Ohio SSDI and SSI Benefits

If you live in Ohio and have a health issue that makes you unable to work, you might qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI is available to disabled adults who have enough "work credits" based on their earnings history, while SSI is needs-based and subject to certain income and asset limitations.

Additionally, you'll need to show that you have a medical condition that keeps you from earning at or above the level of substantial gainful activity (around $1,550 per month) for at least twelve months. Ohio isn't one of the states that provides disability benefits for employees who can't work for a shorter period of time, but if you have private long-term disability benefits, you may be eligible for an illness or injury that you recover from within twelve months.

How Can I Apply for Disability in Ohio?

You have several different options you can use to apply for disability benefits.

Apply Online at SSA.gov

If you're filing for SSDI, you can complete your entire application online. You'll need to provide your Social Security number and basic personal information such as your address and phone number, information about marriages, other names you have used, and your work history. You'lll also need to provide the names and contact information for your doctors.

Call the National Social Security Hotline

You can apply for both SSDI and SSI by calling 800-772-1212 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and speaking with a Social Security representative. (Deaf and hard of hearing people can call the TTY line at 800-325-0778.)

Make an Appointment at a Social Security Field Office

Both SSDI and SSI applicants can file in person at their local Social Security field office. There are about 60 field offices in Ohio, and you can find the one nearest by entering your zip code in the office locator tool. Most offices in Ohio are open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Make sure you call the office ahead of time to see if you need to make an appointment.

Ohio Disability Determination Services

Ohio's Division of Disability Determination (DDD) is the state agency that works with Social Security to determine whether you meet the medical criteria for disability. Claims examiners at the DDD will collect and review your medical information and may schedule consultative examinations for you as well.

The DDD is a department of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, which has offices in communities across Ohio. However, the central DDS office is located in Columbus. You can find the address and phone number below:

Division of Disability Determination
150 East Campus View Boulevard
Suite 300
Columbus, OH 43235

Telephone: 614-438-1200 or 800-282-4536

For fiscal year 2023, claims examiners in Ohio approved about 38% of initial disability applications, almost exactly the national average. If your disability application isn't approved the first time, you have 60 days from when you receive your denial letter to appeal the decision by submitting a request for reconsideration. At the reconsideration level, a different claims examiner at DDD will review the initial decision to determine whether it was correct.

Only around 14% of Ohio disability claims are approved after reconsideration, but if you're denied again, you can ask for a hearing with an administrative law judge—where you're statistically most likely to get benefits.

Social Security Disability Hearings and Appeals Offices in Ohio

Social Security's Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) is the agency responsible for scheduling and conducting disability hearings. Your file will be assigned to a judge whose staff will contact you about "developing the record" (making sure all the necessary evidence is submitted) in preparation for your hearing.

Ohio has six OHOs. If your hearing is scheduled in-person, you'll need to show up at the appropriate office at the date and time printed on your Notice of Hearing. Contact information for each OHO is located below.

As of April 2024, the average wait time in Ohio between requesting and conducting a hearing is between 7 and 8.5 months. Judges in Ohio issued favorable decisions (awarding benefits) around 47% of the time, although this exact percentage varied between offices, ranging from 39% in the Akron OHO to 52% in the Dayton OHO.

What Will My SSI and SSDI Payments Be in Ohio?

People receiving SSI benefits can receive up to $943 per month (in 2024) from the federal government, minus any countable income. Depending on your living situation, you may be eligible for the Residential State Supplement benefit from the state of Ohio.

The Residential State Supplement provides financial assistance of several hundred dollars per month (or more) to disabled adults who live in qualifying assisted living or group homes. In order to be eligible for the supplement, you must be:

• age 18 or older
• eligible or already enrolled in Medicaid
• currently receiving SSI or SSDI benefits
• you have income of no more than $1,800 and assets up to $2,000
• need a protective level of care (which is presumed if you're applying from a nursing facility), and
• you're currently in an "eligible living arrangement" (such as a group home, residential care facility, or halfway house).

Ohio doesn't provide a state supplement for people receiving SSDI benefits. In 2024, you can receive a maximum of $3,822 in monthly SSDI payments, but the average benefit is much smaller, around $1,537. To learn more about Social Security SSDI calculations, read our article on how much SSDI pays.

Am I Eligible for Medicaid in Ohio?

Most Ohio residents who qualify for SSI also qualify for Medicaid. In Ohio, people who receive Medicaid must join a managed care plan—an insurance company that's licensed by the Ohio Department of Insurance to provide health care to Medicaid beneficiaries.

You can enroll in Medicaid by applying online, calling the Consumer Hotline at 800-324-8680, or visiting your local Job and Family Services office to submit your application in person. Learn more about what you need to apply at the Ohio Department of Medicaid website.

Should I Hire an Attorney?

Because the disability determination process is challenging, if you're denied benefits and have to appeal, it makes sense to talk to a disability lawyer. Your chances of winning benefits at your hearing increase significantly if you're represented by an attorney, especially one who is familiar with the judges in each Ohio hearing office and can tailor your case to the judge's particular concerns.