Arkansas Social Security Disability Insurance and SSI

Arkansas residents who aren't able to work full-time for at least one year due to a physical or mental impairment may be eligible for federal Social Security disability benefits. The state of Arkansas doesn't provide short-term disability benefits for people who are out of work for less than one year, but if you experienced an injury or illness on the job with long-term consequences, you may qualify for workers' comp benefits.

How to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits in Arkansas

You can begin your application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in several ways.

• Apply online using Social Security's web portal. If you're filing for SSDI, you can complete the entire application online, but if you're filing for SSI, a Social Security representative will contact you for more information before you can submit your claim.
• Call 800-772-1213 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to speak with a representative. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the TTY number at 800-325-0778. Both SSDI and SSI applications can be completed over the phone.
• File in person at your local Social Security office. There are over one dozen field offices in the state of Arkansas, open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can find the closest office to you by putting your zip code into the agency's locator tool.

In order to receive SSDI or SSI, you'll first need to show that you meet the preliminary eligibility criteria for either program. SSDI eligibility is based on your work history and how much you've contributed in payroll taxes. SSI is a needs-based benefit that's available for people who have low income and assets. If you don't meet the eligibility criteria for any program, you won't be able to receive disability benefits, no matter how severe your health condition is.

Arkansas Disability Determination for Social Security Administration (AR DDSSA)

After Social Security is satisfied that you meet the financial requirements for benefits, your file is sent to the Arkansas Disability Determination for Social Security Administration (DDSSA) to decide whether you're medically eligible to receive disability. Claims examiners at the AR DDSSA review your doctors' notes to see if your medical condition meets a listed impairment or if you don't have the residual functional capacity to perform any job.

You can contact AR DDSSA with questions you have about the status of your application or to submit new medical evidence. (Keep in mind the agency doesn't issue Social Security checks or accept applications directly.) Contact information for the office is listed below.

Arkansas Disability Determination
701 Pulaski Street
Little Rock, AR 72201

Telephone: 501-682-3030 or 844-455-2755

In fiscal year 2023, claims examiners at AR DDSSA approved about 39% of initial disability applications, almost exactly the national average. If you aren't approved on your first try, you have 60 days to appeal the denial ("request reconsideration"). At this stage, a different claims examiner will review your file again and decide whether the original denial was incorrect. About 20% of disability applications in Arkansas are approved at the reconsideration level.

Disability Appeals Hearings in Arkansas

If your application is denied after reconsideration review, you can appeal further by asking for a hearing with an administrative law judge. Social Security's Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) is responsible for managing disability hearings. When you request a hearing, your case file is moved from AR DDSSA to OHO, assigned to a judge, and placed on a docket for scheduling.

There are two OHOs in Arkansas, in Fort Smith and Little Rock. Some Arkansas residents may have their hearings held at the Memphis and Shreveport OHOs. Your Notice of Hearing will tell you which office is handling your case. Below you can find contact information for each office serving Arkansas, along with the general geographic region they cover.

As of June 2024, the average wait times for a hearing in above OHOs ranged from 7 to 10 months. Judges in the four OHOs serving Arkansas issued favorable decisions (awarding benefits) in about 44% of cases.

How Much Does Arkansas Pay in SSDI or SSI?

SSI payments are set by the federal benefit rate ($943 per month in 2024). Unlike most states, Arkansas doesn't provide a supplemental payment for people who receive SSI, so your monthly SSI payment will be the federal benefit rate minus any countable income for that month. Arkansas residents who receive SSI also qualify for Medicaid. You should be enrolled automatically after you're approved for benefits.

SSDI payments max out at $3,822 per month in 2024, although the average monthly payment is much lower, at $1,537. This is because SSDI benefits are calculated based on your earnings history, which can vary significantly by beneficiary.

Disability Rights Advocacy in Arkansas

In the 1970s, Congress enacted a law in response to the discovery of widespread abuse and neglect of disabled people in public institutions. This law created a network of state organizations, called the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system, that provide legal aid to people with disabilities whose rights are at risk.

Disability Rights Arkansas is the designated P&A organization for the state of Arkansas. If you need help for an issue related to discrimination, workplace accommodations, or other infringements of your civil liberties, you can contact them for assistance using the information below.

Disability Rights Arkansas
400 W. Capitol Avenue
Suite 1200
Little Rock, AR 72201

Telephone: 501-296-1775 or 800-482-1174
Fax: 501-296-1779

You can also contact the office online using their Request Help intake form.

Getting Legal Help For Your Arkansas Disability Claim

While you aren't required to get an attorney at any stage of the disability appeals process, it's generally a good idea to have one. An experienced disability lawyer can gather the medical evidence you'll need to support your claim, communicate with Social Security on your behalf, and represent you at a hearing. Most disability attorneys offer free consultations, so don't hesitate to ask questions until you find one who's the right fit for you.