HOW TO CONTACT SOCIAL SECURITY
1-800-772-1213 Hours of Operation 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday
NOTE: If you are interested in
receiving a copy of "Disability Evaluation Under Social Security," contact the Medical Relations Office at 1-800-282-7485. (This publication contains the medical criteria used in disability determinations nationwide.)
HELPFUL WEBSITES
http://www.ssa.gov/ and
www.dol.state.ga.us
Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary Aids & Services are Available Upon
Request to Individuals With Disabilities

PUZZLED
ABOUT HOW TO RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR MEDICAL
RECORDS RE: SOCIAL SECURITY
DISABILITY?
Georgia Department of Labor Michael L. Thurmond, Commissioner

Program Description:
Two programs that provide disability benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Title II provides for payment of disability benefits to individuals who are "insured" under the Act by virtue of their contributions to the Social Security Trust Fund through the FICA tax on their earnings, as well as to certain disabled dependents of insured individuals. This Title II benefit is know as SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). Title XVI provides for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) payments to individuals including children under age 18, who are disabled and have limited income and resources.
Definition of Disability:
For all individuals applying for disability benefits under Title II and for adults under Title XVI, the definition of disability is the same. The law defines disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
Under Title XVI, the definition of disability for children under the age of 18 is slightly different from the definition of disability for adults. For a child to be found disabled she/he must have a mental or physical condition(s) that results in marked and

severe functional limitations which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. The child must also not be working. at a job that SSA would consider to be substantial work. The Disability Determination Process:
Most disability claims are initially processed through local Social Security field offices. The field office is responsible for verifying non-medical eligibility requirements, which may include age, employment, marital status, or Social Security coverage information. The field office sends the case to the Disability Adjudication Services (DAS) for evaluation of disability.
Each person who files a claim for disability under Social Security must submit a sufficient amount of medical evidence to support the claim. This medical evidence is provided by the sources who have treated or evaluated the claimant for his/her impairment(s).
The treating source is usually the best source of medical evidence about the nature and severity of an individual's impairment(s). The treating source is neither asked nor expected to make a decision whether the claimant is disabled. The treating source is asked, however, to provide a medical source statement describing the individual's ability to perform work-related activities.

HOW TO BE ON TARGET WHEN REPLYING TO DAS REQUESTS FOR MEDICAL EVIDENCE OF RECORD (MER)
Medical evidence of record (MER) is the objective medical findings in the form of reports by the claimant's treating source(s).
Please include symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings that will establish that the claimant has a medically determinable impairment.
Specifically, please include the following:
1. Medical history;
2. Clinical findings (i.e. results of physical or mental exam);
3. Laboratory findings and/or other special studies;
4. Diagnosis (must be based on signs and symptoms);
5. Treatment prescribed, with response and prognosis; and
6. Medical Source Statement - based on your own medical findings.

INFORMATION NEEDED IN MEDICAL SOURCE STATEMENT:
A. Describe physical limitation as follows: ability to stand, lift, sit, carry, walk, handle objects, hear, speak, and travel.
B. Describe mental limitation as follow: capacity for understanding and memory; sustained concentration and persistence; social interaction; and adaptation.
SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF MEDICAL EVIDENCE OF RECORD
Currently, more than half of all disability claims are decided solely based on the MER from treating sources. This is very much to your patient's advantage for the following reasons:
A. The claim is accelerated;
B. The need to purchase consults is greatly reduced or eliminated; and
C. TAX MONEY IS SAVED.

CONTACT PERSONNEL:
Medical Relations Office P. O. Box 57 Stone Mountain, Ga. 30086-9902 Toll Free: 1-800-282-7485 FAX: 678-476-7371 FAX Toll Free: 1-800-359-6748
Bruce Johnston Manager Phone: 678-476-7368 Toll Free: 1-800-282-7485 Ext. 7368 bruce.johnston@ssa.gov
Faye Miller Medical Relations Officer Phone: 678-476-7375 Toll Free: 1-800-282-7485 Ext. 7375 faye.miller@ssa.gov
Charles Rodgers Medical Relations Officer Phone: 678-476-7376 Toll Free: 1-800-282-7485 Ext. 7376 charlie.rodgers@ssa.gov
Stacia Walker Medical Relations Officer Phone: 678-476-7374 Toll Free: 1-800-282-7485 Ext. 7374 stacia.walker@ssa.gov

You may notify Disability Adjudication Services of changes by completing the section below and mailing to the following address: Medical Relations Office P. O. Box 57 Stone Mountain, Ga. 30086-9902 Name of Medical Evidence Provider:
Current Mailing Address:
Address to Forward Payment to:
Current Federal ID#
Current Pay Name (Must be pay name for federal ID)
Phone No.
FAX No.