The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Form

This is one of the more complex forms that we are often asked to fill out.  It is an eight page double sided questionnaire.  Patients may bring this form in to clinic, or have it mailed directly to you. The form request for complete medical documentation of impairment.  The questionnaire inquires about the patient's medical condition, and also requests the submission of any medical records that document objective evidence of the condition.

Here is a few helpful tips to filling out this form:

  1. Given the complexity of the form, unless you are not busy in clinic, do not attempt to fill this form out while seeing patients.  Ask the patient to see if he/she is okay with you mailing back the form to NY State (an address is always provided on the form), or if he/she would like to come and pick up the form in one week.
  2. If you are mailing this out, make sure that the patient has signed the consent form of medical information release (last page), prior to filling out the form.
  3. "You may reply directly on the questionnaire, submit a copy of your records, or provide a report on your letterhead, whichever is most convenient. If you prefer to use our toll free dictation service, please call any time, day or night: 1800-250-1996".   This is directly quoted from the instructions. This means you do not need to go through all 8 pages to answer every question. You may simply provide a summary of the patient's medical condition and any known impairment (to you).
  4. If you do not know, you DO NOT need to provide a medical opinion about the patient's work limitations ( lift carry, duration sitting, push/pull etc..)  Just check the box on the bottom "I cannot provide a medical opinion regarding this individual's ability to do work-related activities.
  5. for more info read their website www.OTDA.State.NY.US/DDD