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Division of Disability Determination Services

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

The Division of Disability Determination Services (DDDS) is an agency of the State of Washington. Under Social Security regulations, the DDDS disability specialists, staff physicians, and psychologists determine eligibility of Washington applicants for three disability programs:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Non-Grant Medical Assistance (NGMA)

The Washington DDDS has three branch offices located in Olympia, Seattle, and Spokane to serve disability applicants of Washington State. The DDDS employs about 250 people and receives nearly 1700 new claims each week. The following claims are processed in the Washington DDDS:

• Initial Applications
• Reconsiderations - 1st appeal of denial
• Continuing Disability Reviews - periodic reviews to determine if those who are on benefits still qualify.
• Disability Hearings - face to face informal hearing as part of the appeal of Continuing Disability Review cessation.
• DSHS Non-Grant Medical Assistance

DEFINITION OF DISABILITY

An individual must be unable to engage in any substantial gainful work activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which is expected to last for 12 continuous months or result in death.

• Partial or temporary disabilities which are recognized in many other benefit programs do not qualify for SSDI, SSI or NGMA.
• A doctor's opinion that an individual is unable to work is not enough for a determination of eligibility. The impairment must be demonstrated through medical signs, symptoms, and laboratory or other test findings.
• The documentation of the medical impairment must be sufficiently complete for the DDDS to evaluate severity, functional restrictions, and expected duration of the impairment.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit www.ssa.gov/disability or find a social security office near you.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE DDDS?

Applications for SSDI and SSI are filed at local Social Security Administration (SSA) offices. Applications for NGMA disability are filed at Community Social Service offices (CSO). If the case meets the work credit (SSDI) or income/asset criteria (SSI or NGMA), the case is sent to the DDDS for development of the medical evidence and for a medical determination of disability. A disability specialist is assigned the case and begins development by requesting all medical and non-medical evidence listed by the applicant. As the information is received, the disability specialists, who have doctors available for consultation, review the evidence and analyze it against the Social Security Disability Regulations. If the regulations are not met, a function by function assessment is prepared. Age, education, and past work experience are also considered in the disability decision. After a decision is made, the case file is returned to the Social Security Administration office.

HOW DO I GET COPIES OF MY RECORDS?

The DDDS can send a copy of any examination we purchase during the course of your disability decision to your treating source or third party, while we are processing your claim. You may contact your adjudicator for instructions on completing the proper authorization. Once a decision is made, all requests for information must be submitted to the Social Security Administration. For Non-Grant Medical Assistance records, contact your Social Worker at the DSHS Community Service Office.