Disability Determination Services — DDS
The state agencies that make the medical disability decision for SSA. DDS handles your initial SSDI or SSI application and the reconsideration appeal.
Official source: ssa.gov
## Who they are
Disability Determination Services (DDS) are **state agencies, funded by SSA**, that make the medical disability decision on every SSDI and SSI claim at the first two levels of the process:
- **Initial application** - **Reconsideration**
If you are denied at both levels, your case leaves the DDS and moves to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing, which is handled by SSA's Office of Hearings Operations.
## Who works at the DDS
- **Disability Examiners (DEs)** — case managers who gather records, send forms, and write the decision. - **Medical Consultants (MCs)** — physicians and psychologists who review the file and assess severity, listings, and Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). - **Psychological/Psychiatric Consultants (PCs)** — mental health specialists who handle psychiatric and cognitive claims.
DDS staff almost always work from records — they rarely examine claimants in person. When the file is incomplete, they order a Consultative Examination (CE).
## How long DDS takes
In 2026, average DDS initial processing time runs **3 to 6 months**, depending on:
- State backlog. - Complexity of the medical record. - Whether a CE is needed. - Volume of claims in your region.
## Why this matters to you
Most claimants think SSA itself denies their initial claim. In reality, the DDS in your state writes the denial. That means:
- Sending records and Function Reports directly to your state DDS office (not SSA) speeds processing. - Following up on missing evidence with the DDS examiner is the most effective way to keep your file moving. - Understanding that the DDS only sees what is in the file underscores why **complete medical evidence** is the single biggest factor in approval rates.
## After reconsideration
If the DDS denies you at reconsideration, your case leaves the DDS entirely. The next stop is an ALJ hearing — a different system with much higher approval rates and the chance to testify and present new evidence.
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Frequently asked questions about Disability Determination Services
Is DDS part of SSA?+
DDS agencies are state-run but federally funded by SSA. They make medical decisions on behalf of SSA at the initial and reconsideration levels.
Why was I denied by DDS instead of SSA?+
All initial and reconsideration medical decisions are made by your state DDS. SSA itself handles non-medical eligibility (work history, income, insured status) and final award processing.
Can I talk to my DDS examiner?+
Yes. The denial letter or notice of decision usually has a phone number. Calling to confirm receipt of records or ask about missing evidence is appropriate.
Where do CEs fit in?+
When DDS believes the medical record is incomplete or outdated, the examiner orders a Consultative Examination with a contracted doctor and pays for it out of the DDS budget.
What happens after a DDS denial at reconsideration?+
Your case moves to SSA's Office of Hearings Operations for an ALJ hearing. ALJ approval rates are higher than DDS approval rates, and you can present new evidence and testify.
Source: ssa.gov