Ohio Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is available for Ohio residents who qualify based on their past work experience and their disability. 

The program is offered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), a federal agency with locations in each state to help state residents apply for and manage their benefits. Each Ohio Social Security office is responsible for determining one's eligibility for SSDI and dispersing their benefits.

Facts About Ohio

Ohio currently has a slightly higher-than-average percentage of adults with disabilities, when compared to national statistics, at 26.9%. Ohio also has more people with disabilities who are likely to be inactive, have high blood pressure, and be obese than adults with disabilities across the nation.

Fortunately, many disabilities and conditions make adults eligible for disability benefits in Ohio, including back injuries, neurological disorders, developmental disabilities, cancer, immune system conditions, and respiratory illnesses. However, it's important to get a medical diagnosis for any condition you'd like to note on your Ohio disability application.

How To Qualify for SSDI in Ohio

Ohio residents must meet specific eligibility requirements to get Social Security disability benefits. The SSA sets these requirements, but Ohio Social Security offices are responsible for determining eligibility for each applicant.

To be eligible, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen, be able to show proof of citizenship with a birth certificate, qualify by income level, and have a medically proven disability.

Each applicant should have plenty of medical evidence that supports a diagnosis for an SSA-approved disability, which may include:

• Digestive disorders
• Speech and hearing disorders
• Visual impairments or blindness
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Mental health and neurological disorders
• Cancer
• Skin conditions
• Immune disorders

SSDI also requires applicants to have enough work credits earned to qualify for benefits. Work credits come from employment, and they denote whether an individual has worked long enough and for enough hours to begin withdrawing SSDI benefits. Each person can earn up to four credits per year, and you'll need at least 40 credits to qualify for an SSDI benefit. At least 20 of those credits must be from employment within the past ten years.

How To Apply for SSDI in Ohio

An Ohio resident may apply for Social Security disability benefits through the SSA, either online, by telephone, or at their closest SSA office. There are currently 56 SSA offices throughout Ohio, located in areas like Cleveland, Medina, Akron, Toledo. Columbus, and Marietta.

The application can be lengthy, but it's important to follow each step thoroughly and provide all required documentation related to your medical condition. Doing so can help you reach a faster disability determination. If you require assistance with your application, you can appoint a representative to help. This can be a family member, attorney, or even a medical professional.

Some applications may be fast-tracked, depending on your disability. Ohio's military veterans may also have their claims expedited.

After applying for SSDI benefits in Ohio, applicants can check the status of their application on the SSA website. However, keep in mind that the SSA requires a five-month waiting time until benefits begin getting paid out, even if you are approved. The waiting period begins the first month after the SSA determines you first became disabled.

How To Appeal a Denial in Ohio

There are multiple stages of approving and denying disability claims in Ohio. Ohio citizens may appeal their SSDA denial at any stage, but the appeals process will be slightly different depending on the stage.

Either you or a disability lawyer can file an appeal for you. A Social Security disability lawyer can help navigate the process, which can sometimes be confusing and overwhelming. If appealing yourself, you may file your appeal online or by mailing the information to the address listed on your paperwork, which will likely be your closest Ohio Social Security office. You can find the addresses for local offices below.

Appeals begin with a reconsideration review by an administrative law judge, followed by the Appeals Council and a federal court review as the appeal continues through the process.

More Ohio Benefits

SSDI isn't the only form of assistance Ohio offers to citizens. Here are a few more common programs to consider applying for, depending on your situation:

SSI

SSI often gets confused with SSDI, but they're different programs offered by the SSA. Ohio SSI is for low-income children or adults with a disability that affects their ability to work or carry out important daily living tasks. Individuals 65 or older may also qualify for SSI if they don't have a disability.

You can apply for SSI through your local office, by mail, or online, but you'll need a different application than the one for SSDI to do so. Ohio SSA offices check an applicant's eligibility for both programs when they apply for one, which makes it easier to ensure you're getting the proper benefits.

Ohio Medicaid

Ohio Medicaid offers health coverage to eligible low-income residents. A person receiving Medicaid must be blind, have a disability, or be caring for someone with a disability, be responsible for a minor child, or be age 65 or older. Some groups, like children and pregnant women, are eligible for coverage in higher income brackets than others to better meet their healthcare needs.

Although not all medical services are covered, many are, including therapy for mental illness, short-term disability treatments, medical equipment, and speech-language pathology. However, some Ohio Medicaid services may require members to pay small co-pays.

Ohio Unemployment

Ohio unemployment benefits assist the state's workers who have been laid off from or lost a job through no fault of their own. The program comes from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and pays financial assistance for up to 26 weeks while the recipient looks for a new job.

To qualify for Ohio unemployment, an individual must have worked at least 20 weeks for a covered employer and be either completely or partially unemployed. Individuals must also have earned at least $243 within the required base period, or at least four of the five previous quarters.

Ohio Social Security Offices

Ohio Hearing and Appeal Offices

Ohio is in Region 5 (Chicago), which services Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.