Idaho Disability Determinations Service

You can apply for SSDI at the Social Security Administration’s disability benefits application page.

Check application or appeal status

The Right to Appeal

If the Disability Adjudicator determines that an applicant is not eligible for benefits, an appeal or reconsideration can be requested. This must be done within 60 days of the date on the written notice of the decision. As with the initial application process, this begins by contacting the Social Security Administration in one of these ways:

If you disagree with a decision we made, you may:

• Appeal the decision
• Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
• Visit a local Social Security Office

Please note that an appeal cannot begin by contacting the Disability Determinations Service. Read a summary of the appeals process and procedure. 

When the Social Security Administration receives an appeal request, an effort is made to update information and the claim is reviewed by a different Disability Adjudicator and medical/psychological consultant. If the claim is denied at this point, the applicant may file another appeal to have the case heard by an SSA Administrative Law Judge. If he or she is dissatisfied with the hearing decision, the final administrative appeal is for review by the Appeals Council. If the individual exhausts all administrative appeals, but wishes to continue pursuing the case, he or she may file a civil suit in Federal District Court and eventually appeal all the way to the United States Supreme Court.

You need to call the DDS when:

• You have an updated phone number or a change of address.
• You have seen a new doctor or hospital.
• You have any upcoming medical appointments.
• You begin or return to work.

Make certain that you have proper identification when you make your claim: Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, Driver’s License, etc.

Take time to go over your work history and try to list all your employers for the last five years. Company names, addresses where you worked, supervisors’ names and any documentation on how much you were paid will all be helpful. Please include jobs you worked, skills, tasks, equipment used, certifications, responsibilities and if you supervised other staff. Explain any special working conditions that may have been provided by your employer to keep you on the job.

Write down the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any medical providers you have seen. The DDS may have trouble identifying the right doctor if you only state “Dr. Smith in Pocatello,” so it would be most efficient if you would provide accurate names, addresses and telephone numbers.

Send forms back to SSA and the DDS as quickly as possible. Most of the time it takes DDS to complete a claim is spent waiting on forms and medical reports.

Disability frequently asked questions 

The time it takes to get a decision on your disability application can vary depending on:

• The nature of your disability.
• How quickly we can get your medical evidence
  from your doctor or other medical source.
• Whether it is necessary to send you for a
  medical examination.
• Whether we review your application for quality
  purposes.