If you live in Arkansas and are unable to work because of a disabling physical or mental condition, you could be eligible for federal Social Security disability benefits, but Arkansas does not provide short-term disability benefits (nor does it provide a state supplement for SSI recipients). If you suffered an injury or illness at work with long-term consequences, you can collect Arkansas workers' comp benefits.
While you apply for federal disability benefits through your local Social Security office, your file is then sent to Arkansas' Disability Determination for Social Security Administration (DDSSA). This Arkansas state agency decides your medical eligibility for Social Security disability (SSDI) and SSI. You can call DDSSA with questions you have about your application after you apply. Here is DDSSA's contact information.
Arkansas Disability Determination
701 Pulaski Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-682-3030
If your initial claim is denied, your next step is ask DDSSA to reconsider its decision. If your request for reconsideration is denied, your next step is to ask for a hearing in front of a Social Security judge. These hearings are managed by Social Security's Office of Hearings Operations (OHO). There are two hearing offices in Arkansas, in Fort Smith and Little Rock, and the Memphis and Shreveport office serve some Arkansas residents. Your local Social Security office can tell you the hearing office you will go to for your hearing.
SSI recipients in Arkansas automatically qualify for Medicaid. You will automatically be enrolled in Medicaid after you are approved for benefits.
Arkansas's Disability Rights Center provides assistance and advocacy for Arkansans with disabilities. Here is its contact information:
Disability Rights Center
40o W. Capitol Ave
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-296-1775 Voice/TDD
800-482-1174 (Toll Free)
The disability rights center, however, will not provide you with legal representation for your disability appeal hearing. If you need to appeal a disability denial, you can locate an attorney to handle your disability case in Arkansas by using our directory of Arkansas disability attorneys.
Updated August 28, 2019
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