The Virginia Disability Determination Services (DDS) works in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to make medical determinations on disability claims filed under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. We also work closely with the Department of Social Services (DSS) for disability claims filed under the Medicaid program.
What does disabled mean?
We consider an adult disabled if he or she has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment (or combination of impairments) that prevents him or her from doing any substantial gainful activity (SGA). The impairment(s) must also last or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months or is expected to result in death.
We consider a child under age 18 disabled if the child has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment (or combination of impairments) that causes marked and severe functional limitations. The impairment(s) must also last or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months or is expected to result in death. Lastly, the child cannot engage in any substantial gainful activity.
Assistance Programs
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Social Security Disability Insurance
Commonly known as “disability” — this program provides monthly payments to people who have a disability that stops or limits their ability to work. Learn more.
Who is it for?
Individuals may be eligible for disability benefits if they have:
- A disability or blindness, and
- Enough work history.
How do I apply?
- Or apply in person at your local Social Security office.
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Supplemental Security Income
Provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or financial resources.
Who is it for?
Adults and children may be eligible if they have:
- Little or no income, and
- Little or no resources, and
- A disability, blindness, or are age 65 or older.
How do I apply?
- Or apply in person at your local Social Security office.
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Medicaid
This program provides medical assistance for those in need.
Who is it for?
Eligibility requirements vary by program, but covered groups include children, pregnant, elderly, blind, and individuals with disabilities.
How do I apply?
- If you have questions or want to apply in person, reach out to your local department of social services for more information on Medicaid options.
The Disability Determination Process
What happens after a claimant applies for a benefit?
- For SSDI and SSI claims, the claimant’s local Social Security office will verify and determine non-medical eligibility (work credits, income, resources, etc.). Eligibility for Medicaid claims is determined by the local Social Services office.
- Eligible claims are then sent to Disability Determination Services. Our medical consultants and other trained staff work as a team to make medical determinations on whether claimants are disabled.
- Once the claimant’s case is assigned to a disability analyst, we will begin requesting and gathering information from the claimant’s doctors, hospitals, clinics, and other sources, at no cost to the claimant. At that time, an introduction letter will also be sent to the claimant, providing them with information about the process. This letter will also include their disability analyst’s direct contact information.
- The assigned disability analyst is the point of contact for questions and updates. If additional information or action is needed to process the claim, the disability analyst will reach out to the claimant and other parties involved.
- In making the determination, we will review the medical and other information we have. If we need more information to decide whether the claimant is disabled, we may arrange an exam or test. We will pay for the exam or test. We may also reimburse some travel expenses to the exam or test site based on a set rate.
- Once we have finished the review and a determination has been made, the SSDI and/or SSI claim will be returned to the claimant’s local Social Security office. Medicaid claims are returned to the local Social Services offices for additional processing. The claimant will also receive a letter to let them know what has been decided.
The timeline for this process varies widely because each claim is different.
FAQs
- Medical evidence from the claimant’s medical sources.
- Information about the claimant’s education and work history.
- When applicable, school records, which may include copies of evaluations, testing, education plans, and other important school documents, are also requested.
- When more information is needed, DDS approves and pays for a consultative examination. Community-based physicians, psychologists, and facilities supply these services.
This is determined by the Social Security Administration and is outlined on their website here.
This is determined by the Social Security Administration and is outlined on their website here.
The claimant’s total yearly earnings are used to calculate their Social Security credits. The amount needed for a credit in 2025 is $1,810. Claimants can earn up to a maximum of 4 credits per year. The amount needed to earn 1 credit automatically increases each year when average wages increase. Claimants must earn a certain number of credits to be eligible for Social Security benefits. The number of credits a claimant will need depends on their age when they apply and the type of benefit they are applying for. No one needs more than 40 credits for any Social Security benefit.
The Virginia DDS works in conjunction with SSA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) through a Cooperative Disability Investigations (CDI) unit to prevent fraud in the disability program.
For more information about CDI, OIG, or to report fraud, waste, or abuse, please visit https://oig.ssa.gov/report or call the Inspector General’s Fraud Hotline at 800-269-0271. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY 866-501-2101. You can also email our Deputy Director – Admin, Brett Fielding.
Social Security does not handle identity theft issues. If you think you have been a victim of identity theft, please contact the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC. You can report a stolen Social Security number and learn about steps to protect yourself at www.identifytheft.gov/steps.
Social Security agents will not be able to provide any additional assistance related to identity theft. If you need to speak to an FTC representative, call 1-877-438-4338.
The Social Security Administration has additional FAQs that might be helpful to you. You can read them here or contact our office.
This program is managed by the Disability Determination Services division.