Quick Disability Determinations (QDD) Bias Investigation Project

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is contracting with Abt Associates to perform a research study to investigate if there is unintended inequity within the Quick Disability Determinations (QDD) process. QDD is an SSA fast-track process that uses predictive modeling to screen initial applications to identify cases where a favorable disability determination is highly likely and medical evidence is readily available.

SSA is conducting this study in support of Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. The study will investigate whether the QDD process reveals evidence of bias among groups of disability applicants by race, ethnicity, sex, age or medical condition by analyzing external and SSA disability program data.

SSA will release the final recommendations after the study's conclusion in FY 2023.

For more information about QDD please visit Social Security Online - Disability Projects QDD (ssa.gov).