Step 3 is when the Social Security Administration reviews your medical records to decide whether your condition meets their definition of disability

After you submit your process and Social Security processes your work history in Steps 1 and 2, a Disability information Services (DDS) office in your state takes over your case. Step 3 is the medical review — the moment when a team of doctors and disability examiners looks at the evidence you provided and decides whether your condition is severe enough to prevent you from working.

This step does not happen on a fixed timeline. Some cases move through in a few weeks; others take several months. The DDS office is not required to contact you during this phase unless they need more information. You will not hear back until they reach a decision.

Understanding what happens during Step 3 helps you know what to expect and what you can do if the decision goes against you.

Key Takeaways

  • A state Disability information Services office, not Social Security directly, reviews your medical records and decides whether your condition meets the definition of disability.
  • The DDS may request additional medical records from your doctors, and you can submit new evidence at any time during this step.
  • The medical review focuses on whether your condition is severe and expected to last at least 12 months or result in death — not on your age, education, or work history.
  • If the DDS denies your claim, you have the right to request reconsideration, which sends your case to a different examiner for a fresh review.
  • The entire Step 3 process typically takes 30 to 90 days, though some cases take longer if additional medical evidence is needed.

Who Reviews Your Medical Evidence and How

Your case is assigned to a disability examiner at the DDS office in your state. This examiner is not a doctor but is trained to understand medical evidence and Social Security's disability rules. The examiner works with a medical consultant — a physician or psychologist employed by the DDS — who reviews your medical records and provides an opinion on whether your condition is disabling.

The examiner and medical consultant look at every piece of medical evidence you submitted: doctor's notes, test results, hospital records, mental health evaluations, imaging reports, and any other documentation. They are looking for objective medical findings — things a doctor can measure or observe — that support your claim. They also consider your own statements about your symptoms and limitations, but medical records carry more weight.

The DDS does not conduct its own medical exams. It works only with records from doctors who have already treated you. If your records are incomplete or outdated, the DDS may request additional records from your physicians before making a decision.

What the DDS Is Looking For: The Severity Standard

Social Security has a specific legal definition of disability. Your condition must be severe — meaning it significantly limits your ability to do basic work activities — and it must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The DDS examiner checks your case against this standard, not against your own financial need or how much the condition affects your daily life outside of work.

The DDS uses a five-step sequential evaluation process. First, they confirm you are not currently working at what Social Security calls "substantial gainful activity" — roughly $1,550 per month in 2024, though this amount changes yearly. Second, they determine whether your condition is severe. Third, they check whether your condition matches or equals one of the conditions on Social Security's Listing of Impairments — a detailed catalog of conditions that automatically may have access to as disabling. Fourth, if your condition does not match a listing, they assess your residual functional capacity (RFC) — what you can still do despite your limitations. Fifth, they determine whether you can do any other work that exists in the national economy.

Most denials happen at Step 3 or Step 4, when the examiner concludes your condition either does not match a listing or does not prevent you from doing some form of work.

When the DDS Requests More Medical Records

If your medical evidence is incomplete, the DDS will send a request to your doctors asking for specific records. You will receive a copy of this request. The doctors have 10 days to respond, though many take longer. If your doctor does not respond, the DDS may deny your claim based on insufficient evidence.

You can speed this up by contacting your doctors directly and asking them to send the records to the DDS. Provide them with the DDS office address and the case number from your Social Security notice. If you have seen multiple doctors, contact all of them — the more complete your medical picture, the stronger your case.

You can also submit new medical evidence yourself during Step 3. If you have had recent appointments or new test results, send them to the DDS office handling your case. Include a cover letter with your name, Social Security number, and a brief explanation of what you are submitting and why it is relevant.

How Long Step 3 Takes and What Happens Next

The DDS typically makes a decision within 30 to 90 days of receiving your complete file. In high-volume states or when additional records are needed, it can take longer. You will not hear anything during this waiting period unless the DDS needs more information.

When the decision is made, you will receive a written notice in the mail. The notice will state whether you were approved or denied. If approved, it will include the date your benefits begin and information about your first payment. If denied, the notice will explain the reason — usually that your condition does not meet the severity standard or does not match a listing.

A denial does not end the process. You have the right to request reconsideration, which sends your case to a different examiner and medical consultant for a fresh review. You must request reconsideration within 60 days of receiving the denial notice, though you can ask Social Security for an extension if you need more time.

What You Can Do During Step 3 to Strengthen Your Case

While the DDS is reviewing your file, you are not powerless. Stay in treatment with your doctors. Attend all appointments and follow their recommendations. The DDS looks at whether you are receiving ongoing medical care — gaps in treatment can hurt your case, even if you stopped going because you could not afford it.

Keep detailed records of your symptoms and how they affect your ability to work. Write down specific examples: how far you can walk before pain forces you to stop, how long you can sit at a desk, whether you can concentrate on tasks, how often you have flare-ups or bad days. This information can be submitted to the DDS and helps the medical consultant understand the real-world impact of your condition.

If you have a treating physician who knows your case well, ask them to write a statement supporting your claim. Some doctors will provide a detailed letter explaining why they believe you cannot work. This carries significant weight with the DDS because it comes from someone with direct knowledge of your condition.

Understanding a Denial and Your Right to Reconsideration

If the DDS denies your claim, read the notice carefully. It will explain which step of the evaluation process led to the denial. Common reasons include: your condition is not severe enough, your condition does not match a listing, or you retain the capacity to do some form of work despite your limitations.

A denial at Step 3 does not mean you are not disabled in a real sense — it means your medical evidence did not meet Social Security's legal standard. This is why reconsideration matters. A different examiner and medical consultant may interpret the same evidence differently, or you may have new medical evidence to submit.

To request reconsideration, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213. You can also submit a written request to the DDS office that handled your case. Include your name, Social Security number, and a statement that you are requesting reconsideration of your denial. You have 60 days from the date on the denial notice to make this request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I contact the DDS office to check on my case during Step 3?

You can call your local Social Security office to ask for a status update, but the DDS office itself typically does not take calls from the public. Social Security can tell you whether your case is still under review or if a decision has been made. If you need to submit additional medical records, send them directly to the DDS office address listed on your Social Security notice.

What if my doctor disagrees with the DDS decision?

Your doctor's opinion does not override the DDS decision, but it can support your reconsideration request. If your treating physician believes the DDS made an error or overlooked important medical evidence, ask them to write a statement explaining their position. Submit this with your reconsideration request. The new examiner will review it as part of the fresh evaluation.

Does the DDS consider my age or education during Step 3?

Age and education are not considered during Step 3 itself — only during Step 5, if your case reaches that point. Step 3 focuses purely on whether your medical condition is severe and meets the definition of disability. Older workers and those with less education may have an easier time at Step 5, but that evaluation comes later.

What happens if I get a job offer while my case is in Step 3?

Tell Social Security when ready. If you return to work at substantial gainful activity level — roughly $1,550 per month — your case will be denied because you are no longer unable to work. If you work below that level, your case can continue, but report the income to Social Security.

Can I submit medical records from before I applied for SSDI?

Yes. The DDS will consider any medical evidence relevant to your condition, regardless of when the treatment occurred. Older records that show the history and progression of your condition can be helpful. Submit them with a note explaining why they are relevant to your current disability claim.