What Disability information Services Does in Massachusetts

Disability information Services (DDS) is the state agency that decides whether you meet the medical definition of disability under Social Security rules. It does not award benefits itself — the Social Security Administration (SSA) does that — but DDS does the medical review that SSA relies on to say yes or no.

In Massachusetts, DDS is part of the Department of Transitional information. When you file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on disability, your process goes to your local Social Security office, but the medical decision gets made by DDS. They order medical records, sometimes request a consultative exam, and write the decision letter that SSA signs.

DDS also handles reconsideration — the first appeal level if SSA denies you. If you disagree with a denial, you can ask for reconsideration, and DDS will review the case again, usually with a different examiner.

Key Takeaways

  • DDS makes the medical decision on your SSDI or SSI disability claim, but you file with Social Security, not with DDS directly.
  • DDS will request your medical records from doctors and hospitals you list on your process, and may order a free exam if your records are incomplete.
  • The initial decision typically takes 30 to 90 days, though cases with missing records or complex medical histories take longer.
  • If SSA denies you, you can request reconsideration, which sends your case back to DDS for a fresh review by a different examiner.
  • You can contact DDS to check on your case status, but only after SSA has forwarded it — calling before that will not speed anything up.

How Your Case Moves From Social Security to DDS

You do not file directly with DDS. You file your SSDI or SSI process at your local Social Security office, by phone (1-800-772-1213), or online at ssa.gov. Once SSA receives your process, it screens it for completeness and then forwards the medical part to DDS.

This handoff usually happens within a few days, but DDS will not start work until SSA has sent everything. That is why it matters to list all the doctors, hospitals, and clinics you have seen — the more complete your medical history is at filing, the faster DDS can move.

You will receive a notice from SSA telling you that your case has been sent to DDS for medical review. This notice includes a DDS case number. Keep that number; you will need it if you call to check status.

What DDS Does With Your Medical Records

DDS sends requests to every doctor, hospital, and mental health provider you listed on your process. They ask for records from the past several years, focusing on the date you say your disability began. If you did not list a provider, DDS cannot get those records unless you send them yourself.

DDS medical examiners (called disability examiners) review all the records that come back. They look for objective medical evidence — test results, imaging, exam findings, medication lists — that shows you have a condition severe enough to prevent work. They also look at what your doctors say about your functional limits: can you sit, stand, lift, concentrate, remember instructions, interact with others.

If your records are incomplete or do not clearly show your condition, DDS may order a consultative examination (CE). This is a free medical exam paid for by SSA. A doctor or psychologist DDS contracts with will examine you or do a mental status evaluation. You do not choose the doctor, but you have the right to bring someone with you, and you can request a different exam if you have a legitimate reason to object to the first one.

Timeline and Status Checks

Initial decisions usually take 30 to 90 days from the date DDS receives your complete file. Cases with straightforward medical evidence — for example, a recent cancer diagnosis with clear treatment records — move faster. Cases with spotty records, multiple conditions, or mental health claims often take longer because DDS may need to order a consultative exam or request more information from your doctors.

You can check your case status by calling DDS at 617-727-5150 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time). Have your Social Security number and DDS case number ready. DDS can tell you whether records have arrived, whether a consultative exam has been scheduled, and roughly where you are in the queue.

Do not call before SSA has sent your case to DDS — DDS will not have a file yet, and calling will not speed the process. Wait for the notice from SSA saying your case has been referred.

What Happens If DDS Says No

If DDS decides you do not meet the medical definition of disability, SSA will send you a denial letter. The letter explains why — for example, "your condition does not meet the listing" or "you retain the capacity to do other work." You have the right to disagree.

Your first appeal is reconsideration. You must request it within 60 days of the denial letter (though SSA may extend this if you have good reason). Reconsideration sends your case back to DDS, and a different examiner reviews it from scratch. You can submit new medical evidence, a statement from your doctor, or a written explanation of why you disagree.

If reconsideration is also denied, your next step is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), which is handled by SSA's Office of Hearings and Appeals, not by DDS. At that point, you may want to talk to a disability advocate or attorney.

Submitting Medical Evidence to DDS

You do not send records directly to DDS during the initial claim. SSA collects them. But if you have recent records that were not available when you filed — a new test result, a recent hospital discharge summary, a letter from your doctor — you can send them to SSA and ask that they be forwarded to DDS. Include your Social Security number and DDS case number on everything you send.

During reconsideration, you can submit new evidence directly. Send it to the DDS address on your reconsideration notice. New evidence can make a real difference, especially if it shows your condition has worsened or if your earlier records were incomplete.

If you have a doctor who understands your case well, a detailed letter from that doctor describing your functional limits — how long you can sit, whether you can concentrate, whether you can handle stress — can be powerful evidence. DDS weighs treating source opinions heavily, especially if the doctor has examined you over time.

Working With a Representative During DDS Review

You can have a representative — a lawyer, a non-lawyer advocate, or a family member — help you through the DDS process. Your representative can request records, submit evidence, and talk to DDS on your behalf. If you use a lawyer, they typically work on contingency, meaning they take a fee only if you win (up to 25 percent of back pay, capped at $7,200).

To appoint a representative, you file a form (SSA-1696) with SSA. Your representative does not need to be a lawyer; many disability advocates and paralegals know the DDS process well and charge lower fees than attorneys.

Having a representative does not speed up DDS's medical review — the timeline is the same — but a good representative can make sure your file is complete, that DDS has all your medical evidence, and that your case is presented clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I call DDS before my case is sent to them?

No. DDS will not have a file until SSA forwards your process. Calling early will not help. Wait for the notice from SSA saying your case has been referred to DDS for medical review, then use the DDS case number on that notice when you call to check status.

What if I disagree with the consultative exam?

You have the right to object if you believe the exam was unfair or the doctor did not understand your condition. Tell DDS in writing why you object. DDS may order a second exam, though they are not required to. If you proceed to reconsideration or a hearing, you can present your own medical evidence to counter the CE findings.

How long does reconsideration take?

Reconsideration typically takes 30 to 90 days, similar to the initial review. The timeline depends on how much new evidence you submit and whether DDS needs to order another consultative exam. Submit your reconsideration request and any new evidence as soon as possible after the denial.

What if my doctor says I am disabled but DDS says I am not?

DDS must consider your doctor's opinion, but it is not automatically binding. DDS weighs treating source opinions — doctors who have examined you over time — more heavily than one-time opinions. If your doctor's letter is vague or does not explain your functional limits clearly, DDS may not find it persuasive. During reconsideration or appeal, a detailed letter from your doctor describing what you cannot do is more useful than a straightforward statement that you are disabled.

Can I work while DDS is reviewing my case?

Yes. Working does not hurt your claim as long as your earnings stay below the substantial gainful activity (SGA) limit, which is $1,550 per month in 2024 (the amount changes yearly). If you earn more than that, DDS may use your work as evidence that you can work. Report any work to SSA so they can factor it into the decision correctly.