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Reviewing Denial Notices and the Electronic Folder

When you are preparing to appeal a denial of disability benefits, the first thing you should do is request the case file so that you can review key components of the file and decision! 

About the Disability File

  • Understanding SSA’s rationale for denying SSI/SSDI benefits is important when filing an appeal. It is important to assess whether SSA made any errors in the decision or if there is any medical documentation missing from the file. You can help by correcting these issues on appeal.
  • Even if you filed the applicant’s initial application, complete with medical records and other documents, other contents of the disability file are important to review.
  • Applicants and authorized representatives (with a filed SSA-1696) have the authority to obtain relevant application information.

Requesting the Disability File

  • SSA keeps all new disability files in electronic format; paper files are no longer generated.
  • The local SSA field office will provide one CD-ROM copy of the applicant’s file for free if the request is for “program purposes” (e.g., in connection with a claim for benefits).
  • Request the file by faxing a signed SSA-3288: Consent to Release Information to the attention of your local SSA field office. See a sample completed SSA-3288.
Online access to SOAR applicants’ electronic folders or eFolders (EFs) is available for Appointed Representatives (vis à vis SSA-1696) with ALJ hearing and Appeals Council level cases! We strongly encourage you to enroll for online access to your applicant's eFolders. Read more about the benefits of enrollment and its multi-step process.

Opening the CD-ROM

Reviewing the File

Form SSA-831: Disability Determination and Transmittal

  • The SSA-831: Disability Determination and Transmittal is the official disability determination document used by DDS to record the decision.
  • This form is helpful, especially when the denial notice is unclear. The form should contain the name of the DDS disability examiner and the DDS medical consultant who worked on the claim.
  • Most of the information on the form are SSA codes; several key codes are highlighted below
Important SSA Codes
  • Item 19: States that the applicant is not disabled through the date of the determination (or other pertinent dates, such as expiration of insured status)
  • Item 22: Citation to the Sequential Evaluation regulation under which a claim is denied
    • Common denial basis codes:
      • H1 - The individual has a severe impairment(s) but is found not disabled because he/she has the functional and vocational capacity to engage in substantial gainful activity in relevant past work (Step 4)
      • J1 - Ability to do other work (Step 5)
      • K1 - Failure to follow prescribed treatment
      • L1 - Refusal to appear for a consultative exam (CE)
      • M5 - Failure to cooperate in submitting evidence of disability
      • N1 - Engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
      • Z1 - DAA (Drug Addiction and Alcoholism) is material to the determination of disability
  • Item 32B - This includes the specialty code for the doctor who signed the form.

Form SSA-4268: Explanation of Determination

  • The SSA-4268: Explanation of Determination states the “Disability Determination Rationale.” This is the technical rationale the DDS disability adjudicator used to make the disability determination.
  • Although it may contain SSA technical language that is difficult to understand, it is in your best interest to look it over as it contains more detailed information than the personalized explanation rationale included in the denial notice.
  • By reviewing the technical rationale, you can see the step-by-step reasoning that SSA and DDS used to deny the applicant’s claim.
  • See a sample SSA-4268 (PDF)
How to Read Form SSA-4268
  • The technical rationale typically discusses the following:
    • Symptoms and test results
    • Whether the impairment(s) meet the requirements of a listing
    • The applicant’s Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)
    • The exertional level and skills the applicant’s past jobs required
    • Whether the applicant can do past work, given current limitations
    • Whether a medical-vocational rule says that, with vocational factors (age, education, and experience), the applicant should be able to do other work, and if so, what type of other work exists that is suitable.

Resources

Files

Available Files
Attachment Size
Sample SSA-4268: Explanation of Determination 1.03 MB