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 Disability Quality Review (DQR) evaluates the correctness of claims processed by an adjudicating component on SSA’s behalf.

When DQR conducts a quality review of a claim and finds a deficiency or a need for a technical corrective action (TCA) (for more information, see QR 04440.230 - QR 04440.232 and QR 04440.202 - QR 04440.204), DQR 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 DQR 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.

Generally, DQR assumes jurisdiction for:

• •

  medical assessment form technical corrective actions (TCAs) (see QR 04440.232 for more information)

• •

  regulation basis code TCAs (see QR 04440.231 for more information)

• •

  mental impairment TCAs (see QR 04440.232 for more information)

• •

  second returns (see QR 04440.205 for more information)

When a DQR assumes jurisdiction of a case, the determination becomes a federal determination. In specific situations, a DQR will not assume jurisdiction of a case and will return it to the adjudicating component for correction. DQR cannot assume jurisdiction in the following situations.

When assuming jurisdiction, DQR must:

1. 1. 

   assume jurisdiction in the case processing system and prepare an amended determination

2. 2. 

   obtain form completion from a medical or psychological contractor as appropriate

3. 3. 

   prepare a new notice and rationale, if necessary

4. 4. 

   enter the statement “SSA jurisdiction exercised. This amends the unapproved adjudicating component determination of MM/DD/YY” in item 34 of the SSA-831 for initial and reconsideration cases

5. 5. 

   enter the statement “SSA jurisdiction exercised. This amends the unapproved adjudicating component determination of MM/DD/YY” on the SSA-832 or SSA-833 for a CDR case

6. 6. 

   notify the adjudicating component of the correction via the SSA-847

7. 7. 

   keep the original determination form(s) and rationale(s) in file as part of the audit trail and annotate as “Do Not Process” in the electronic folder

8. 8. 

   annotate the original notice as “Do Not Release” in the electronic folder, if applicable

9. 9. 

   route the case to the field office.