When I looked into the status of my SSDI claim today, the adjudicator sent me a message saying "We completed our development of your case and it was forwarded to the Regional Office in New York for review. You should receive a determination in 3-4 weeks."

Does anyone know why it would go to the Regional Office for review? Dose this look like good news?

My regional office is Chicago, however if it's the same then yes it looks very good. Supposably SS has to send a percentage of their claims to be reviewed.. however it must be a HUGE percent because I've heard of SEVERAL going there. I was told that 99.9% of the cases sent to regional are approved and all they are doing is making sure the state reviewed it right and did their job....

Thanks dalesgirl,

I just went to check on the SSA website and it said a decision has been made on my claim. I'm nervous since this is my initial application and it's pretty rare that you get approved the first time around.

Please send good vibes my way (fingers crossed).

Actually, close to 40% of claimants are awarded benefits at initial application.

I was told: "your claim has been randomly sampled for a pre-effectuation review by the NY Regional Office for review." "The decision that was proposed by the NJ DDS is not final until the NY Region completes their review of your case." "If for instance your claim receives a favorable decision after review by the NY Regional Office, then the decision will be effectuated by your local Social Security Office."

Does this mean that DDS approved it (I understand that Regional Office has to give approval also)? It went for review yesterday and today a decision was made. Does that mean good or bad?

I called the local SSA rep and she said my folder was en route to her now and she would let me know what the decision is when she gets it.

I can't stand the wait. It's so hard to sit tight.

It's hard to say if it was good or bad... It could be very good however my opinion with SS was to always hope for the best, prepare for the worse. I have to ask.. what is your disability because it is rare that it is done so quickly.

Okay, I've answered my own question by reading this website: http://www.lewin.com/NR/rdonlyres/ejgjxahnbadsef74jiotakkbxdc2sbhlkshxlbdi hsnsq6iyckkp3q255fbul5hlzl7ymcgzbvglko/1325app.pdf

This is very informative for anyone who wants to know about the steps taken in claim processing.

From the website (starting on page 38):

"The DQBs review DDS decisions through two primary mechanisms: the Quality Assurance Review (QAR) and the Pre-Effectuation Review (PER)."

"The QAR sample is a random sample of DDS decisions designed to capture 70 initial allowances and 70 initial denials per quarter for each DDS ..."

"The PER sample is a sample of 50 percent of all Title II and concurrent Title II/XVI initial allowances prior to effectuation of payment."

Since I was told that my claim is in Pre-Effectuation Review (PER), that means that DDS approved it and as long as the decision isn't reversed, I'll be approved. This is very good news to me since I'm sure it must be much easier to keep a favorable DDS decision than to reverse an unfavorable one.

Keep your fingers crossed for me - thanks.

That is very good information, hopefully you will be getting good news very soon!

Just got word last night that my claim was approved. It was my initial application and took only 3 months from application till approval. That should give some people hope that it does happen.

Do you mind me asking what your disability is and your age? So few seem to get it the first time, so just wondering. (I completely understand if you don't want to post this info.)

Chronic near-daily migraine and I'm 36.

Please let me know your results. I filed for diability a couple of years ago but after being turned down twice I had to give up and try to work the best I could, however that hasnt worked out too good. I have fibromyalgia, degenertive disk disease and now vascular disease. I will be having a bypass a week from Monday. Since I am single I have no other income and I think Im gonna try again for it. Since Im only 46 they dont wont to give it to me. But at the rate Im going I wont draw for too long anyway. I really hope things work out for you on this, its so stressful just waiting.

I am 23 yrs old had three back surgeries on my L4/L5 since Jan. 2004 and have degenarative disk disease, stenosis, and pinched nerves on my initial I was denied but in my reconsideration I was approved by DDS but at the moment it is at the regional office for quality assurance so I hope it stays favorable. Also my L2 thru S1 are herniated, suffering deppression, hip arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Just to let you know I applied in Oct of 2003. keep your hopes up and good luck I know how you feel.

I just stopped by the Social Security office today because I hadn't received my letter of approval or denial, and they said it was being reviewed. He told me the decision was YES! But they have to review it before it's in writing and the check arrives. It's my first time applying and i'm excited. It will really help alot. My depression and anxiety are always getting in the way of my life. I also heard that my daughter gets benefits to? Like half of what I get or close to it. I'm not sure if they approved me for mental or me not having my right eye since birth, but hoping they give a thumb's up on the review!