How Do I Apply for Disability Services in Iowa?

An outline of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim process from the Iowa Disability Determination Services (DDS).

1

Complete an application

File a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim online or at local Social Security Office near you.

Apply online Find a local field office in Iowa
2

Disability Determination Services examines the claim

Your local field office sends the claim to Disability Determination Services (DDS) where it is assigned to a disability examiner.

A disability examiner is a DDS employee who reviews your application. They will look at your medical and employment records to figure out whether you are eligible for services. 

Disability criteria are set by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

3

If we need more information

  • The disability examiner may contact you for more information about your disability.
  • The disability examiner may ask for advice from in-house medical or mental-health consultants. These are licensed doctors, contracted by DDS, who help assesd an applicant’s physical or mental disability.
  • DDS may schedule you for a Consultative Examination (CE). A Consultative Examination is an exam to gather more information about your disability. It is ordered and paid for by DDS.
  • An independent consultant creates a CE report and returns it to the DDS for review.
4

Determination

Once they have all the information they need, the disability examiner decides whether you are eligible for services, based on Federal regulations.

This is called making a determination.

5

Notification

The Social Security Administration (SSA) notifies you of the final determination.