Step 2: The Social Security Administration Reviews Your Medical Records

After you submit your SSDI process, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not make the decision itself. Instead, your process goes to a state agency called Disability information Services (DDS), which is part of your state's government. DDS is responsible for reviewing everything you submitted and deciding whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability.

The first thing DDS does is request your medical records from the doctors, hospitals, and clinics you listed on your process. This can take several weeks. If you saw a mental health provider, physical therapist, or specialist, DDS will ask for those records too. They are looking for documentation that shows what your condition is, when it started, what tests or imaging you have had, and how it affects your ability to work.

You do not need to do anything during this stage, but you can speed things up by contacting your providers yourself and asking them to send your records to DDS. Your process paperwork will include the DDS address and your case number. Giving your doctors this information directly can shorten the waiting time.

Key Takeaways

  • Your state's Disability information Services, not the Social Security Administration, reviews your process and makes the initial decision.
  • DDS will request medical records from every doctor, hospital, and mental health provider you listed, which typically takes several weeks to arrive.
  • You can contact your providers directly and ask them to send records to DDS using your case number to speed up the process.
  • If DDS needs more information about your condition, they may schedule you for a consultative examination with a doctor they choose and pay for.
  • The entire review process usually takes three to six months, though this varies by state and how complete your medical records are.

What DDS Does With Your Medical Records

Once DDS has your medical records, a disability examiner and a medical or psychological consultant review them together. They are checking whether your condition is severe enough to prevent you from doing any kind of work. Social Security has a specific list of conditions that automatically may have access to for disability, but most people do not have a condition on that list. Instead, DDS looks at whether your medical records show you cannot do your past work or any other work available in the economy.

The consultant writes a medical assessment based on your records. This assessment describes what your condition is, what the medical evidence shows, and what your functional limitations are—meaning what you physically or mentally cannot do. The disability examiner then uses this assessment to make the decision about whether you meet Social Security's definition of disability.

When DDS Asks for a Consultative Examination

If your medical records do not contain enough information for DDS to make a decision, they will schedule you for a consultative examination (CE). This is a one-time appointment with a doctor or psychologist that Social Security pays for. You will receive a notice in the mail telling you where and when to go, and the notice will explain what type of examination it is.

You are not required to attend, but if you do not show up without a good reason, DDS may deny your process. If you cannot make the appointment, call the number on the notice and ask to reschedule. The doctor at the CE is not your personal doctor—they work for a company that contracts with Social Security. Their job is to fill in gaps in your medical records, not to advocate for you.

After the examination, the doctor sends a report to DDS. This report becomes part of your file and is used in the decision. You have the right to request a copy of the CE report, though it may take a few weeks to arrive.

How Long Step 2 Takes

The time between submitting your process and receiving a decision varies widely. In most states, the process takes three to six months. Some states move faster; others take longer. The speed depends on how quickly your doctors send in records, whether DDS needs to schedule a consultative examination, and how busy your state's DDS office is.

You can check the status of your process by logging into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov, calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, or visiting your local Social Security office in person. The SSA can tell you whether your records have arrived and whether a decision has been made, but they cannot speed up the process.

What Happens if DDS Needs More Information

Sometimes DDS will contact you directly to ask questions about your work history, your condition, or your daily activities. This might happen by phone or by mail. Answer these questions as completely as you can, because the information goes into your file and affects the decision. If you are unsure about a question, it is better to say so than to guess.

DDS may also contact your past employers to verify your work history and ask what your job duties were. This is routine and does not hurt your case. Your employers are not asked whether they think you are disabled—only what you actually did at work.

Understanding the Medical Standards DDS Uses

Social Security has published guidelines that describe what level of medical evidence is needed to approve SSDI for different conditions. These guidelines are called Blue Book listings. If your condition matches a Blue Book listing exactly, and your medical records prove it, DDS will approve your process. If your condition does not match a listing, DDS will look at whether you can still work despite your limitations.

You do not need to know the Blue Book listings yourself, but you can read them at ssa.gov if you want to understand what Social Security is looking for. Some people find it helpful to review the listing for their condition before submitting their process, so they know what medical evidence matters most.

What You Should Do During Step 2

While DDS is reviewing your process, keep seeing your doctors and following your treatment plan. If you stop treatment, DDS may assume your condition has improved. Continue taking medications as prescribed, attend appointments, and keep records of any new symptoms or changes in your condition.

If you move during this time, contact the SSA right away with your new address. If DDS sends mail to your old address and you do not receive it, you might miss important important date or information about your decision.

Do not contact DDS repeatedly asking for updates. One call to check status is fine, but calling every week will not speed things up and may frustrate the examiner. The SSA phone line can tell you whether a decision has been made without you having to reach DDS directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work while DDS is reviewing my process?

Yes. Working does not automatically disqualify you, but if you earn more than $1,550 per month (the 2024 limit, which changes yearly), Social Security may decide you are able to work and deny your process. If you work part-time or earn less than this amount, report it to the SSA.

What if my doctor will not send my records to DDS?

Contact your doctor's office and explain that you have applied for disability and need your medical records sent to Disability information Services. Provide them with your case number and the DDS address from your process paperwork. If the office still refuses, you can request your records yourself and send them to DDS, or ask DDS to request them directly.

Do I need a lawyer during Step 2?

No. Step 2 is the initial review, and you do not need a lawyer to participate. Many people wait to hire a lawyer until after they receive a denial and decide to appeal. If you do hire a lawyer now, they cannot do anything DDS does not already do—review your medical records and make a decision.

What if I get a job offer while waiting for a decision?

Tell the SSA when ready. If you start working and earn more than the monthly limit, DDS may deny your process based on the assumption that you are able to work. If you earn less than the limit, report it and continue your process.

Can DDS deny my process without a consultative examination?

Yes. If your medical records clearly show you do not meet the medical standard for disability, DDS can deny your process without scheduling an examination. You will receive a written decision explaining why.