The program follows the Code of Federal Regulations to determine disability for both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI).

Disability Determination Services does not take applications for disability benefits. Applications for disability benefits are filed at any of the 27 local Social Security offices throughout the state or online at SSA.GOV.

The DDS program does not determine technical eligibility for SSI or SSDI. Technical eligibility is determined by the local Social Security office and is based on credits earned by working for SSDI and income and asset levels for SSI.

The department follows federal regulations and standards for performance accuracy and processing time. The mission of the DDS is to make accurate, timely and cost-effective disability determinations for citizens of Kentucky.

The program also includes the Medical Review Team who determines medical eligibility using state regulations for the following state public assistance programs: KTAP (Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program) and Family Medicaid (based on the deprivation of incapacity) and Adult Medicaid (based on disability). The Medical Review Team can be reached by emailing DISMRT@ky.gov​. For more information on benefit applications, please reach out to your local Department for Community Based Services office (DCBS), online through the self-service portal at kynect.ky.gov