Glossary

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D

Deductible:
The amount paid for health care before a health insurance plan begins to pay.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Deportation:
The formal removal of an alien from the United States when the alien has been found removable for violating the immigration laws. Deportation is ordered by an immigration judge without any punishment imposed or contemplated. Prior to April 1997, deportation and exclusion were separate removal procedures. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 consolidated these procedures. After April 1, 1997, aliens in and admitted to the United States may be subject to removal based on deportability.
Source: U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Disability (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services):
For Social Security purposes, the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. Special rules apply for workers aged 55 or older whose disability is based on blindness. The law generally requires that a person be disabled continuously for five months before he or she can qualify for a disabled worker cash benefit. An additional 24 months is necessary to qualify under Medicare.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Disability (Social Security Administration):
To be found disabled, a person must be unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that is expected to result in death or has lasted, or can be expected to last, for a continuous period of 12 months. (The law specifically provides that a person shall not be considered disabled if alcoholism or drug addiction would be a contributing factor material to a determination that he or she is disabled.)

Initial disability determinations are generally made by State Disability Determination Services (DDSs) on the Social Security Administration’s behalf. The DDSs, which are fully funded by the Federal government, are responsible for developing medical and other evidence. In cases where the existing medical evidence is insufficient to render a determination, the DDS will ask a claimant to attend one or more consultative medical examinations at the Social Security Administration’s expense.

When there is evidence that a person is not able to manage or direct the management of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in his or her own best interests, the Social Security Administration will appoint a representative payee to handle the person's benefits. Persons who have been determined legally incompetent are required to have representative payees.
Source: Social Security Administration

Disability Determination Services (DDS):
The Disability Determination Services processes disability claims for benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. DDS makes decisions on disability based on medical criteria, medical, and psychological evidence, vocational criteria, consultative evaluation, and continuing disability review.
Source: Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services

Disability Examiner:
A representative from the Disability Determination Services (DDS) who reviews an application for SSI or SSDI and requests records from doctors, hospitals, schools and other places listed on the application and is a part of the DDS team that determines disability.
Source: Maryland Division of Rehabilitative Services

Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP):
Part of the One-Stop Career Center System, the program provides vocational counseling, case management, assessment, referrals to support services and job development, and act as a liaison with potential employers, training providers and veterans service organizations including the Department of Veterans Affairs. The DVOP representatives work directly with veterans who have service-related disabilities.
Source: Department of Labor

Disabling Impairments:
Social Security maintains a list of impairments for each of the major body systems that are so severe they necessarily mean a person is disabled. If a condition is not on the list, the SSA must decide if it is of equal severity to one on the list. If it is, the individual will be considered disabled.
Source: Social Security Administration

Documents (Proofs):
Forms and papers such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, W2 forms, tax returns, deeds, etc., submitted by individuals applying for benefits and services.
Source: Social Security Administration

Dual Eligibles:
Individuals who are entitled to Medicare and who are also eligible for Medicaid.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services