The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses regulations and sub-regulatory guidelines
to implement disability programs established by Congress in the Social Security Act
(Act). The Act also provides State agencies the authority to make disability determinations
following SSA’s regulations and the Commissioner the authority to review these determinations.
It is with this reviewing authority that the Office of Quality Review (OQR) evaluates
the correctness of claims processed by an adjudicating component on SSA’s behalf.
When OQR conducts a quality review of a claim and finds a deficiency or a need for
a technical corrective action (TCA) (for more information, see GN 04440.230 - GN 04440.232 and GN 04440.202 - GN 04440.204), the review component either makes the correction, returns the case to the adjudicating
component for correction or assumes jurisdiction of the claim and makes the needed
correction.
When the review component assumes jurisdiction of a claim, they assume responsibility
for the determination, complete all necessary corrective action(s), and prepare a
new disability determination.
Assuming jurisdiction provides claimants and beneficiaries with timely action on their
claim and expedites payment of any benefits due.