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.
How to help your disability caseworker
Doctors’ offices and hospitals are so busy that they sometimes delay in responding to requests for your medical records; and in some cases, just plain don’t respond. Stay in contact with your disability caseworker by calling once a week to see if your medical sources are responding to medical records requests. Don’t annoy your caseworker by calling every day. If your treating sources are not responding, this is a point where you can step in and make a huge difference in your claim. Call your doctors and encourage them to comply with the medical records request. If necessary, make an appointment with your doctors to explain to them why it is important to supply your caseworker with these records.
Caseworkers sometimes use special forms to get information from treating sources if the records they receive from them aren’t detailed enough. If necessary, you should offer to physically bring this form to your doctor’s office, and see if your doctor will complete the form while you are there. This action on your part can significantly speed the processing of your claim.
Disability caseworkers in the Disability Office are overwhelmed with cases and under intense pressure to get cases completed. That is a bad combination. So the more you do to make their job easier, the better. Make sure you assist him or her in getting all pertinent medical records, especially those that relate to your impairment. Social Security workers will give you release forms to sign so they can request your medical records.