You might wonder what happens behind the scenes when you submit your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application. Your claim doesn't go directly to a Social Security office for review. Instead, it gets forwarded to a state agency called Disability Determination Services (DDS), where trained professionals evaluate whether you meet the federal requirements for disability benefits.
The DDS SSD process can feel like a mystery, especially when you're waiting for a decision that could provide crucial financial support. Our experienced Massachusetts SSDI lawyers are here to help demystify how these evaluators examine your medical records, work history, and functional limitations so you can know what to expect during the review period.
What Is Disability Determination Services?
Disability Determination Services (DDS) operates as the medical evaluation arm of the Social Security disability system. Each state contracts with the federal government to run its own DDS office, which handles the initial medical determinations for both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims.
Massachusetts DDS receives funding from the Social Security Administration (SSA) but operates independently to review medical evidence and make disability determinations. The agency follows federal guidelines established by SSA while maintaining its own staff of medical and vocational professionals. This structure allows for consistent application of disability standards across all states while giving each DDS office the flexibility to handle cases efficiently.
DDS serves as the gatekeeper for disability benefits, conducting thorough reviews before any monthly payments begin. The agency's primary responsibility involves determining whether applicants meet Social Security's strict definition of disability, which requires proving inability to perform substantial gainful activity due to medical conditions expected to last at least 12 months.
Who Works at Disability Determination Services?
DDS employs a team of medical and vocational professionals who bring different knowledge to the disability evaluation process. Each case usually involves review by multiple staff members who contribute their specific areas of expertise to reach a final decision.
Disability Examiners
Serving as the primary case managers, disability examiners coordinate the entire review process. These professionals receive extensive training in Social Security disability regulations. They gather medical records, order consultative examinations when needed, and work with other team members to evaluate each claim.
Medical Consultants
Licensed physicians work as consultants to review the medical evidence in each case and provide clinical insights. These doctors don't treat applicants but instead analyze medical records to determine the severity of conditions and their impact on work ability. They may specialize in different areas of medicine depending on the types of impairments and health conditions being evaluated.
Psychologists and Psychiatrists
Psychological consultants work specifically with cases involving mental health conditions. These licensed psychologists or psychiatrists evaluate claims for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric conditions. They review treatment records, psychological testing results, and other mental health evidence to determine how these conditions affect an applicant's ability to work.
The Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Process DDS Uses
Disability Determination Services follows a specific five-step process established by federal regulations to evaluate every Social Security Disability Insurance claim.
Step 1: Substantial Gainful Activity Review
The first step determines whether you're currently working at a level that disqualifies you from disability benefits. Social Security defines substantial gainful activity (SGA) as earning more than $1,620 per month in 2025 for non-blind individuals. DDS examiners review your recent work activity and earnings records to verify you're not performing substantial gainful activity.
Step 2: Severity Assessment
This step evaluates whether your medical conditions significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities. The impairments must be more than minimal and affect your capacity to walk, sit, stand, lift, carry, remember instructions, or interact with others. DDS examines your medical records to identify all diagnosed conditions and their symptoms.
Step 3: Listing-Level Severity Evaluation
DDS determines whether your conditions meet or equal the criteria in Social Security's Listing of Impairments, also known as the Blue Book. These listings describe specific medical conditions and the objective findings required for automatic approval at this step. The examiner compares your medical evidence against the relevant listings for your diagnosed conditions.
Step 4: Past Relevant Work Assessment
If your conditions don't meet listing-level severity, Disability Determination Services evaluates whether you can return to work you performed in the past 15 years. This assessment considers both the physical and mental demands of your previous jobs and your current functional limitations. The examiner analyzes your work history to identify past relevant work and compares the requirements of these positions with your current abilities.
Step 5: Other Work Assessment
The final step of the DDS SSD process determines whether you can adjust to other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy, considering your age, education, work experience, and functional limitations. This evaluation uses vocational guidelines, often called the Grid Rules, along with vocational consultant input. DDS considers your residual functional capacity, which describes the most you can do despite your limitations.
