Disability determination services
Disability determination Services or DDS are State agencies which are responsible for developing medical evidence and making the initial determination. These are fully funded by the Federal Government. When you file an application for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration District Office is first responsible for verifying initial eligibility requirements, which may include age, employment, marital status information.
The office then sends your case to Disability Determination Services for evaluation of disability. If the DDS claim examiner feels that the evidence is unavailable or insufficient to make a determination, he arranges for an independent medical examination to secure additional medical documentation. Then the DDS examiner returns the case to Social Security Administration District Office for appropriate action. If DDS finds:
The office then sends your case to Disability Determination Services for evaluation of disability. If the DDS claim examiner feels that the evidence is unavailable or insufficient to make a determination, he arranges for an independent medical examination to secure additional medical documentation. Then the DDS examiner returns the case to Social Security Administration District Office for appropriate action. If DDS finds:
- You are disabled: Social Security Administration completes outstanding non-disability development, computes the benefit amount, and begins paying benefits
- You are not disabled: Your file is kept in the Social Security Administration District Office in case you decide to appeal the determination.