Who makes Social Security disability decisions?

The Disability Determination Services offices, as part of the Social Security Administration, is in charge of making Social Security disability decisions, the Social Security Administration explains. The local field offices start the process and verify the accompanying medical information. The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review oversees the appeals process.

The field office is also responsible for verifying the applicant's employment, martial status and age. Once the field office has completed its part of the application process, the information goes to Disability Determination Services for a review and determination, the Social Security Administration notes. If Disability Determination Services makes an unfavorable determination, the application can appeal the decision. The decisions are overseen by an administrative law judge and, in some cases, the Disability Determination Services.