Montana Disability Determination Services
The Montana Disability Determination Services (DDS) determines medical eligibility for Social Security Disability, making decisions using federal criteria. DDS is a part of the Disability Employment and Transitions Division in the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Vision, Mission and Core Values
Disability Determination Services is guided by a shared vision, mission, and core values.
Vision: People with disabilities are valued and supported.
Mission: We serve people with disabilities by making accurate and timely decisions to help them achieve and maintain a quality of life.
Core Values:
- We demonstrate compassion and respect for all people.
- We respond to each individual to address their unique experiences.
- We have an ethical approach to decision making.
- We make decisions with integrity while using objective medical evidence and Social Security policy.
- We collaborate with customers, partners, and each other to make accurate, thoughtful decisions.
Social Security Disability Benefits Resources: Montana
The state of Montana has 9 Social Security field offices, 1 Office of Disability Determination Services and 1 Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. Any of these offices will gladly answer any questions regarding your Montana disability claim.
Social Security Offices in Montana
Billings Office
2900 4th Ave N, Suite 304
Billings, MT 59101
Phone: 1-866-895-1795
Bozeman Office
3205 N 27th Ave
Bozeman, MT 59718
Phone: 1-877-405-5473
Butte Office
2201 Harrison Ave, Suite A
Butte, MT 59701
Phone: 1-888-632-7068
Glasgow Office
630 2nd Ave S
Glasgow, MT 59230
Phone: 1-406-228-8272
Great Falls Office
2008 23rd St. S
Great Falls, MT 59405
Phone: 1-877-583-4114
Havre Office
123 5th Ave, Suite A
Havre, MT 59501
Phone: 1-406-265-9511
Helena Office
10 W 15th Street, Suite 1600
Helena, MT 59626
Phone: 1-866-563-9496
Kalispell Office
275 Corporate Dr, Suite D
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone:1-888-487-0150
Missoula Office
3701 American Way
Missoula, MT 59808
Phone: 1-866-931-9029
Do I qualify for disability? Free Disability Evalutation
Creating an account: MySSA account is free and safe. It offers tools to help everyone, whether you get Social Security benefits or not. You can replace your Social Security card, check applications, estimate future benefits, or manage the ones you receive. Many notices are now online, so you can get updates faster instead of waiting for mail. You can also get alerts by email or text when there’s a new notice ready. This way, nothing gets lost or delayed.
Office of Disability Determination Services
The Office of Disability Determination Services is responsible for making decisions on the Montana disability claims made by individuals. Decisions are based on:
- Medical Records
- Medical and Psychological Evidence
- Continuing Disability review
- The applicant’s own Statement
Montana Office of Disability Determination Services
Disability Determination Bureau
P.O. Box 4189
Helena, Montana 59604-4189
Telephone: 406-444-3054
Fax: 800-545-3054
Social Security Disability programs
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Disability Insurance gives money and health benefits to people who are disabled. To qualify, they must also have paid Social Security taxes from their work earnings.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) helps adults and kids who are blind or disabled by giving them money and medical benefits. To qualify, they must also meet rules about income and resources.
Social Security definition of disability
Social Security has a strict definition of disability. It only covers full disability, not partial or short-term disability. To qualify, you must be unable to do your old job, unable to adjust to a new job because of your health, and your disability must last at least one year or be expected to cause death. Social Security assumes families have other ways to get help for short-term disabilities, like savings, insurance, or workers’ compensation.
For more information, visit the Social Security website.
Visit the SSA website at www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices to apply online.
Do I qualify for disability? Free Disability Evalutation
How DDS determines disability
When you apply for disability, a trained examiner and medical consultant review your case. They ask your doctors for details about your condition, like how it limits your work and daily life, when it started, and the treatments you’ve received. Doctors don’t decide if you’re disabled—that decision is made by the review team.
If more evidence is needed, they may arrange and pay for special exams. The team uses a five-step process to decide:
- Are you working and earning over $1,600 a month? If yes, you’re not considered disabled.
- Is your condition severe and does it limit basic work activities? If not, your claim is denied.
- Is your condition on a list of severe impairments? If yes, you’re approved. If not, they check if it’s just as severe as one on the list.
- Can you still do the work you’ve done in the past 15 years? If yes, you’re denied.
- Can you do other kinds of work? If no, you’re approved. If yes, you’re denied.
The process takes different amounts of time, depending on how fast your medical records are sent. Once a decision is made, you’ll get a letter with the result.
Disagree with a recent decision?
Please follow this link for more details if you do not agree with a disability decision that was made. Appeal a decision here.
Request reconsideration
Start by asking us to reconsider a decision we made.
Hearing with a judge
Request a hearing with an administrative law judge if you don't agree with our response to your request for reconsideration.
Review of hearing decision
Request a review with the Appeals Council if you don't agree with the decision made by the judge in your hearing.
File federal district court action
File a federal district court action with the U.S. District Court if you don't agree with the response from the Appeals Council.
Visit the SSA website at www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices to apply online.
Do I qualify for disability? Free Disability Evalutation
Information for medical providers
Doctors and health professionals may be asked by Disability Determination Services (DDS) to send copies of their patients' medical records to help decide Social Security disability claims. DDS pays for these records.
Electronic Records Express (ERE) lets providers send records electronically, making the process faster and easier. It reduces delays, saves labor, and lowers paper costs. Providers can upload records using a secure website with a web browser.
File types accepted: .wpd, .doc, .jpg, .bmp, .txt, .xls, .pdf, .tif, .tiff as well as .zip files that contain any of these file types.
For a DEMO of this site, please visit: http://www.ssa.gov/ere/ere_demo_public/index.html.
Montana Critical Access Hospitals
Fax
Use your office fax to send records any time, day or night. Fax software programs may also be used if you can make the first page of the fax the DDS bar-coded cover sheet letter. The bar-coded cover sheet must always be page one. The faxes are digitized for claims processing.
If you have a barcode- 1-866-683-2367
If you do not have a barcode- 406-444-3564
If you have a billing question/invoice- 833-433-0131
Billing and payment
Questions about billing or payments for medical records should be directed to: 800-545-3054 option 2.
Become a Disability Determination Examiner
Disability Determination Examiners for the Social Security Administration help Montanans applying for disability benefits. They decide cases, interpret rules, investigate claims, and provide customer service. Learn more about the position in the video below or look for openings on the Montana Division of Human Resources website or state of Montana job opportunities at State of Montana Careers
Montana Disability Determination Services (DDS) reviews medical parts of disability claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). DDS doesn’t take applications directly; Social Security offices send them for medical review. This page explains how Social Security defines disability, how to apply, and DDS’s process. Open positions can be found on Montana Division of Human Resources or State of Montana Careers websites.
Consulting for the Montana DDS
In Montana, doctors and psychologists help Disability Determination Services (DDS) by performing consultative exams (CEs) to review disability claims. DDS first tries to get information from the patient’s own doctors. If that’s not enough, DDS arranges for CEs to gather additional details.
CEs include specific tests, like X-rays or lab work, or full exams, such as vision, hearing, physical, or mental evaluations. DDS picks providers based on location, availability, and exam needs. Providers don’t decide if someone is disabled—they only provide missing medical details. These exams help DDS decide claims accurately and on time. Performing these exams comes with many benefits:
- No treating physician relationship is required
- No treatment is involved
- No impairment rating or functional capacity evaluation
- One-time exam with no follow-up needed
- Prompt payment
- Flexible hours
- Electronic option for submitting exam reports
- Providing a valuable service to the underserved community
Consultative exams (CEs) are free for the person being evaluated. Providers send payment vouchers directly to Disability Determination Services (DDS). All providers must be licensed in Montana. CEs don’t involve treatment or create a doctor-patient relationship. They also don’t decide if someone is disabled—they only provide medical evidence to help with that decision.
DDS offers flexible hours for exams, pays providers within 30 days, and lets them submit invoices and reports electronically. These exams support people with disabilities and help the State of Montana.
For more information about CE report requirements, read SSA’s Consultative Examinations: A Guide for Health Professionals.
Current CE provider recruitment needs, statewide
The DDS is looking for licensed medical professionals to conduct CEs in Montana. Qualified medical sources must be equipped to perform the examination and not be barred from participating in our programs. The DDS is recruiting medical sources for Consultative Examinations in the following specialties:
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Optometrists
- Physicians
- Advanced Practiced Registered Nurses
- Physician Assistants
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Audiologists
For any questions or more information about submitting your records electronically, or to obtain a PIN and password to use the secure web site, please contact the Montana DDS:
Disability Determinations Service
Lisa French
Business Manager
Montana Disability Determination services
PO Box 4189
Helena MT 59604
Toll free: 1-800-545-3054
Fax: 1-866-683-2367
Email: Lisa.French@ssa.gov