Utah DDS Advisory Council Overview

Utah DDS Advisory Council

P.O. Box 144032
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4032

Phone: (801) 321-6503 to leave message

Legal Basis

Legal basis for the Disability Determination Services Advisory Council is Section 53-A-15-205 Utah Code Annotated (1953 as amended).

Purpose

The overall purpose of the Disability Determination Services Advisory Council (the “Council”) is to advise the Utah State Board of Education for Applied Technological Education regarding the Division of Disability Determination Services (DDDS). Specific functions of the Advisory Council as provided in the law include:

1. Advise DDDS and the Social Security Administration regarding its practices and policies on the determination of claims for Social Security Disability benefits.

2. Participate in the development of new internal practices and procedures of DDDS and of the policies of the Social Security Administration regarding the evaluation of disability claims.

3. Recommend changes to practices and policies to insure that DDDS is responsive to individuals with disabilities.

4. Review the DDDS budget to ensure that it is adequate to effectively evaluate disability claims and to meet the needs of persons with disabilities who have claims pending with DDDS.

5. Review and recommend changes to policies and practices of allied state and federal agencies, health care providers, and private community organizations.

6. The Disability Determination Services Advisory Council will provide an annual report each year covering July- - June 31. the statutory requirement is in the law: 53A-15-205. The council shall submit an annual report to the board, the governor, and the Legislative Health and Human Service Interim Committee regarding its activities.

Membership

Members of the Disability Determination Services Advisory Council to the State Board of Applied Technology Education shall be composed of the following members:

4. The Administrator of the DDDS.

5. A representative of the United States Social Security Administration, appointed by the State Board of Applied Technology Education (“The Board”).

6. Nine persons, appointed by the Board who represent a cross-section of:

   1. Persons with disabilities

   2. Advocates for persons with disabilities

   3. Health care providers

   4. Representatives of allied state and local agencies

   5. Representatives of the general public

7. Four alternates, appointed by the Board, who shall also represent a cross-section of those described in 3(a) – (e) above. Appointment of an alternate to the Council will occur upon the realization of a vacancy in the Council membership. Appointment shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term of the vacated member.

The members appointed under subsections (1) and (2) above serve as non-voting members of the Council.