Mission Statement

South Dakota Disability Determination Services is dedicated to providing excellence in determining medical eligibility for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for the people of South Dakota.

Who Are We?

Disability Determination Services (DDS) is the State Agency that makes the disability decisions for Social Security, according to federal guidelines. When Social Security added protection for the disabled in 1954, the Congress wrote into the law that the disability decision had to be made by a State Agency and not by a federal office. Social Security pays the State to run the office and make the decision. The DDS is responsible only for the medical eligibility portion of the disability claim. Social Security is responsible for the application process, any other eligibility criteria, and the calculation of benefits if awarded.

Click here to View DDS Values, Goals and General information

Disability Determination Services August 20, 2008 Report

Disability Determination Services Implementation Plan