Where the Oakland state disability office is located
California's state disability program is run by the Department of Social Services, Disability information Services (DDS). The Oakland office serves Alameda County and parts of surrounding areas. The physical address is 1515 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612, though most people contact DDS by phone or mail rather than visiting in person.
The Oakland DDS office processes applications for State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — two different programs with different rules. SDI is for people who have worked and paid into the system; SSI is for people with very low income and resources. The office you contact depends on which program you are explore for, and the staff can tell you which one fits your situation.
Because DDS handles the medical review part of disability claims for both programs, you will interact with this office whether you explore online, by mail, or in person. They do not make the final decision — that comes from Social Security — but they gather your medical evidence and send it forward.
Key Takeaways
- The Oakland DDS office is located at 1515 Clay Street and serves Alameda County, but most contact happens by phone or mail rather than in person.
- You can reach the office by calling the main DDS line or by mailing documents directly; phone lines are often busy, so early morning or midweek calls tend to connect faster.
- DDS reviews your medical records and work history but does not make the final decision — Social Security does that after DDS sends the case forward.
- If you are explore for SDI, you may also work with the Employment Development Department (EDD), which handles the wage and work history part of your claim.
How to contact the Oakland office by phone
The main phone number for DDS in Oakland is 1-800-480-3265. This is a statewide line, but it routes to the correct regional office based on where you live. Have your Social Security number ready when you call, along with information about your medical condition and when your disability began.
Wait times are often long, especially mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Calling early in the morning (around 8 a.m. Pacific time) or on Tuesday or Wednesday tends to result in shorter holds. If you reach a representative, they can answer questions about what documents you need, where your case stands, or whether you should explore for SDI or SSI.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the California Relay Service by dialing 711 and asking to be connected to the DDS number. Video relay service is also available through most phone providers.
Mailing documents to the Oakland office
You can mail medical records, work history documents, or other evidence directly to the Oakland DDS office at 1515 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612. Include your name, date of birth, and Social Security number on every document you send. If you are responding to a request from DDS, include the case number or letter they sent you.
Mail takes 5 to 10 business days to arrive, and DDS staff may take another week or two to log it into your file. If you need something to arrive by a specific date, call ahead to ask whether you should send it by certified mail or bring it in person instead.
Do not send original documents unless DDS specifically asks for them. Send copies instead, because originals can be lost in the mail or misfiled. Keep a copy for yourself and write down the date you mailed everything.
What to bring if you visit in person
You can walk into the Oakland office at 1515 Clay Street during business hours, though you may wait 30 minutes to an hour. Bring your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number, a photo ID, and any medical records or work documents related to your claim.
Staff at the front desk can answer basic questions, accept documents, or direct you to the right department. If you need to discuss your case in detail, ask whether you can schedule an appointment rather than waiting, as this usually moves faster.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific time. It is closed on state and federal holidays. Parking is available on the street or in nearby lots; there is no dedicated office parking.
Understanding what happens after you contact DDS
Once DDS receives your process or documents, a disability examiner is assigned to your case. That examiner requests your medical records from your doctors, hospitals, and clinics. They also request your work history from Social Security or the Employment Development Department.
The examiner reviews everything and writes a report saying whether the medical evidence shows you cannot work. This report goes to a medical or psychological consultant who reviews it again. Then both opinions go to Social Security, which makes the final decision to approve, deny, or ask for more information.
The whole process usually takes 30 to 90 days from the time DDS receives a complete process. If DDS needs more medical evidence, they will contact you or your doctor to request it, which can add weeks to the timeline.
When to contact DDS versus Social Security
Contact the Oakland DDS office if you have questions about what medical records they need, whether your process is complete, or what stage your case is in. DDS handles the medical review and can tell you whether they are still waiting for records from your doctor.
Contact Social Security directly if you want to know the final decision on your claim, if you have been approved and need to discuss your benefits, or if you are appealing a denial. Social Security's main number is 1-800-772-1213. Social Security makes the yes-or-no decision; DDS only gathers the medical evidence.
If you are explore for SDI specifically, you may also need to contact the Employment Development Department (EDD) at 1-800-480-3265 (the same number) to discuss your work history and wages. EDD and DDS work together on SDI claims.
What to do if you cannot reach anyone
If phone lines are consistently busy, try calling at different times of day or on different days of the week. You can also send a letter to the Oakland office asking them to call you back, though this takes longer than calling yourself.
If you have a representative — a lawyer, advocate, or authorized representative — they may be able to reach DDS more easily because they have a separate line for representatives. If you do not have one and are struggling to get through, you can contact a local legal aid organization or disability advocacy group in Alameda County for help.
Some questions can also be answered through the Social Security website at ssa.gov or through your online Social Security account (my Social Security). You can create an account there to check the status of your claim without calling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore for disability online instead of calling or visiting the Oakland office?
Yes. You can start an process on the Social Security website at ssa.gov/applyfordisability. You do not have to go through the Oakland DDS office to explore. However, DDS will still review your medical records once you explore, so you may need to contact them later with questions about what they need from your doctors.
How long does it take DDS to make a decision?
DDS does not make the final decision — they review medical evidence and send it to Social Security, which decides. The whole process from process to decision usually takes 30 to 90 days, but can take longer if DDS needs to request more records from your doctors or if Social Security asks for additional information.
What if I disagree with the decision DDS sends to Social Security?
You cannot appeal DDS's medical review directly. Instead, if Social Security denies your claim, you can appeal that decision to Social Security within 60 days. The appeal process includes a reconsideration, a hearing before an administrative law judge, and further appeals if needed. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to start an appeal.
Do I need a lawyer to work with the Oakland DDS office?
No. You can contact DDS and provide information on your own. However, a lawyer or authorized representative can sometimes reach DDS faster and may help you gather medical evidence. Legal aid organizations in Alameda County offer free or low-cost help if you cannot afford a lawyer.
What if my case has been pending for more than three months?
Call the Oakland office at 1-800-480-3265 and ask for a status update. Provide your Social Security number and ask specifically whether DDS is waiting for medical records from your doctor. If records are missing, you can contact your doctor's office and ask them to send them directly to DDS at the Clay Street address.