR districts are affected:




Metro Special	South Special	Rancho Park
Glendale	Southwest Special<	South Central

• New applications filed October 1, 1999 or later are processed under the redesign SSA offices:
  
                  Los Angeles West offices                      Los Angeles North offices
  
  
  
• DDSD, Disability Determination Service Division will request a conference (face-to-face or by telephone) with the participant if unable to approve SSI based on information in the SSI claim file. The participant must respond to the conference request within ten days.


• The SSI Advocate will participate in the pre-decision conference process.


• The Reconsideration step is eliminated.


• The first appeal following SSI application denial is the SSI hearing.

SSI ADVOCATE DUTIES

• Ensures the participant signs a request for a pre-decision conference. Requests a face-to-face conference for Needs Special Assistance (NSA), homeless and participants with no telephone. Retains the request in the SSI folder until DDSD requests a pre-decision conference or renders a medical decision.


• Encourages participants to contact their SSI Advocate upon receipt of any correspondence or calls from DDSD and or SSA.


• Requests a working telephone number or message number from each participant. Encourage homeless participants to maintain regular contact with their SSI Advocate.


• Identifies and maintains contact with the DDSD disability evaluation analyst early in the SSI application process.


• Requests, coordinates and attends all pre-decision conferences requested by DDSD. Makes the first preference a face-to-face conference. Mails a confirmation of the pre-decision conference appointment to the DDSD analyst and the participant.


• Prior to a pre-decision conference, contacts the participant and reviews DDSD's listing of the medical documentation in their SSI claim folder and attempts to identify treatment records not in DDSD's file.

Upon conclusion of the preparation for the pre-decision conference, the outcomes should include:

• Participants understand the importance of contacting their SSI Advocate if contacted by SSA and/or DDSD. Participants will receive a written confirmation of the pre-decision conference.


• Participants understand that participation in a pre-decision conference is required and that failure to comply may adversely affect their General Relief.