The Social Security District Office, known as the DO, the field office, and the FO, is simply the local social security office where a claimant can file an application, or request an appeal of a denial of benefits. The District Office does not process disability medical evaluations, all disability claims are handled by disability examiners out of a local State disability determination services. Those cases will ultimately be returned from the DDS to the local SSA district offices if benefits are to be paid out to the claimant.