Disability information Services is the state agency that decides whether you meet Social Security's medical criteria

Disability information Services (DDS) is a state-run office that works under contract with Social Security to review your medical evidence and decide if your condition meets the rules for SSDI or SSI. It is not a separate program you contact directly — Social Security sends your case to DDS after you submit your process. DDS does not make the final decision on your benefits; it makes the medical decision, which Social Security then uses to approve or deny you.

Every state has its own DDS office. When you explore for SSDI or SSI through Social Security, your case is automatically routed to the DDS office in your state. That office assigns a disability examiner and a medical or psychological consultant to review your medical records, work history, and the statements you provided. They determine whether your condition is severe enough and will last long enough to meet Social Security's definition of disability.

The DDS process is where most of the waiting happens in an SSDI process. After Social Security receives your process, it typically takes 30 to 90 days for your case to reach DDS, and then DDS has up to 30 days to make its medical decision. In practice, the full timeline from process to a DDS decision often runs 3 to 6 months, though some cases move faster and others take longer depending on how complete your medical records are.

Key Takeaways

  • DDS is your state's disability office, not a federal agency, and it makes the medical decision on whether your condition meets Social Security's rules.
  • You do not contact DDS directly; Social Security sends your case there after you submit your process.
  • DDS reviews your medical records, work history, and statements to decide if your disability is severe and expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
  • The DDS review typically takes 30 to 60 days once your case arrives, but the full wait from process to DDS decision often reaches 3 to 6 months.
  • If DDS denies you, you can request reconsideration, which sends your case back to DDS with a chance to submit new medical evidence.

How DDS reviews your medical evidence

When DDS receives your case, a disability examiner is assigned to it. That examiner requests your medical records from the doctors, hospitals, and clinics you listed on your process. The examiner also pulls your work history from Social Security's records and reviews any statements you submitted about how your condition affects your daily life and ability to work.

A medical or psychological consultant — a doctor or psychologist hired by DDS — reviews all the medical records and writes a report on whether your condition is severe. "Severe" means it significantly limits your ability to do basic work activities like sitting, standing, lifting, concentrating, or remembering instructions. The consultant also determines whether your condition is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, which is another requirement for SSDI and SSI.

DDS does not order new medical tests or exams. It works only with the records you provide and the records your doctors have already created. If your medical file is incomplete — for example, if you have not seen a doctor in months or if records are missing — DDS will request them from your providers. If records do not arrive within a reasonable time, DDS may make a decision based on what it has, which can result in a denial.

What DDS looks for in your medical records

DDS uses Social Security's medical rules, called the Blue Book, to evaluate your condition. The Blue Book lists specific medical conditions and the test results, symptoms, and treatment history that must be present for each condition to be considered disabling. For example, if you have diabetes, DDS looks for specific lab values and complications. If you have depression, DDS looks for documented symptoms, treatment attempts, and how the condition affects your ability to function.

DDS also considers your age, education, and work history. If you are over 50 and have worked in jobs that required physical labor, DDS may find you disabled even if your medical condition is not as severe as the Blue Book describes, because your age and skills make it harder to transition to other work. Younger applicants face a higher bar because Social Security assumes they have more capacity to retrain.

The consultant writes a detailed report explaining whether your condition meets or does not meet the Blue Book criteria. The disability examiner then uses that report to make the final medical decision. If the decision is to deny you, the report must explain which Blue Book criteria you did not meet and why.

Timeline: when to expect DDS to contact you

After you submit your SSDI or SSI process to Social Security, the process goes to a local Social Security office for initial processing. This step usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. During this time, Social Security verifies your identity, citizenship, and work history, and it requests your medical records from the providers you listed.

Once Social Security has your basic information and has begun gathering records, it sends your case to DDS. This handoff typically happens 30 to 90 days after you explore. You will not receive a notice that your case has moved to DDS, but you can call Social Security to ask whether your case has been sent.

Once DDS has your case, it usually takes 30 to 60 days for the medical review to be completed. However, if records are missing or if your case is complex, DDS may request more time or ask you to attend a consultative exam — a medical appointment arranged and paid for by DDS to fill gaps in your medical evidence. If DDS orders a consultative exam, add 2 to 4 weeks to the timeline.

After DDS completes its review, it sends its decision back to Social Security. Social Security then sends you a notice in the mail. The entire process from process to a DDS decision typically takes 3 to 6 months, though some cases are decided faster and others take longer.

What happens if DDS denies you

If DDS decides your condition does not meet Social Security's rules, you receive a denial notice. The notice explains which criteria you did not meet and gives you the right to request reconsideration. Reconsideration means your case goes back to DDS, usually to a different examiner and consultant, and they review it again with any new medical evidence you can provide.

You have 60 days from the date on your denial notice to request reconsideration. During those 60 days, you should gather any new medical records, test results, or statements from your doctors that show your condition has worsened or that you have received new treatment. The stronger your new evidence, the better your chances at reconsideration.

Reconsideration follows the same timeline as the initial review: 30 to 90 days for your case to reach DDS, then 30 to 60 days for the medical review. If DDS denies you again, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, which is a different process and a different decision-maker.

Why DDS decisions take time

DDS offices handle thousands of cases each month, and medical records can be slow to arrive. Doctors' offices sometimes take weeks to send records, and if a provider does not respond, DDS must follow up. If you have seen many doctors or received treatment at multiple hospitals, gathering all the records takes longer.

Complex cases also take longer. If you have multiple conditions, if your medical history is long, or if the medical evidence does not clearly fit the Blue Book criteria, the consultant may need more time to write the report. Some cases require a consultative exam, which adds weeks to the timeline.

You can speed up the process by providing complete and recent medical records when you explore. If you have seen a doctor within the last 3 months, include those records. If you are currently in treatment, ask your doctor to send the most recent notes and test results directly to Social Security. The more complete your file is when it reaches DDS, the faster the review can be finished.

How to track your case while DDS is reviewing it

You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask whether your case has been sent to DDS and to request an update on the status. Have your Social Security number ready. Social Security can tell you whether your case is still in the local office, has been sent to DDS, or has been returned with a decision.

You can also create an account on my Social Security at ssa.gov to check your process status online. The status will show whether your case is pending, has been sent to DDS, or has a decision. However, the online status does not always update when ready, so calling is sometimes faster if you need current information.

If you have not heard anything 90 days after you applied, call Social Security to confirm your case has reached DDS. If it has not, ask why and whether there are missing records you can provide. If your case has been at DDS for more than 90 days, ask whether a decision is expected soon or whether additional records are being requested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I contact DDS directly to check on my case?

No. DDS does not accept calls from applicants. All communication goes through Social Security. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your case status, and Social Security will tell you whether your case is at DDS and when a decision is expected.

What if DDS asks me to go to a consultative exam?

DDS arranges and pays for the exam if it needs more medical evidence to make a decision. You will receive a notice in the mail with the date, time, and location. The exam is usually with a doctor or psychologist who does not treat you. Attend the exam — missing it can result in a denial. Bring any medical records or medications you have with you.

Does DDS make the final decision on my benefits?

DDS makes the medical decision — whether your condition meets Social Security's rules. Social Security makes the final decision on your case, which includes the medical decision plus other factors like your work history and earnings. If DDS approves you medically, Social Security still must verify you meet the non-medical requirements before you receive benefits.

What if my condition has gotten worse since I applied?

If your condition has worsened or you have received new treatment, send the new medical records to Social Security while your case is still pending. Write your Social Security number on the records and mail them to your local Social Security office. New evidence can be reviewed before DDS makes its decision.

How long does reconsideration take?

Reconsideration follows the same timeline as the initial review: typically 3 to 6 months from the date you request it. You have 60 days from your denial notice to request reconsideration. Submit any new medical evidence with your reconsideration request to give yourself the best chance of approval.