If you become disabled and live in Alabama, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). While SSDI and SSI are both federal programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), Alabama does things differently than in other states.
Alabama’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) agency is the office that decides whether you are disabled, according to Social Security’s rules. After your initial application is complete, questions about your case should be directed to DDS. There are DDS offices in Mobile and Birmingham. Here is their contact information.
DDS
P.O. Box 830300
Birmingham, AL 35283
(205) 989-2100
DDS
2000 Bay Front Rd
Mobile, AL 36605
(251) 433-2820
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 2371
Mobile, AL 36615
The SSA chose Alabama as one of the states to participate in its project to streamline the appeals to initial disability decisions. As part of this project, the Reconsideration, the first step in the appeals process, was removed. As a result, in Alabama, there are three steps to the appeals process.
Step 1: Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing. At this hearing, a judge will consider any new evidence and will review the decision made by Alabama DDS. Hearing wait times are typically over a year in Alabama, partially due to the elimination of the Reconsideration step.
The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) is the office that handles all appeals processes for disability claims. There are ODAR offices in Florence, Montgomery, Birmingham, and Mobile. To find out which is your hearing office, you can call the regional ODAR office at (404)562-1182.
If you receive SSI, the federal monthly benefit amount for an individual is $750 and $1,125 per couple, but whether you receive this full amount depends on your income.
Alabama also offers additional payments for those receiving SSI and using home health care or living in a treatment center. See the table below for the additional amounts (called a state supplement).
Living Situation |
Individual |
Couple |
Receiving Independent Home-Life Care |
$56-60 |
$112-$120 |
Receiving Specialized Independent Home-Life Care |
$60 |
$120 |
Living in a CP Treatment Center |
$196 |
$392 |
When filing a Social Security disability claim or appealing a decision, it usually makes sense to hire a lawyer who is familiar with the Social Security laws and how they are different in Alabama. You can arrange a free consultation with an Alabama disability lawyer here.