DDS evaluates one’s ability to acquire and use information, attend and complete tasks, interact and relate with others, move and manipulate other objects, ability to care for themself, and one's health and physical well being. A child must mark two of these domains or have an ‘extreme’ limitation in one domain, then the impairment functionally equals the listing. 

Basis for Determining if an Impairment Functionally Equals the Listings

The applicant must meet or medically equal a listing in the listing of impairments provided and used by DDS. If an individual does not meet either of those 2 conditions, DDS will determine if the impairment ‘functionally equals the listings’ which involves a process where DDS will evaluate the impact the impairment has on an individual's ability to function at home, school, in the community, etc. 

Michigan State University

- Step 1: Is the child working?
- Step 2: Does the child have a severe impairment?
- Step 3: Does the child's impairment meet, or medically equal A listing, or functionally equal A the listings?


The Sequential Evaluation Process Steps for Individuals Under 18 

Ordp, O. (n.d.). Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI)-- If You Are Disabled or Blind. Retrieved from https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-disable-ussi.htm#sgact

Supplemental Security Income for People With Disabilities or Blindness

If one is performing SGA the applicant will not be eligible as the agency will not consider them to be disabled. If one does not meet SGA, the case will be referred to DDS for further evaluation. 

The Sequential Evaluation Process Step 1 (Under 18)

DDS will determine if the application has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment. Once determined, DDS will determine if the impairment is what they consider “severe”. If found to have a non-severe impairment as defined by DDS, the applicant will be dismissed. 

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