Each state is responsible for providing an in-depth and substantive review of adjudicated claims for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Disability Income benefits. This subchapter provides state DDSs with discretionary guidelines for designing a Quality Assurance (QA) function to ensure that disability determinations are made accurately and promptly.

While end-of-line reviews help DDSs measure the effectiveness of procedures, practices, and training, a more comprehensive in-line review approach is needed to fully evaluate and maintain the quality of a DDS’s product. Experience has shown that a QA system involving the full range of QA activities is a valuable tool for ensuring accurate and timely disability determinations. To be most effective, QA should form a total system that includes review, analysis, and action.

DDS Quality Assurance (QA) is a system designed to detect and correct errors or problems and to promote quality in all aspects of DDS claims processing. Quality includes both the accuracy and timeliness of the disability determination.