Your process Is Now With Social Security

After you submit your SSDI process — whether online, by mail, or in person at your local Social Security office — your case moves into the review stage. This is Step 2 of the three-step SSDI process. Social Security does not make a decision when ready. Instead, they send your file to your state's Disability information Services (DDS) office, which is a separate agency that examines medical evidence and decides whether you meet the definition of disability under federal law.

You will receive a notice in the mail confirming that Social Security received your process. This notice includes your case number and the name and phone number of your local Social Security office. Keep this number — you will need it if you have questions or need to send additional documents.

The DDS office will begin requesting your medical records from doctors, hospitals, and clinics you listed on your process. This process can take several weeks. Social Security may also ask you to attend a consultative examination (CE) — a medical appointment they arrange and pay for — if they need more current information about your condition.

Key Takeaways

  • Your process goes to your state's Disability information Services office, not directly to a Social Security decision-maker.
  • DDS will request medical records from all providers you listed, and this gathering phase typically takes four to eight weeks.
  • Social Security may schedule a consultative examination at no cost to you if your medical records are incomplete or outdated.
  • You can check the status of your case by calling Social Security using your case number, but the office cannot speed up the review.
  • The entire Step 2 review period usually lasts three to six months, though some cases take longer if medical records are hard to obtain.

What Happens to Your Medical Records

The DDS office sends requests to every doctor, hospital, mental health provider, and clinic you listed on your process. They ask for records from the past several years, focusing on the period when your condition became disabling. If you saw a provider who is no longer in practice or whose records are archived, this step can add weeks to the timeline.

You can speed this up by gathering your own medical records and sending them directly to DDS. Call your local Social Security office with your case number and ask for the DDS office address in your state. Then contact your providers and request copies of records dated from one year before your alleged onset date (the date you say your disability began) through the present. Bring or mail these records to DDS with a cover letter that includes your name, date of birth, and case number.

If a provider charges a copying fee, Social Security will reimburse you. Ask the provider to send the bill to DDS along with the records, or keep your receipt and submit it with your case number.

The Consultative Examination and What to Expect

If DDS determines that your medical records do not contain enough information to make a decision, they will schedule a consultative examination (CE). Social Security pays for this appointment and chooses the doctor. The CE is not a second opinion on your diagnosis — it is a focused exam to gather specific medical facts that are missing from your file.

You will receive a notice in the mail with the date, time, and location of the CE, usually four to six weeks before the appointment. The notice tells you what to bring (typically your ID and insurance card) and what the exam will cover. Attend the appointment. If you cannot make the scheduled date, call the number on the notice and ask to reschedule — missing the appointment without rescheduling can result in a denial.

The doctor who performs the CE will examine you, ask questions about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life and work, and may order lab tests or imaging. This exam typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes. The doctor sends a report back to DDS. You do not receive a copy automatically, but you can request one by calling Social Security with your case number.

How Long Step 2 Takes

The review period — from the day DDS receives your file to the day they mail a decision — usually takes three to six months. The timeline depends on how quickly your medical providers send records, whether a consultative examination is needed, and how busy the DDS office is in your state.

Some cases move faster. If your medical records are complete and clearly show that you cannot work, DDS may decide within eight to ten weeks. Other cases take longer. If records are scattered across multiple providers, if a provider does not respond quickly, or if DDS schedules a CE and the doctor's report takes time to arrive, the review can stretch to nine months or longer.

You cannot speed up the DDS review by calling or visiting Social Security. The local office can tell you whether your file has been received and whether a decision has been made, but they cannot influence the timeline. If your case has been pending for more than six months and you have not heard anything, call your local Social Security office and ask whether DDS has requested all necessary records. If records are still outstanding, you can contact the providers directly and ask them to send copies to DDS.

What You Should Do During Step 2

Continue to see your doctors and keep all medical appointments. DDS reviews your medical records up to the date they make a decision, so ongoing treatment strengthens your case. If you start a new treatment, medication, or therapy, make sure your provider documents it in your medical record.

Keep your contact information current with Social Security. If you move, change your phone number, or change your mailing address, call your local Social Security office and update your file. A missed notice because your address is wrong can delay your case.

Do not contact DDS directly. All communication goes through your local Social Security office. If you have questions about your case, call Social Security with your case number. If you want to send additional medical records or other documents, mail them to your local Social Security office with your name, date of birth, and case number on each page.

Understanding the Medical Standards DDS Uses

DDS does not decide whether you are disabled based on your diagnosis alone. Instead, they compare your medical condition and its effects against the Social Security Listing of Impairments — a detailed set of medical criteria for each major condition. To be found disabled, your condition must either meet or medically equal one of these listings.

For example, if you have arthritis, DDS does not approve your case just because you have the diagnosis. They examine whether your arthritis limits your ability to use your hands, walk, or perform other functions to the degree specified in the listing for joint dysfunction. If your medical records show that you cannot perform these functions at the level required by the listing, you meet it. If your condition is severe but does not quite meet the listing, DDS may still find you disabled if they determine you cannot do any work that exists in the national economy — this is called a medical-vocational allowance.

You do not need to understand the listings yourself. DDS applies them to your records. However, if you want to read the listing that applies to your condition, you can find them on the Social Security website under "Blue Book" listings.

What Happens Next: Preparing for Step 3

At the end of Step 2, DDS mails you a decision letter. The letter states whether you have been approved or denied. If you are approved, the letter explains when your benefits begin and how much you will receive. If you are denied, the letter explains the reason and tells you how to request reconsideration — which is Step 3.

Most first-time applicants are denied. This does not mean your case is over. You have the right to request reconsideration, and many people are approved on reconsideration or at a hearing. The decision letter includes a important date for requesting reconsideration, usually 60 days from the date on the letter. If you miss this important date, you can still appeal, but you will need to show good cause for the delay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while my process is being reviewed?

Yes. Working does not hurt your case during Step 2. However, if you earn more than $1,550 per month (the 2024 limit; this amount changes yearly), Social Security may use your work activity as evidence that you can work. Keep records of your work and any limitations you experience, and report significant work activity to Social Security when asked.

What if I cannot find one of my doctors or their records are lost?

Tell Social Security in writing. Include the doctor's name, the dates you saw them, and why the records are unavailable. DDS will make a decision based on the records they can obtain. If your case is denied partly because records are missing, you can request reconsideration and submit the records later.

Do I have to attend the consultative examination?

Yes. The CE is part of the review process. If you do not attend without rescheduling, DDS may deny your case. If you have a legitimate reason you cannot attend (severe illness, hospitalization), call the number on the notice when ready and explain. DDS can reschedule or, in rare cases, proceed without the exam if your records are sufficient.

Will Social Security contact my employer?

Not during Step 2. DDS focuses on medical evidence. However, if your case reaches a hearing (Step 3), a judge may ask about your work history and current work activity. Social Security does not contact employers to verify disability.

What if I get better during the review?

Tell Social Security when ready. If your condition improves significantly and you can return to work, your case may be denied or closed. However, if you improve temporarily but your condition is likely to return, report this to Social Security as well — it may affect the decision but does not automatically end your case.