IR refers to the process by which a hearing office returns a claim to DDS for review
of the previous determination. The actual procedure that DDS undertakes, once it receives
the claim from a hearing office is called a “pre-hearing review.” Cases selected for
IR are initial claims in which there is a strong likelihood for a reversal of either
the initial or reconsideration determination. The DDS decides whether to revise the
determination.
The DDS can only process an IR if they are able to make a fully favorable determination on the revised case after they conduct a pre-hearing review. If the revised determination is only partially favorable, the DDS must return the
case to the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR), where the hearing
process continues.
NOTE: The pre-hearing case review will not delay the scheduled hearing unless the claimant
agrees in writing to continue the review and delay the hearing.