Disability Determination Services

When the Social Security field office worker has finished their job, they send your claim to another office in your state. Each state has its own name for this office; however, the rules it follows to decide whether you are disabled are the same. It is commonly called the office of “Disability Determination Services,” or “ DDS ,” but to make it simple, let's call it the “Disability Office.”

Disability caseworker

Once your file arrives at the Disability Office, it is given to someone called a “Disability Claims Examiner.” Let's call this person your disability caseworker. It is your disability caseworker’s responsibility to gather information from both you and your medical sources, such as doctors and hospitals, to support your claim that you can no longer work. He or she makes the final decision on your disability claim. This caseworker is your most important ally at this level of the disability application process. You should make every effort to stay in close contact with your caseworker and befriend him or her.

You never see the disability caseworker, but you have access to him or her through telephone calls and faxes. Keep your disability case worker up-to-date on any changes in your condition, new hospitalizations, and new treating sources. Make sure you let your case worker know if you change your phone number or address. I recommend that you don’t go more than a week without touching base with your caseworker.