Who doesn’t love a good acronym? It seems like every day, a new acronym is being introduced to the public: from FYI and IDK to FBI and CIA, acronyms are a quick and shorter way to communicate commonly used phrases.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is not exempt from using acronyms {see what we did there?} 😊. Matter of fact, the list of popular acronyms they use continues to grow…and confuse. As if filing for SSD benefits is not confusing enough, throw in new abbreviations…it can make your head spin.
Let us look at commonly used acronyms related to Social Security Disability (SSD) and the application process.
SSI CORE PROGRAMS AND TERMS
- SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance
- SSI: Supplemental Security Income
- SSA: Social Security Administration
- SSD: Social Security Disability
- DIB: Disability Insurance Benefits
APPLICATION AND DETERMINATION PROCESS
- DDS: Disability Determination Services. State-run DDS handles the review of your claim at the state level. The DDS examiners look at your medical records, work history, and general activities to determine if your condition makes you eligible for SSD benefits.
- ALJ: Administrative Law Judge. This individual hears an appeal at the hearing level, after a second denial, to determine if your SSD claim qualifies for approval.
- CDR: Continuing Disability Review. The SSA conducts these periodic reviews to see if you have any improvements in your medical condition and to determine if you are still eligible for SSD benefits.
- EOD: Established Onset of Disability. The official date the SSA determines a claimant first met the strict definition of disability, affecting backpay and benefit amounts.
- SGA: Substantial Gainful Activity. Any activity performed for monetary gain. To receive SSD benefits, you must earn under the SGA annually.
- DLI: Date Last Insured. The crucial expiration date of your SSD coverage, occurring five years after you stop working.
- VE: Vocational Expert. A VE answers questions from Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) regarding whether a person with specific limitations can work.
BENEFITS AND ELIGIBILITY
- FBR: Federal Benefit Rate. The amount of money the Federal government provides for supplemental security income recipients.
- PDB: Past Due Benefits. Commonly known as backpay, PDB are accumulated cash payments owed by the SSA for a period between a claimant’s disability onset date and the date of approval.
- TWP: Trial Work Period. This is a work incentive for SSD beneficiaries to test their ability to work for at least 9 months—not necessarily consecutive—within a rolling 5-year (60-month) period.
- EPE: Extended Period of Eligibility. A 36-month safety net for SSD beneficiaries that begins immediately after the 9-month TWP ends.
- BWE: Blind Work Expense. An SSA work incentive for people receiving SSD benefits due to blindness. This allows them to deduct certain out-of-pocket work-related costs from their earnings, which can increase their SSI payment.
- SSDAC: Social Security Disabled Adult Child. An individual 18 years or older who has a disability that began before age 22.
Here are a few more that you may not hear as often, but that are important:
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL): This is a list of the basic activities that most people must engage in as a requirement of daily living. Some of these include personal care (i.e., bathing), preparing meals, shopping, and participating in activities. This list can help determine how your condition has affected you daily.
- Compassionate Allowances List (CAL): This lists serious medical conditions or diseases that qualify for fast-track SSD approval and new conditions are added yearly to help more people with disabilities.
- Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): This annual adjustment to your SSD benefit takes place every January and is to help keep up with the rising prices of goods and services due to inflation.
As you can see, there are MANY parts to the disability process. While it is possible to handle your own disability claim, why wouldn’t you want representation from an experienced team of disability lawyers? Did you know that utilizing a disability attorney can increase your chances of being approved for benefits by up to 33%? Who wouldn’t want the helping hand of an experienced disability attorney on your side?
Contact the legal team at Parmele Disability Advocates to schedule your no-cost consultation: 866-547-4290. Together, we will review your situation, answer your questions, and help determine the next best steps.
Parmele Disability Advocates. Helping you get the benefits you deserve.