Oklahoma Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a form of disability insurance available for adults in Oklahoma who are suffering from some form of disability that stops them from earning a living as they would if they did not have the condition.

Conducted by the Social Security Administration, the program is available for adults with disabilities who have paid into the Social Security trust fund by being employed.

This article contains everything you need to know about disability payments in Oklahoma as well as information about other benefits such as the Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and unemployment benefits.

Facts about Oklahoma

SSDI benefits can be accessed by all qualified residents of Oklahoma.

The CDC reports that 33.9% of Oklahoma adults have disabilities. 18.0% of the adults in Oklahoma have mobility disabilities, 9.5% have problems with independent living, 15.2% have issues with cognition, 9.3% have hearing-related disabilities and 6.6 % of the adults in Oklahoma have vision-related disabilities. The CDC also reports that Oklahoma disability health care costs are approximately 4.7 billion per annum.

The Social Security Administration reports that 96,804 people received SSDI benefits in Oklahoma in 2019. 

The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services has a complete guide on all disability services and benefits that the state provides.

How To Qualify for SSDI in Oklahoma

The Social Security Administration oversees SSDI in Oklahoma. The administration conducts SSDI through the Disability Determination Services, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.

In Oklahoma, SSDI qualification requirements are in line with federal disability laws. The DDS determines which SSDI claims are approved. The law states that individuals with disabilities who pay into the Social Security Trust Fund per the stipulations of the Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) can receive disability benefits.

A surviving spouse may also lay claim to the disability benefits of a deceased spouse who was receiving or was qualified to receive disability benefits. In addition, if you are an Oklahoma veteran with disabilities, you can receive disability payments from both SSDI and Veteran Affairs.

A person with disabilities can get reasonable accommodation from an employer so they can keep working. However, if they earn over $1,310 ($2,190 for blinds) per month, they would no longer be qualified for SSDI.

Another important exemption is a person with a short-term disability. If your disability has not or will not last up to one year, you are not qualified to apply for disability benefits under federal law.

How To Apply for SSDI in Oklahoma

You can apply for a Social Security disability claim in Oklahoma by paying a visit to any of the 18 local Social Security offices in the state. You can fill your disability service online or apply via phone call.

Adults with developmental disabilities, disabilities from years of military service, and others are urged to apply for SSDI benefits. In Oklahoma, every disability application will pass through the Social Security field office and the disability determination division of the DRS. The DDS disability examiner will examine an applicant to determine if such an applicant genuinely qualifies for disability payments.

After you submit your form, you might have to wait for several months before getting approval. If your application is approved, you won’t start receiving payments until after five months.

How To Appeal a Denial in Oklahoma

The approval rate of disability benefits in Oklahoma is fairly low, especially at the initial stage. However, applicants can appeal up to four times.

First, you can request a reconsideration of your disability application. At this stage, applicants are allowed to provide additional information or documents that can help their application.

If the reconsideration still does not provide a desirable result, you can apply for a hearing. An administrative judge will hear your suit. You can employ the services of a Social Security disability lawyer from a reputable law firm to argue your case.

If the appeal hearing fails, you can proceed to apply for a review with the Social Security Appeals Council. If that also fails, you can file a civil lawsuit within sixty days after you receive the verdict of the appeals council. Your disability attorney will be of assistance if you receive a denial.

More Oklahoma Benefits

In addition to SSDI benefits, Oklahoma residents can get SSI, Medicaid, and unemployment benefits. These services are designed to help residents of Oklahoma who have challenges purchasing basic needs and paying for medical care.

Apply for SSI in Oklahoma

Low-income earners and children and adults with disabilities may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income. A worker who cannot afford basic needs and healthcare costs can get SSI benefits in Oklahoma.

Low-income earners who have no disabilities but are 65 or older can also receive SSI in the state. Supplemental Security Income payments are less than SSDI compensation and there is a shorter waiting period.

Beneficiaries can start receiving SSI payments a few days after the approval of their application.

Another difference between SSDI and SSI is that families of the beneficiaries of SSI cannot receive payments on behalf of a family member. However, if you are a disadvantaged student, you can apply for SSI to get a higher education.

Oklahoma Medicaid

Oklahoma Medicaid benefits are available for low-income residents of Oklahoma who cannot afford healthcare costs due to their low incomes. Oklahoma’s Medicaid provider is SoonerCare.

Pregnant women, people with visual disabilities, residents responsible for a child of eighteen years old or younger, residents that have disabilities or are responsible for a family member with disabilities, and residents who are at least 65 years old can benefit from Medicaid services if they cannot afford it on their own.

Oklahoma Unemployment

Another benefit is the Oklahoma unemployment benefits. This benefit is available for residents who lose their jobs as a result of situations beyond their control. The unemployment insurance services are administered by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, which operates an online portal for administering unemployment benefits.

Oklahoma Social Security Offices

Oklahoma Hearing and Appeal Offices

Oklahoma is in Region 6 (Dallas), which services Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.