Their purpose is to make decisions on disability eligibility for the Social Security Administration (SSA).
DDS stands for Disability Determination Services. The DDS is a state agency funded by the United States Federal Government. Their purpose is to make decisions on disability eligibility for the Social Security Administration (SSA).
When you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your application is submitted to a local Social Security Office. The Social Security Administration will make sure you meet some of the basic qualifications for SSDI or SSI and then send your case to the State DDS office to have your claim for disability assessed. DDS will either approve or deny your disability claim and then return the results back to the Social Security Administration for final processing.
When the DDS receives a disability case, it is assigned to an examiner who will be responsible for deciding if the applicant meets the Social Security’s definition of disabled. The examiner will read over your application for SSDI or SSI and will request your medical records from the sources you stated in your application. If the examiner feels that your medical records are not recent, or if your medical records do not address all the symptoms you listed on your application, then DDS might send you to one or more physicians for a medical evaluation. The DDS will pay for these medical visits.
The job of the DDS examiner is not just to decide if you are disabled, but to decide if your disability would prevent you from doing any kind of work that would allow you to earn an acceptable income.
Below is a list of DDS offices in California:
Disability Determination Service Division
Covina Branch
P.O. Box 6118
Covina, CA 91722-6118
Professional Relations Officer
626-732-8100
Disability Determination Service Division
Central Valley Branch
P.O. Box 28931
Fresno, CA 93729-9835
Professional Relations Officer
559-440-5000
Disability Determination Service Division
Sierra Branch
P.O. Box 28937
Fresno, CA 93720-8937
Professional Relations Officer
559-440-5200
Disability Determination Service Division
Los Angeles North Branch
P.O. Box 54800
Los Angeles, CA 90054-0800
Professional Relations Officer
213-736-7000
Disability Determination Service Division
Los Angeles West Branch
P.O. Box 60999
Los Angeles, CA 90060-0999
Professional Relations Officer
213-736-7500
Disability Determination Service Division
Oakland Branch
P.O. Box 24225
Oakland, CA 94623-1225
Professional Relations Officer
510-622-3506
Disability Determination Service Division
Roseville Branch
P.O. Box 619020
Roseville, CA 95678-9861
Professional Relations Officer
916-774-4100
Disability Determination Service Division
Sacramento Branch
P.O. Box 997120
Sacramento, CA 95899-7120
Professional Relations Officer
916-263-5000
Disability Determination Service Division
La Jolla Branch
P.O. Box 85501
San Diego, CA 92186-5501
Professional Relations Officer
619-278-4550
Disability Determination Service Division
San Diego Branch
P.O. Box 85326
San Diego, CA 92186-5326
Professional Relations Officer
619-278-4300
Contact Us
If you have any questions about DDS or Social Security Disability, make an appointment for a free consultation with an experienced disability attorney. For assistance, schedule a free consultation at our office by calling 1-888-855-2948.