FAQ

There is no general form for requesting school records. To obtain school records, contact the specific School District to obtain their request form. 

Yes, we have a number of resources on the SOAR website to help provide information and guidance through the appeals process. They can all be found in the SOAR Library. I recommend starting with the article About Appeals and then checking out the Appeals Toolkit.

Yes, you can find samples of completed SSA forms here.

Yes! SSA will explore eligibility for SSDI for any adult applying for SSI benefits. The application is quick, easy and online. You will complete the SSDI application (called the Online Disability Benefit Application) when you are online completing the Online Adult Disability Report. It comes first in the process and is your way to help set the protective filing date for SSI. The applicant may get a denial letter for SSDI pretty quickly in the process. Do not despair, DDS will still be processing the medical decision and the SSI application will still be pending, despite that denial letter for SSDI.

No, the claimant does not need to present when you turn in the signed SSA-1696. We do recommend submitting an original copy with a "wet-signature." Be sure to keep a copy for your records.

Most states have laws that regulate what health care providers can charge individuals for copies of their medical records. However, these rules do not necessarily apply to providers requesting records. In addition, some states provide an exception for records needed to apply for a disability benefits program and stipulate that they be provided at no-cost. For more information on state statutes and regulations regarding the collection of fees for medical records, click here.

If your state does not require a fee-waiver, we recommend contacting the director of the medical records department and advocating for or negotiating one. Explain that the individual is homeless and that you, as a mutual provider, are unable to pay for the records. Let the director know that the records will be used for a disability application and that, upon approval, the individual will likely be eligible for Medicaid and/or Medicare benefits that will pay for uncompensated care that the provider has given as well as future care that is provided. Therefore, it is in the provider’s best interest for the individual’s application to be well supported and documented as an approval may lead to retroactive and future reimbursements.

In addition, offer to the director of the medical records department that you would be happy to write a letter to the administrator of his/her agency regarding how helpful the director has been as well as the potential financial recoupment that such collaboration will mean to the provider.

If they are unwilling to waive the fees, try contacting United Way or other community action agencies that may be able to pay all or part of the bill.

Yes, you will need to submit the completed SSA-1696: Appointment of Representative form to the local SSA field office. I recommend faxing it and then calling within 1-2 days to confirm that it was received and added to your client's record/claim.

Ask the SSA field office if they completed both an SSDI and SSI application during the phone interview and if they need anything else for the claim to be complete. You can also ask whether they would like you to submit the medical records and MSR directly to them or to wait until the claim gets moved over to DDS for medical review.

I recommend staying in close contact with SSA to find out who the DDS analyst is, especially if you or your client don't receive any mail from DDS within a few weeks.

For applicants that have received SSI prior to incarceration, a new application must be submitted if the applicant was incarcerated for more than 12 months.

You should definitely send all of the medical records. SSA has a rule called the “All Evidence Rule” which requires applicants (through their representative) to submit all medical information known, which includes knowledge of impairment and/or treatment sources. 

• The appeal must be filed within 60 days of receipt of the initial denial notice.
• The applicant must submit the following forms:
  • SSA-561: Request for Reconsideration
  • SSA-3441: Disability Report- Appeal
  • SSA-827: Authorization to Disclose Information to SSA
• Additional medical records and evidence can be submitted
• The application will be assigned to a different disability examiner and reviewing physician at DDS