What Disability information Services Does

Disability information Services (DDS) is the state agency that reviews your claim when you file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in California. DDS does not decide whether you get the money — Social Security does — but DDS gathers your medical records, orders exams if needed, and writes the medical opinion that Social Security uses to make its decision.

When you file for SSDI or SSI, your claim goes to Social Security first. Social Security then sends it to DDS, which has 60 days to complete the medical review. DDS is part of the California Department of Social Services, but it works under contract with the federal Social Security Administration.

Understanding what DDS does and does not do can help you know what to expect and what documents matter most as your claim moves through the system.

Key Takeaways

  • DDS reviews the medical evidence in your claim and sends its findings to Social Security, which makes the final decision on whether you are disabled.
  • You do not file directly with DDS — you file with Social Security, and Social Security forwards your claim to DDS automatically.
  • DDS may contact you to schedule a consultative exam if your medical records do not contain enough information about your condition.
  • The DDS review usually takes 30 to 60 days, though it can take longer if DDS needs to request additional records from your doctors.
  • You can contact DDS to check on your claim status, but Social Security remains the office that sends you approval or denial letters.

How Your Claim Moves Through DDS

After you file with Social Security, your claim is assigned a case number. Social Security sends your file to the DDS office that covers your county. A DDS disability examiner — not a doctor — opens your file and begins gathering medical records from the doctors and hospitals you listed on your process.

The examiner requests records from your treating physicians, any specialists you see, and any hospitals or clinics where you have received care. If you had surgery, mental health treatment, or ongoing therapy, those records are central to the review. The examiner also orders records from any emergency room visits or urgent care visits related to your condition.

Once the examiner has your medical records, a DDS medical consultant — a doctor or psychologist licensed in California — reviews them. This consultant writes a medical opinion about whether your condition meets or equals the requirements in Social Security's list of disabling conditions. The consultant also assesses your functional capacity: what you can and cannot do physically and mentally.

The examiner and medical consultant together prepare a written decision. If they find you are disabled, they recommend approval. If they find you are not disabled, they recommend denial. This recommendation goes back to Social Security, which makes the official decision and sends you a letter.

When DDS Orders a Consultative Exam

If your medical records do not contain recent or detailed enough information, DDS may schedule you for a consultative exam — a one-time appointment with a doctor or psychologist chosen by DDS, not your own doctor. DDS pays for this exam.

You will receive a letter in the mail telling you the date, time, and location of the exam, along with the name of the examiner. The letter will also list what documents to bring. You should bring photo identification and any medical records you have at home, even if DDS already has copies.

The exam is usually brief — 30 to 60 minutes — and focuses on the areas DDS needs more information about. For a back injury, the examiner might test your range of motion and strength. For a mental health condition, the examiner might ask about your daily activities, sleep, concentration, and mood. The examiner sends a report to DDS, which uses it to complete the medical opinion.

If you cannot attend the scheduled exam, call the number on the letter as soon as possible to reschedule. Missing the exam without rescheduling can result in a denial of your claim.

What DDS Needs From Your Doctors

The speed of your DDS review depends partly on how quickly your doctors respond to DDS's record requests. DDS sends requests to your treating physicians, but doctors' offices are often slow to respond, and some offices charge fees for copying records.

You can speed this up by contacting your doctors yourself and asking them to send your medical records directly to DDS. When you do, provide them with the DDS address for your county (you can find this on your Social Security letter or by calling Social Security). Include your claim number and date of birth so the records reach the right file.

Medical records that help your claim include: recent test results (X-rays, MRI, blood work), treatment notes from your doctors, medication lists with dosages, notes about side effects, therapy or counseling records, and any letters from your doctors describing your limitations. If you have been hospitalized or had surgery, those records are especially important.

Records that are months or years old are less useful. DDS wants to see what your condition is like now, not what it was like five years ago. If you have not seen a doctor recently, consider scheduling an appointment before your DDS review is complete, so there is current medical evidence in your file.

Checking Your Claim Status With DDS

You can call DDS to ask about your claim status. The phone number for your county DDS office is on the letter Social Security sent you when your claim was filed. You will need your claim number and date of birth to look up your case.

DDS staff can tell you whether your file is complete, whether a consultative exam has been scheduled, and approximately when the review will be finished. They cannot tell you what the decision will be — only Social Security can do that.

If DDS tells you that records are still missing from one of your doctors, you can follow up with that doctor's office directly. Calling the doctor's office and asking them to send records to DDS often speeds things up more than waiting for DDS to request them again.

You can also check your claim status online through your my Social Security account at ssa.gov. This account shows you the status of your claim as it moves through the system, though it may not update as frequently as a phone call to DDS.

What Happens After DDS Completes Its Review

Once DDS finishes its medical review, it sends its recommendation to Social Security. Social Security then makes the official decision: approval, denial, or a request for more information. You will receive a letter from Social Security — not from DDS — telling you the decision.

If Social Security approves your claim, the letter will tell you your benefit amount and when payments begin. If Social Security denies your claim, the letter will explain the reason and tell you how to request reconsideration or file an appeal.

DDS's role ends once it sends its recommendation to Social Security. If you disagree with the decision, you appeal to Social Security, not to DDS. However, if you request reconsideration (the first level of appeal), Social Security may send your case back to DDS for a second medical review by a different examiner and medical consultant.

DDS Offices by California County

California has multiple DDS offices serving different regions of the state. Your claim goes to the office that covers your county. The Social Security letter you receive when you file will tell you which DDS office is handling your case and provide a phone number.

If you move to a different county during your claim review, notify Social Security when ready. Your case may need to be transferred to a different DDS office, which can cause delays if not handled promptly.

You can also find your local DDS office by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and asking for the DDS phone number for your county. Social Security's website at ssa.gov also has a state-by-state office locator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I contact DDS directly to file my claim?

No. You must file with Social Security first, either online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Social Security then sends your claim to DDS automatically. Contacting DDS before you file with Social Security will not start the process.

What if DDS loses my medical records?

If DDS cannot locate records from one of your doctors, it will request them again. You can speed this up by calling your doctor's office directly and asking them to send the records to DDS. Provide the DDS office address from your Social Security letter and your claim number so the records reach the correct file.

Can I choose which doctor does my consultative exam?

No. DDS selects the examiner and pays for the exam. However, you can request that the exam take place near your home or workplace, and DDS will try to accommodate that request. If you have a strong reason the scheduled examiner cannot see you (such as a language barrier), call DDS to discuss alternatives.

How long does DDS take to finish its review?

DDS has 60 days from the time it receives your file, but the actual time depends on how quickly your doctors send records and whether a consultative exam is needed. Most reviews take 30 to 60 days. If records are delayed or hard to obtain, it can take longer.

What if I disagree with DDS's decision?

You do not appeal to DDS directly. You appeal to Social Security, which made the final decision. You can request reconsideration, which sends your case back to DDS for a second review by a different examiner and medical consultant. The appeal process is handled entirely by Social Security.