What Is a DDS Examiner and How Do They Evaluate SSDI Claims?
The human touch behind every Social Security Disability decision
When someone applies for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the process might seem like it disappears into a government system. But behind each claim, there’s a person — a trained Disability Determination Services (DDS) examiner — who carefully reviews your medical evidence and applies Social Security’s federal rules.
DDS examiners play one of the most vital roles in deciding whether an applicant meets the medical requirements for disability benefits. Understanding who they are and what they do can help you feel more informed and confident throughout the SSDI process.
What Does “DDS” Mean?
“DDS” stands for Disability Determination Services, a state-level agency that works under federal Social Security Administration (SSA) oversight.
The SSA manages the overall program — including application intake, payments, and appeals — but each state’s DDS office makes the initial medical decision on disability claims. This partnership allows the SSA to apply consistent national standards while using local expertise to evaluate medical evidence.
In short:
The SSA sets the rules and manages benefits.
The DDS examiner evaluates whether your medical condition meets the SSA’s definition of disability.
When a DDS Examiner Is Assigned to Your Case
After you submit an SSDI application online, by phone, or at a local SSA office, your file is electronically transferred to your state’s DDS office.
That’s when your case is assigned to a DDS examiner, typically within a few days to a few weeks — depending on how busy your state’s office is. The examiner becomes responsible for gathering evidence, coordinating medical reviews, and keeping your file up to date until a decision is made.
How Do You Know Who Your DDS Examiner Is?
Once your case is assigned, DDS usually sends a letter introducing the examiner or includes their name and contact number in the correspondence. In some states, you may receive a phone call or mail notice requesting additional medical information signed by your examiner.
If you haven’t received any direct contact, you can call your state DDS office or ask your local SSA field office to confirm your examiner’s name and contact information.
Tip: DDS examiners cannot discuss the merits of your claim or give legal advice, but they may help clarify what records are still needed or whether a medical exam has been scheduled.
What a DDS Examiner Actually Does
A DDS examiner is a trained disability claims specialist, not necessarily a doctor. Their job is to evaluate the medical and vocational evidence in your claim according to SSA regulations.
Here’s what they typically do:
Gather Medical Records
The examiner requests medical documentation from your doctors, hospitals, and clinics. They look for objective evidence — such as lab results, imaging, or physician notes — that shows how your condition limits your ability to work.Coordinate Additional Exams
If the medical evidence is incomplete or outdated, the examiner may schedule a Consultative Examination (CE) with a doctor contracted by SSA. The exam is at no cost to you and helps fill in missing information.Consult with Medical and Psychological Experts
Every DDS examiner works closely with a medical or psychological consultant — a licensed physician or psychologist who reviews the file and provides professional input on the medical aspects of the decision.Evaluate Work Capacity
Using Social Security’s Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) framework, the examiner assesses what activities you can still perform despite your impairments.Prepare a Determination Report
The examiner writes a detailed decision explaining how they applied SSA’s five-step evaluation process. The file is then sent back to SSA for official issuance of the decision letter.
DDS Examiners and the RFC (Residual Functional Capacity) Assessment
A key part of the DDS examiner’s work is developing the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) — a detailed summary of what an applicant can still do physically or mentally despite their medical limitations.
According to SSA regulations (20 C.F.R. § 404.1545), the RFC is used to evaluate how a person’s health conditions affect their ability to perform basic work activities, such as sitting, standing, lifting, remembering instructions, or concentrating.
The examiner reviews all medical records, consultative exams, and statements from treating providers to complete the RFC form. They may also consider information from the Form SSA-3373 (Function Report – Adult), which asks applicants to describe their daily activities and how their symptoms affect them. This form helps the DDS examiner understand your day-to-day functioning in addition to your medical records.
A medical or psychological consultant signs off on the RFC, ensuring that the medical findings support the functional conclusions.
The RFC then helps the examiner determine whether a person can return to their past work or adjust to other work available in the national economy — steps four and five of SSA’s sequential evaluation process.
Example: If the RFC limits a person to sedentary work and their past work was heavy labor, the DDS examiner would document that the claimant likely cannot return to that job.
Who Else Works With the DDS Examiner
DDS examiners rarely work alone. Depending on the complexity of the case, they may collaborate with:
Medical consultants (physicians and specialists)
Psychological consultants for mental health cases
Quality review analysts, who double-check for policy compliance
Disability support staff, who help with medical record retrieval and correspondence
This team approach ensures every case is reviewed accurately under the Code of Federal Regulations (20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1501–404.1599) and SSA’s Program Operations Manual System (POMS) guidelines.
DDS Examiners and the Compassionate Allowance Program
Some cases are flagged for Compassionate Allowance (CAL) — a special SSA initiative for people with certain severe conditions that clearly meet disability standards, such as ALS, pancreatic cancer, or specific rare disorders.
When a claim qualifies for CAL, the DDS examiner expedites the review and may issue a medical decision in days or weeks rather than months. These cases still go through DDS, but the evidence requirements are lighter since the condition is already recognized by SSA as meeting disability criteria.
According to SSA, CAL cases are identified automatically through the electronic application system or by medical evidence matching a CAL condition.
How Long Does DDS Take?
The timeline varies by state, the complexity of your medical records, and whether additional exams are needed.
Most initial decisions take about six to eight months, according to the SSA website.
Compassionate Allowance cases may take as little as a few weeks.
Reconsideration (appeal) cases are also handled by DDS but reviewed by a different examiner than the one who made the first decision.
Processing times can differ widely among states because each Disability Determination Services (DDS) office operates under the same federal rules but with its own staff, workload, and medical provider network. States with larger backlogs or limited access to medical consultants may take longer to complete reviews, while others with more staffing or electronic record-sharing systems may move faster. Applicants in one state might receive a decision in six months, while another state could take eight months or more, even for similar cases.
Summary
DDS examiners are the professionals who review your SSDI medical evidence and apply Social Security’s national standards. They coordinate with doctors, psychologists, and quality reviewers to ensure every claim is evaluated fairly and consistently.
Knowing who your DDS examiner is, when they’re assigned, and how they evaluate your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) can make the process less confusing — and help you stay informed while waiting for your decision.
FAQ
Q1: Are DDS examiners doctors?
Not necessarily. DDS examiners are trained disability specialists, but each works closely with a medical or psychological consultant who is a licensed professional.
(Source: SSA – Disability Evaluation Process)
Q2: Who employs DDS examiners?
DDS examiners are state employees working under federal SSA oversight and funding.
(Source: SSA – Disability Determination Services)
Q3: How can I contact my DDS examiner?
Once your case is assigned, you may receive their contact information by mail or phone. You can also call your state DDS office or local SSA field office to request it.
(Source: SSA – Contact Your Local Office)
Q4: Are DDS examiners state or federal employees?
DDS examiners are state employees who work in state-run Disability Determination Services (DDS) offices, but they operate under federal Social Security Administration (SSA) rules, regulations, and funding. In other words, each state hires its own DDS staff, yet those examiners follow the same federal disability standards and procedures used nationwide.
(Source: Social Security Administration – Disability Determination Services)
References
Social Security Administration. (2024). Disability Determination Services (DDS). Retrieved from https://www.ssa.gov/disability/determination.htm
Social Security Administration. (2024). Disability Evaluation Process. Retrieved from https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/evidentiary.htm
Social Security Administration. (2024). Compassionate Allowances. Retrieved from https://www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances/
Social Security Administration. (2023). Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program. Retrieved from https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_asr/
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns or questions. Consult with a licensed attorney for legal advice.
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