Disability Adjudication Section (DAS)

DAS provides adjudicators and medical consultants trained especially to provide decisions on disability claims filed in Georgia with Social Security Administration (SSA). Claims may be filed by covered FICA tax payers who are under retirement age when severe medical condition(s) prevent work. The condition may be expected to result in death, or the impairment must preclude work an individual could perform for twelve or more months. Persons who have limited income and resources may file Supplemental Security (SSI) disability claims for consideration by the same medical standards as used for the SSA insured worker. Both programs are available to eligible individuals up to age 65.

Although employees of the DAS are hired by the state RS agency, all of the budget for this function (over $40 million in FY 99), is furnished by the SSA (100% Federally funded). The SSA also provides the rules and regulations which govern the decision making process, and the program appeals process. Appeals include administrative hearings and may extend into the federal courts.

DAS operates from a centralized location in Decatur, but does have a growing community presence with offices in Savannah, Thomasville, and Athens. In FY99, the DAS made over 121,000 claim decisions. Nearly 35% of the claim determinations made were awarded benefits by the DAS, and others were approved on appeals. Each award of a social security disability insurance claim pays an average of $710 monthly to the beneficiary and Medicare coverage after a waiting period. In Georgia, SSI disability provides an average of $355 monthly to each approved disability applicant, and Medicaid (Health) coverage.

If more information about these programs is needed, a local SSA field office should be contacted. SSA offices are in 35 locations in cities and towns around the state. Check your local phone directory. Or, additional information about SSA programs may be found on the SSA Internet address: WWW.ssa.gov; or you may call about your questions to SSA's toll free number: 1-800-772-1213.