The SSA is gradually phasing out its Disability Redesign pilot. The pilot, which is an SSI application process, was introduced as a pilot in Los Angeles West and Los Angeles North SSA offices. These offices accepted applications filed October 1, 1999 or later. The new SSI applications filed by SSI Advocates, which are affected by the test processing, are being served by the following districts: Metro Special, South Special, Rancho Park, Glendale, Southwest Special and South Central.

• New applications filed October 1, 1999 or later are processed under the redesign SSA offices:
  
                  Los Angeles West offices                      Los Angeles North offices
  
  
• DAPD will request a conference (face-to-face or by telephone) with the participant if unable to approve SSI based on information in the SSI claim file. The participant must respond to the conference request within ten days.
  
  
• The SSI Advocate will participate in the pre-decision conference process.
  
  
• The Reconsideration step is eliminated.
  
  
• The first appeal following SSI application denial is the SSI hearing.

• Ensures the participant signs a request for a pre-decision conference. Requests a face-to-face conference for Needs Special Assistance (NSA), homeless and participants with no telephone. Retains the request in the SSI folder until DAPD requests a pre-decision conference or renders a medical decision.
  
  
• Encourages participants to contact their SSI Advocate upon receipt of any correspondence or calls from DAPD and or SSA.
  
  
• Requests a working telephone number or message number from each participant. Encourage homeless participants to maintain regular contact with their SSI Advocate.
  
  
• Identifies and maintains contact with the DAPD disability evaluation analyst early in the SSI application process.
  
  
• Requests, coordinates and attends all pre-decision conferences requested by DAPD. Makes the first preference a face-to-face conference. Mails a confirmation of the pre-decision conference appointment to the DAPD analyst and the participant.
  
  
• Prior to a pre-decision conference, contacts the participant and reviews DAPD's listing of the medical documentation in their SSI claim folder and attempts to identify treatment records not in DAPD's file.