The DDSs, which are fully funded by the Federal Government, are State agencies responsible for developing medical evidence and making the initial determination on whether or not a claimant is disabled or blind under the law.

Usually, the DDS tries to obtain evidence from the claimant's own medical sources first. If that evidence is unavailable or insufficient to make a determination, the DDS will arrange for a consultative examination (CE) to obtain the additional information needed. The claimant's treating source is the preferred source for the CE, but the DDS may obtain the CE from an independent source. After completing its development of the evidence, trained staff at the DDS makes the initial disability determination.

I think the lower panel may be a square of ply or other material that has been fixed on to strengthen the door. If ply, it is liable to delaminate starting at the edges if damp gets at it.

The field office is responsible for verifying non-medical eligibility requirements, which may include age, employment, marital status, or Social Security coverage information. The field office then sends the case to a DDS for evaluation of disability.

Most Social Security disability claims are initially processed through a network of local Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices and State agencies (usually called Disability Determination Services or DDSs). Subsequent appeals of unfavorable determinations may be decided in a DDS or by an administrative law judge in SSA's Office of Disability Adjudication and Review.

Then, the DDS returns the case to the field office for appropriate action. If the DDS found that the claimant is disabled, SSA completes any outstanding non-disability development, computes the benefit amount, and begins paying benefits. If the claimant was found not to be disabled, the file is kept in the field office in case the claimant decides to appeal the determination.

If replacing isn't an option, you can either (cautiously) use a heat gun - there's a risk that the wood could ignite or the glass crack, though, or give it a bloody good rub down (wear mask and goggles), prime it and add your own contribution to the 14 layers of paint likely to already be on it.

Agree that bottom panel almost definitely covers a glazed panel. Door looks like it's from the 50 or 60s, with that glass and probably not very secure.

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Haha, thanks, old owners had left a tin of bitumen and they weren't fussy about what they used so I thought they might have used that! Yeah it's a panel, all inside doors also had them which I've taken off. The doors a bit knackered to be honest but I wanted to tidy it up until we can afford a new one, I'll give it a measure first and price some up. Cheers

We have an old wooden front door which has been painted in bitamen tar paint (I'm guessing as a time in the shed left from previous family), want to repaint the door...what's the beat way to do this?

Social Security representatives in the field offices usually obtain applications for disability benefits in person, by telephone, by mail, or by filing online. The application and related forms ask for a description of the claimant's impairment(s), treatment sources, and other information that relates to the alleged disability. (The "claimant" is the person who is requesting disability benefits.)