What Disability information Services Does

Disability information Services (DDS) is the state agency that decides whether you meet the medical definition of disability under Social Security rules. When you file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in California, your claim goes to DDS, not directly to Social Security. DDS reviews your medical records, orders any tests it needs, and sends Social Security a written recommendation about whether you are disabled.

DDS does not decide how much money you get or whether you are may be able to access based on work history or income. Social Security makes those decisions. DDS answers one question only: does your condition meet the medical criteria in the Social Security Blue Book?

The agency is part of the California Department of Social Services. It has regional offices across the state, but you do not visit them in person for most of the process. Nearly all communication happens by mail, phone, or through your medical providers.

Key Takeaways

  • DDS is a state agency that decides the medical part of your disability claim; Social Security decides the financial and work-history parts.
  • You do not explore to DDS directly—Social Security sends your claim to them after you file for SSDI or SSI.
  • DDS will contact your doctors and may order a consultative exam if your medical records are incomplete or outdated.
  • The decision process usually takes three to six months, though some cases take longer if DDS needs more medical evidence.
  • You can appeal a DDS denial to an administrative law judge, and the appeal process is separate from DDS.

How Your Claim Moves Through DDS

After you file for SSDI or SSI with Social Security, the agency checks your non-medical may be able to access—your age, work history, and income. If you pass that screen, Social Security sends your entire file to the DDS office that covers your county. This transfer usually happens within two to four weeks.

A DDS examiner (a person trained in disability law and medical review, not a doctor) is assigned to your case. The examiner reads your medical records, your work history, and your description of how your condition limits you. If the records are complete and recent, the examiner may make a decision based on what is already in the file. If records are old or missing, the examiner contacts your doctors to ask for updated information.

If your doctors do not respond or if DDS needs a specific test or evaluation, DDS will order a consultative exam. This is a one-time appointment with a doctor or psychologist chosen by DDS, paid for by DDS. You do not pay for it. The exam is meant to fill gaps in the medical record, not to replace your own doctor's care.

What Medical Evidence DDS Needs

DDS bases its decision on objective medical evidence: test results, imaging, lab work, treatment notes from doctors, and mental health evaluations. The stronger and more recent your medical records, the faster DDS can make a decision.

You should send DDS copies of records from every doctor, hospital, or mental health provider who has treated you for your condition. Include dates of visits, diagnoses, test results, and notes about how the condition affects your ability to work. Records older than three months may be considered outdated, and DDS will ask for newer ones.

If you have not seen a doctor in months, DDS may order a consultative exam. If you refuse the exam or do not show up, DDS may deny your claim based on insufficient evidence. The exam is not optional—it is part of how DDS gathers the facts it needs to decide.

The Consultative Exam Process

When DDS orders a consultative exam, it sends you a letter with the date, time, location, and the name of the doctor or psychologist. The exam is usually scheduled within two to four weeks. You are responsible for getting there; DDS does not provide transportation, though some regional offices can discuss accommodations if you cannot travel.

The exam is brief—usually 30 to 60 minutes. The doctor will ask about your medical history, current symptoms, medications, and how your condition affects daily activities and work. The doctor will perform a physical exam or mental status evaluation depending on your condition. You do not need to bring anything except your ID.

After the exam, the doctor sends a report to DDS. DDS uses this report along with your other medical records to make its decision. The exam does not determine the outcome by itself; it is one piece of evidence among all the records DDS reviews.

How Long DDS Takes to Decide

The standard timeframe is 60 days from the date DDS receives your file from Social Security, though in practice most cases take three to six months. The clock starts when Social Security transfers your claim, not when you originally filed.

Cases that take longer usually involve requests for medical records from multiple providers, ordering consultative exams, or waiting for doctors to respond to DDS inquiries. If DDS is waiting on your doctors to send records and you know they have not responded, you can contact your providers and ask them to send the records directly to DDS. Your DDS case number is on any letter you receive from DDS.

DDS will send you a letter with its decision. If DDS says you are disabled, the letter explains what condition DDS found and how it meets the Blue Book criteria. If DDS denies your claim, the letter explains which criteria you did not meet and gives you information about how to appeal.

What Happens After DDS Makes a Decision

If DDS recommends approval, Social Security reviews that recommendation and usually approves your claim. Social Security then determines your benefit amount based on your work history and sends you a separate notice about your monthly payment and Medicare or Medicaid coverage.

If DDS recommends denial, Social Security sends you a denial notice. You then have the right to appeal to an administrative law judge (ALJ). This appeal is handled by Social Security's Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, not by DDS. You do not go back to DDS; you move to the next level of review.

At the ALJ hearing, you can present new medical evidence that was not in your DDS file, testify about how your condition affects you, and have a representative (lawyer or non-lawyer advocate) argue your case. Many people who are denied by DDS are approved at the ALJ level because they can present more complete medical evidence or explain their limitations in person.

How to Work With DDS During Your Claim

Stay in touch with your doctors and make sure they know you have filed for disability. Ask them to send records to DDS promptly when DDS requests them. If you receive a letter from DDS asking for information or scheduling a consultative exam, respond within the important date stated in the letter—usually 10 days. Missing a important date can delay your case or result in a denial.

If you move or change your phone number, notify Social Security when ready. DDS will try to reach you at the address and phone number on file, and if mail is returned or calls go unanswered, DDS may make a decision without hearing from you.

You can contact DDS directly if you have questions about your case. Your DDS case number is on any letter you receive. However, DDS cannot tell you whether you will be approved or denied—only the examiner assigned to your case knows that, and they do not discuss decisions before the letter is sent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I talk to the DDS examiner about my case?

You can call DDS with factual questions—to confirm they received your records, to ask about the status of a consultative exam, or to provide updated contact information. You cannot discuss the merits of your case or try to persuade the examiner to approve you. The examiner does not take calls about the decision itself.

What if I disagree with the consultative exam doctor's findings?

You can submit a written statement disagreeing with the exam report, and DDS will include it in your file. You can also have your own doctor write a letter explaining why they disagree. At the ALJ appeal stage, you can present your own medical evidence and the judge will weigh all the evidence, including the consultative exam.

Does DDS contact my employer?

No. DDS does not contact employers. DDS reviews medical records and work history from your process. If you are still working or recently stopped working, tell DDS about your current job duties and why you cannot continue working—this information helps DDS understand how your condition affects your ability to work.

What if my medical records are with a provider who is no longer in business?

Contact DDS and explain the situation. DDS may be able to help locate old records or may proceed without them if you have enough recent medical evidence from current providers. If records are truly unavailable, a consultative exam becomes more important because it creates new medical evidence for DDS to review.

Can I request a different DDS examiner if I disagree with the first decision?

No. If DDS denies your claim, your appeal goes to an administrative law judge, not back to DDS. A different examiner will not review your case unless you win your ALJ hearing and the case is sent back to DDS for a new decision on a different issue.