There is an organization within Social Security called the Quality Review Board, also known internally as the Disability Quality Branch (DQB). The DQB samples initial and reconsideration determinations from state DDS agencies to ensure that Social Security’s disability rules and regulations are being interpreted and implemented properly by the various state DDS agencies – a quality control function.

The SSA do not notify the claimant or the representative when a case goes to quality review. If your claim is overdue for a determination from DDS, it may be at quality review. The local field office with jurisdication over the claim can tell you if the claim is at quality review. The quality review process often takes 2-3 weeks. The claim is then either returned to DDS for further review, or the DDS determination is left in place, and the claim is transmitted to the local office.