What Disability information Services Georgia Does

Disability information Services (DDS) Georgia is the state agency that decides whether you meet Social Security's medical definition of disability. When you file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on disability, your case goes to DDS Georgia, not to Social Security directly. They review your medical records, order tests if needed, and send Social Security their recommendation on whether you are disabled under federal rules.

DDS Georgia does not decide how much money you get or whether you are otherwise financially may be able to access for benefits. Social Security handles those parts. DDS Georgia's single job is medical: do your conditions prevent you from working?

The agency is part of Georgia's Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. It operates field offices across the state and processes cases for people who live in Georgia or whose cases are assigned to Georgia for processing.

Key Takeaways

  • DDS Georgia makes the medical decision on your disability case, while Social Security handles financial may be able to access and benefit amounts.
  • You do not file directly with DDS Georgia—you file with Social Security, and your case is automatically sent to DDS Georgia for medical review.
  • DDS Georgia may request medical records from your doctors, order a consultative exam, or ask you to provide additional information about your work history.
  • The medical decision process typically takes several months, and you will receive a written notice explaining whether DDS Georgia found you disabled.
  • If you disagree with DDS Georgia's decision, you can request reconsideration, which sends your case back to DDS Georgia for a fresh review.

How Your Case Reaches DDS Georgia

You start the process by filing for SSDI or SSI with Social Security—either online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. You do not contact DDS Georgia yourself. Social Security takes your process and medical history, then sends your entire file to DDS Georgia.

DDS Georgia receives thousands of cases each month. A disability examiner is assigned to your case. That examiner is not a doctor, but works with medical and vocational consultants to review whether your medical conditions and work history match Social Security's disability rules.

The examiner will look at medical records you already provided and may ask your doctors for more details. If the records are incomplete or unclear, DDS Georgia may schedule a consultative exam—a one-time appointment with a doctor or psychologist chosen by DDS Georgia, paid for by Social Security. This exam is meant to fill gaps in the medical record, not to be your main evaluation.

What DDS Georgia Reviews About Your Medical Condition

DDS Georgia uses Social Security's medical rules, called the Blue Book, to decide whether your condition is severe enough to prevent work. The Blue Book lists conditions that automatically meet the disability standard if your medical records show you have them and they are as serious as described. Examples include certain cancers, heart conditions, joint replacements, and mental health disorders.

If your condition is not in the Blue Book, or if your condition is listed but your records do not show it is as severe as the listing requires, DDS Georgia performs a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment. This is a detailed written opinion about what physical and mental work you can still do—can you sit for eight hours, lift 10 pounds, remember instructions, work around other people. The examiner uses your medical records, the consultative exam if one was done, and statements from your doctors to build this picture.

DDS Georgia then compares your RFC to the demands of your past work and to work available in the general economy. If you cannot do your past work and cannot do other work that exists in significant numbers, DDS Georgia recommends approval.

Timeline and What to Expect

Initial disability decisions in Georgia typically take 3 to 6 months from the time DDS Georgia receives your file. Some cases move faster; others take longer if medical records are hard to obtain or if a consultative exam is needed. You will not hear from DDS Georgia directly during this time unless they need more information from you.

Social Security will send you a written notice with DDS Georgia's decision. The notice will say whether you are found disabled, not disabled, or disabled only for a limited period. If you are approved, the notice will also explain your benefit amount and when payments begin. If you are denied, the notice will explain the reasons and tell you how to request reconsideration.

You can check the status of your case online through your Social Security account at ssa.gov or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Social Security can tell you whether DDS Georgia has made a decision, but Social Security cannot speed up DDS Georgia's review.

Reconsideration: What Happens If You Disagree

If DDS Georgia denies your case, you have the right to request reconsideration. This means your case goes back to DDS Georgia, and a different disability examiner reviews it from the start. Reconsideration is free and does not require a lawyer, though you can have one represent you.

To request reconsideration, you must do so within 60 days of receiving the denial notice. You can request it online through your Social Security account, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. You can submit new medical records or other evidence at this stage, and you should if your condition has worsened or if you have new treatment records that were not available during the first review.

Reconsideration also typically takes 3 to 6 months. If you are denied again, your next step is to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), which is a different part of Social Security's appeals process, not part of DDS Georgia.

Consultative Exams Ordered by DDS Georgia

If DDS Georgia orders a consultative exam, you will receive a notice in the mail telling you the date, time, and location. The exam is free to you. The doctor or psychologist will ask about your medical history, current symptoms, medications, and how your condition affects your daily life and ability to work. They will perform a basic physical or mental exam.

This exam is not meant to treat you or to be your main medical evaluation. It is meant to answer specific questions DDS Georgia has about your medical condition. The results go directly to DDS Georgia, and you will receive a copy in the mail.

If you cannot attend the scheduled exam, contact Social Security when ready to reschedule. Missing an exam without rescheduling can result in your case being denied, even if you later show you had a good reason for missing it.

How to Prepare for DDS Georgia's Review

The strongest cases have complete, recent medical records. Before you file, gather records from every doctor, mental health provider, hospital, or clinic that has treated you in the past year or two. Include records from specialists who treat your main condition. Bring these records when you file, or send them to Social Security shortly after filing.

Write down your work history—every job you have held in the past 15 years, including the dates, what you did, and how much you lifted or sat or stood. This helps DDS Georgia understand what work you have done and why you cannot do it now.

If you have a doctor who knows your condition well, ask them to write a statement about your limitations and whether you can work full-time. This statement does not have to be long, but it should be specific: instead of "the patient is limited," write "the patient cannot sit for more than two hours at a time due to back pain" or "the patient has difficulty concentrating and cannot follow multi-step instructions."

Keep Social Security and DDS Georgia informed of any changes to your address or phone number. If they cannot reach you, your case may be delayed or denied.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I contact DDS Georgia directly to check on my case?

No. DDS Georgia does not have a public phone line or office where you can walk in. All communication goes through Social Security. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about your case status. Social Security can tell you whether DDS Georgia has made a decision.

What if my doctor disagrees with DDS Georgia's decision?

Your doctor's opinion matters, but DDS Georgia makes the final medical decision based on all the evidence in your file. If your doctor disagrees with the denial, ask them to write a detailed statement explaining why they believe you cannot work. You can submit this statement when you request reconsideration. At a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, your doctor's opinion can be presented as evidence.

Does DDS Georgia make the decision about my benefit amount?

No. DDS Georgia only decides whether you are medically disabled. Social Security calculates your benefit amount based on your work history and earnings record. Social Security also decides whether you are financially may be able to access for SSI. DDS Georgia has no role in either of those decisions.

What if I was denied but my condition has gotten worse?

You can request reconsideration and submit new medical records showing that your condition has worsened. Include recent treatment records, test results, and a statement from your doctor about your current limitations. New evidence can change the outcome, especially if it shows a significant change since the first decision.

How long does reconsideration take?

Reconsideration typically takes 3 to 6 months, similar to the initial decision. The timeline depends on how quickly your doctors send records and whether a new consultative exam is needed. You can check the status of your reconsideration through your Social Security account or by calling Social Security.