Hey, I got a response!

This is in reply to your email to Governor McDonnell indicating the difficulties that you are experiencing with your application for disability benefits.



I contacted Ms. Gale Pierce, a specialist with the Disability Determination Services (DDS). The DDS is a part of the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, which is state administered and works with the Social Security Administration (federally funded) in processing applications for disability benefits filed by the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia.



Your email expressed your concern of deteriorating health issues, financial stress, and having to resubmit an application because the initial claim was lost in the system. Ms. Pierce contacted the Regional Director and was informed that the DDS office received your claim on January 20, 2010, and it was assigned to an analyst. Case development activities have been completed and the analyst is waiting for some medical evidence. The Regional Director will give your claim appropriate consideration to expedite the process.



I also encourage you to contact 2-1-1 VIRGINIA, an information and referral service that provides information about a variety of programs and services in your area that may be helpful. This service is quick, free and confidential. You may access this service by simply dialing 2-1-1 on your telephone or visiting the website at www.211virginia.org. Though most of these programs have income limits, they are sometimes able to look at a person’s situation with regard to actual expenses and offer at least some limited assistance.



Thank you for writing and sharing with your concerns, I hope that this information is helpful to you.



William A. Hazel, Jr., MD

Secretary of Health and Human Resources

1111 East Broad Street

Richmond, Virginia 23219