Tennessee Social Security Disability Benefits and SSI

Tennessee residents who aren't able to work full-time due to an injury or illness may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Even though these disability programs are offered by the federal Social Security Administration, the state of Tennessee helps the agency review applications to determine who meets Social Security's definition of disability.

Who Is Eligible for Disability Benefits in Tennessee?

Because SSDI and SSI are federal programs, the qualifications for these benefits don't vary between states. You'll first need to establish that you're legally allowed to receive benefits under the preliminary eligibility requirements for either SSDI or SSI.

• SSDI eligibility is based on your work history, earnings record, and how much you've contributed to the program by way of payroll taxes. As an insurance program, you'll need to demonstrate that you've earned enough in work credits to be covered for your disabling condition.
• SSI eligibility is a needs-based program that doesn't depend on how much you've worked. The benefit is available to disabled adults and children who have income and assets below a certain threshold. You'll need to show that you don't earn much money or have many resources in order to qualify for SSI.

If you aren't eligible for either program, you won't be able to get disability, no matter how severe your medical condition is. If you're not sure whether you meet the above requirements, apply anyway. Social Security will let you know if you're ineligible due to a technical denial, which you may be able to appeal.

How Do You Apply for Disability Benefits in TN?

You can file for disability in three different ways in Tennessee, depending on the type of benefit you're applying for:

• File your entire application online for SSDI at Social Security's web portal. (You can start an application for SSI online, but you'll need to finish it over the phone or in person.)
• Apply for both SSDI and SSI over the phone by calling 800-772-1213 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you're deaf or hard-of-hearing, you can use the TTY number at 800-325-0778.
• Go in person to your local Social Security field office. Tennessee has about 30 different offices, open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., where representatives can help you with your application. Some offices may require that you make an appointment in advance.

Once you've submitted your application and Social Security is satisfied that you meet the financial eligibility requirements for SSDI or SSI, your file will be sent to Tennessee's state disability determination agency to decide whether you're medically eligible for benefits.

Tennessee Disability Determination Services (DDS)

At Tennessee Disability Determination Services (DDS), a claims examiner will review your doctor's notes to determine whether you meet a medical listing or have a residual functional capacity for any type of work. DDS is a section within the Tennessee Department of Human Services. You can contact the office with questions about your pending disability claim by calling 800-342-1117.

It can take several months for you to receive an initial decision from DDS. For fiscal year 2023, claims examiners at the TN DDS approved around 37% of disability applications at the initial level. If you aren't approved at this stage, you have 60 days to appeal the denial by requesting that DDS reconsider their original decision. Only about 14% of reconsideration reviews in Tennessee result in approval, but you can appeal further by asking for a disability hearing.

Social Security Disability Appeals in Tennessee

The Social Security Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) is responsible for scheduling and conducting disability hearings. Once you submit a hearing request, the OHO handling claims for your geographic area assigns your case to an administrative law judge who will be present at your disability hearing.

There are six hearing offices in Tennessee. You can find the contact information for the OHO handling your case below.

As of May 2024, the average wait time for a hearing in Tennessee is around 7 months. Judges at OHOs in Tennessee issued favorable decisions (awarding benefits) in about 48% of cases.

How Much Does Disability Pay in Tennessee?

The amount of your monthly disability benefit depends on several factors—mainly, whether you're approved for SSDI or SSI. SSDI recipients can receive a maximum of $3,822 per month in 2024, although the average monthly payment is much lower, at $1,537. This is because your SSDI benefit is calculated based on your wage history, which varies greatly between recipients.

If you're awarded SSI, every month you'll receive a payment equal to the federal benefit rate ($943 in 2024) minus any countable income you have for that month. Unlike most other states, Tennessee doesn't add a supplementary state payment onto the federal SSI payment. However, SSI recipients usually also qualify for other government benefits, such as housing assistance, food stamps, and Medicaid (TennCare).

How to Apply for TennCare

The easiest way to apply for TennCare is by going online to the TennCare Connect website. You can also download a paper application to complete. The application is about 16 pages, including instructions. When you've finished, you can fax the application to 855-315-0669 or mail it to the following address:

TennCare Connect
P.O. Box 305240
Nashville, TN 37230-5240

You can also call 855-259-0701 to apply over the phone. If you have hearing or speech difficulties, you can call the Tennessee Relay Service at 800-848-0298 and they will connect you to a representative at TennCare.

TN Disability Advocacy Organizations

In 1975, Congress passed a law creating a network of disability rights organizations in response to reports of widespread abuse and neglect in group homes for disabled people. State agencies in the Protection and Advocacy System (P&A) provide a wide range of services meant to safeguard the dignity and independence of disabled people.

Disability Rights TN is the official P&A organization for Tennessee. You can contact them if you need help with issues involving employment, public benefits, or disability discrimination, among others. Disability Rights TN has three offices located throughout the state. Contact information for each office is listed below.

You can also call the Disability Rights TN main intake number at 800-342-1660 or email them at [email protected].

Do I Need to Get a Disability Lawyer?

You aren't required to have an attorney at any stage of the disability process, but it's generally a smart idea to have one. Your chances of winning increase if you're represented by an attorney, who can gather and submit important documents on your behalf, handle communications with Social Security staff, and cross-examine expert witnesses at a disability hearing. Many disability lawyers offer free consultations, so you can ask around to find a lawyer who's a good fit for you.