Following is information on the Social Security Disability Program:

Table of Contents

Social Security Handbook

Social Security Disability Publications, Information, and Forms

Disability Notes

Welfare Reform and Childhood Disability

Professional Relations Programs

Employment Support Programs

Functional Work Disability Measures

Congressional Testimony on Social Security Disability and other Issues

SSA Comments on HHS' Proposed Standards on the Privacy of Health Information

Social Security Handbook

• The 1997 Social Security Handbook, 13th Edition summarizes information about the Social Security Retirement, Survivors, Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Health Insurance, and Black Lung Programs. The handbook includes a Preface, Table of Contents, and an Index.

• Chapter 5, Cash Disability Benefits and Related Disability Protection, provides information on the seven types of disability protection included in the disability provisions of the Social Security Act and the factors of entitlement.

• Chapter 6, Factors in Evaluating Disability, explains generally how the terms and requirements in Chapter 5 pertain to evaluating disability and what evidence is needed to make such a determination.

Social Security Disability Publications, Information, and Forms

NOTE: In order to view and print any files that are in Portable Document Format (PDF), you will need to download and install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader® on your PC, if you do not already have it.

• Disability ( 5/96; SSA Publication No. 05-10029) is a booklet that provides a general overview of the Social Security disability program. It is available here in these formats: (click here for an explanation of the formats). (.pdf) -- (.ps) -- (.txt)

• Disability Evaluation Under Social Security ("The Blue Book") (1/98; SSA Publication No. 64-039) contains the medical criteria that SSA uses to determine disability. It is intended primarily for physicians and other health professionals.

  NOTE:This 205-page book can be obtained free of charge by faxing a request to SSA at:

  Fax Number (410) 965-0696

  Or, you can send a written request for it to:
  
  Social Security Administration
  Public Information Distribution Center
  P.O. Box 17743
  Baltimore, MD 21235-6401

  The phone number for the PIDC is (410) 965-0945

• On October 1, 1998, SSA implemented revisions to three of its disability interview forms, which Social Security field offices use in combination with applications for disability benefits. Factsheets on the revised forms are available in English and Spanish:

  Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Revised Disability Interview Forms.

  Formularios Revisados Para Entrevista de Incapacidad del Seguro Social y Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario.

• Supplemental instructions for Social Security field personnel on the administration of SSA Plans for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) for Blind or Disabled People are available for download (206KB) in text format. The original program instructions on administering the PASS provision are also available for download in ASCII text format (140KB). On December 1, 1997, SSA made a number of changes to improve PASS policies, procedures, applications, and reviews.

• A factsheet on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), provides guidelines on the information needed to evaluate claims filed by individuals with CFS.

• Social Security: What You Need To Know When You Get Disability Benefits (6/96; Pub. No. 05-10153) (.html). (.pdf) -- (.ps) -- (.txt)

• Social Security Disability Programs (5/96; Pub. No. 05-10057) (.html). (.txt)

• Social Security: If You Are Blind How We Can Help (6/96; Pub. No. 05-10052) (.html). (.pdf) -- (.ps) -- (.txt)

• 2000 SGA Amount for the Blind.

• A Guide to Social Security and SSI Disability Benefits for People With HIV Infection (6/95; Pub. No. 05-10020) (.html). (.pdf) -- (.ps) -- (.txt)

• How We Decide If You Are Still Disabled (4/96; Pub. No. 05-10053) (.html). (.pdf) -- (.ps) -- (.txt)

• How Social Security Can Help with Vocational Rehabilitation (9/94; Pub. No. 05-10050) (.html). (.txt)

• Receiving Your Benefits by Direct Deposit (8/96) (.html). (.pdf) -- (.ps) -- (.txt)

• Working While Disabled...How We Can Help (1/96; Pub. No. 05-10095) (.html). (.pdf)

• Work Incentives for People with Disabilities ("The Red Book") (11/99; Pub. No. 64-030) (.html) (.pdf)

• Other Social Security Program Publications.

Functional Work Disability Measures

• As part of a contract with the Social Security Administration, a group of sub-contractors are looking at functional work disability measures. Because this process can be guided by current functional assessment practitioners, we are seeking professionals to recommend appropriate functional assessment measures. If your are a professional who wishes to participate in this survey, click here for more information.

To file a claim for Social Security benefits or to obtain more information or assistance, contact your local Social Security Office; or call Social Security's toll-free number:

1-800-772-1213

In addition, SSA's TTY number for the hearing impaired is:

1-800-325-0778

Or, more information is available here on how to contact the Social Security Administration.

Prepared by: Stuart N. Teeters, SSA, OD