Some State DDS agencies receive requests from various other agencies within the State
to make disability determinations for claims not related to SSA benefits, claims commonly
known as “Non-SSA Program” claims and primarily involving various categories of nonpayment Medicaid-only cases.
Most of these requests come from State welfare agencies, particularly in States where
the DDS is contained within a parent or “umbrella” agency of the State welfare department. In a few States, the DDS has been asked to
make disability determinations by other agencies, such as those administering teachers'
retirement systems, State employees' retirement systems, and State homestead acts.
The DDS's must ensure that the non-SSA program work does not hamper the ability of
the DDS to fulfill its obligations under SSA regulations. Where such work is assigned
to the DDS, it is to be predicated upon
(1) the recognition and payment of all costs by the State, direct and indirect, in
accordance with State and Federal laws;
(2) assurance to the regional commissioner that no delay in SSA claims will result;
and
(3) assurance to the regional commissioner that the funding and reporting system is
consistent with the guidelines outlined in this section.