New York Disability Benefits

New York Disability Services provides New Yorkers with access to both state and federal benefits. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs that provide financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to a disability.

Though these benefit programs are federally funded, eligibility is determined at the state level by the Division of Disability Determinations in Albany, a branch of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). New York has 67 Social Security offices throughout the state, as well as eight Offices of Hearings and Appeals (OHA).

In addition to federal benefits and services, New York residents may also qualify for state unemployment benefits, short-term disability, paid family leave, Medicaid, or workers’ compensation for total and partial disability claims.

Facts About New York

New Yorkers with disabilities make up nearly 25% of the state’s population, with most conditions being mobility-related or a mental disability. New Yorkers with disabilities are more likely than their non-disabled counterparts to be obese and over twice as likely to have diabetes, heart disease, and smoke.

New York state has a relatively high approval rating for first-time disability claims, with around 57% receiving benefits with their initial application. Those who don’t receive SSI or SSDI benefits on the first round can appeal the decision as well as pursue short-term disability coverage with the state.

How To Qualify for SSDI in New York

New Yorkers must meet the following federal disability criteria to qualify for a monthly benefit from SSDI:

• Have worked long enough to pay into your Social Security benefits
• You cannot reasonably switch over to another line of work. Note however that if you are working, your current employer is required to make a reasonable accommodation to assist you in performing your job.
• Your medical condition limits your ability to work for at least 12 months. This can be a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability.
• Your condition is classified as “severe” by the SSA. They have compiled a comprehensive list that outlines all acceptable conditions. It is highly recommended you consult this list to ensure your disability is included or else you will not be approved for benefits.

Meeting the criteria does not guarantee you disability insurance coverage. Your disability claim will still be reviewed by the Division of Disability Determinations.

How To Apply for SSDI in New York

You can apply for Social Security Disability in one of three ways: online, over the phone, or in person. To apply online, submit your application by creating an account on SSA.gov. You can also call the Social Security office directly at 800-772-1213 and a representative will walk you through the application process.

If you prefer to make your application in person, contact your closest New York field office to set up an appointment.

It will speed up the process to gather any relevant information and documents ahead of time. Below is a general list of requirements, but you may be asked to provide more or less based on your specific case:

• Personal information: birth certificate or permanent resident card, marriage or divorce records, military records, vital details about any minor children
• Current employment or self-employment information
• Bank account information for direct deposit
• Personal or professional references like a doctor or family member who can certify your conditions
• Medical history about your disability like records of physical and mental health, tests, and names of doctors
• Job and education history for at least the last two years

How To Appeal a Denial in New York

Although New York has a high initial approval rating (58%), this still means roughly 42% of applicants are denied the first time. This could happen if you don’t meet the federal criteria, but also if you failed to provide enough evidence to support your claim.

There are four levels of the appeal process, but New York is unique in that applicants can skip the first step (reconsideration) and go straight to a disability hearing.

Step 1: Reconsideration – This step is unnecessary for those seeking New York disability. If you wish to appeal your denial, proceed directly to step 2.

Step 2: Disability Hearing – The first step for New Yorkers is to request a hearing with an administrative law judge. This request must be made within 60 days of your first denial, and your hearing will be scheduled in person at your closest SSA Hearing Office.

You will likely be asked to bring additional documentation about your disability, and many people choose to obtain legal advice at this point. Unfortunately, these hearings can sometimes take more than a year to be scheduled, making it imperative you take this step as soon as possible.

Step 3: Appeals Council – If your hearing was unsuccessful, you have 60 days to request the Social Security Appeals Council review your case. A judge on the council will look at the previous ruling to see if an error was made and will either remand the case to the prior ruling or make a new determination.

Step 4: Federal Court – Your last option is to file a lawsuit by appealing to the district federal court. There are four district federal courts in New York representing the Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western districts. It’s a good idea to retain the counsel of an experienced disability attorney.

More New York Benefits

SSI

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is another federal disability program run by the SSA. SSI provides monthly cash benefits for low-income New York residents who are either disabled or over age 65. All applicants must meet income eligibility requirements.

New York Medicaid

You must be receiving SSI benefits in New York to qualify for New York Medicaid. Medicaid is a health insurance subsidy program for low-income residents, those with qualifying disabilities, pregnant women, families with dependent children, and seniors 65 and older who meet the income requirements.

To qualify for New York Medicaid, an individual’s income can be no more than $10,600 annually. If you currently have health coverage with a private insurance carrier, you should not cancel it as sometimes Medicaid can help pay this premium.

Temporary Disability Benefits

New York state also offers temporary disability benefits (sometimes called statutory disability) for eligible employees who are unable to work due to a non-work related illness or injury. New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF) provides these benefits only to the worker who is disabled, and it does not carry over to an ill family member. Additionally, to receive this disability benefits insurance, you must be working for a “covered employer,” which is any private sector employer with one or more employees.

There may also be disability retirement benefits available to those who are unable to continue working and must take retirement early, or those who have become disabled due to performing their work duties (known as Performance of Duty Disability). The New York State & Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) provides both these disability retirement benefits as well as an accidental disability benefit to those who have become disabled due to an on-the-job accident.

There are additional Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits that are available for those who need time to bond with a new child, take care of an ill family member, or manage the transition of a military spouse who has been deployed abroad.

Cash benefits can be collected for up to 26 weeks and are based on the employee’s average weekly wage over the last eight weeks. The weekly payments cannot exceed $170. PFL beneficiaries can receive up to 67% of their average weekly wage for up to 12 weeks

New York Unemployment

New York Unemployment benefits provide temporary benefits to those who have lost their job through no fault of their own. The program is run through the New York Department of Labor and is funded through employer contributions. The maximum weekly benefit is $504 and can be collected for up to 26 weeks.

New York Social Security Offices

SSA Field Office Locations in New York
NY Midtown SSA Office	237 W 48Th Street 5th Floor New York, NY 10036	(866) 964-0783
Syracuse SSA Office	100 S Clinton St Fed Bldg 4th Floor Syracuse, NY 13261	(866) 755-4884
Albany SSA Office	11 A Clinton Ave Rm 430 Federal Bldg Albany, NY 12207	(866) 253-9183
Buffalo SSA Office	186 Exchange Street Suite 100 Buffalo, NY 14204	(855) 881-0213
Binghamton SSA Office	2 Court Street Suite 300 Binghamton, NY 13901	(866) 964-3971
Schenectady SSA Office	One Broadway Center 8th Floor Schenectady, NY 12305	(866) 964-1296
Boro Hall SSA Office	195 Montague St 7Th Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201	(877) 531-4725
Rochester SSA Office	2nd Floor 200 E. Main St Rochester, NY 14604	(866) 964-2045
NY Downtown SSA Office	123 William St 4th Floor New York, NY 10038	(866) 335-1089
Utica SSA Office	10 Broad Street Federal Building Utica, NY 13501	(877) 405-6750
Jamestown SSA Office	321 Hazeltine Ave Jamestown, NY 14701	(877) 319-3079
South Bronx SSA Office	West, 3rd Fl 820 Concourse Village Bronx, NY 10451	(855) 531-1684
Yonkers SSA Office	20 South Broadway Ste 1000 Yonkers, NY 10701	(866) 331-6404
Horseheads SSA Office	Suite 19 3345 Chambers Rd Horseheads, NY 14845	(866) 964-1715
Niagara Falls SSA Office	6540 Niagara Falls Bvd Niagara Falls, NY 14304	(877) 480-4992
Ogdensburg SSA Office	101 Ford Street Ogdensburg, NY 13669	(866) 572-8369
NY Uptown SSA Office	4th Floor 302 West 126th Street New York, NY 10027	(866) 964-1301
Newburgh SSA Office	3 Washington Center Suite 301 Newburgh, NY 12550	(866) 504-4801
Rego Park SSA Office	6344 Austin Street Rego Park, NY 11374	(877) 255-1506
Jamaica SSA Office	155-10 Jamaica Ave 3rd Fl District Office Jamaica, NY 11432	(866) 592-0802
Staten Island SSA Office	2391 Richmond Avenue Staten Island, NY 10314	(866) 331-5288
Gloversville SSA Office	13 N Arlington Ave Gloversville, NY 12078	(888) 528-9446
Oswego SSA Office	17 Fourth Ave Oswego, NY 13126	(866) 964-7593
Plattsburgh SSA Office	14 Durkee St Suite 230 Plattsburgh, NY 12901	(866) 964-7430
Queensbury SSA Office	17 Cronin Rd Suite 1 Queensbury, NY 12804	(877) 405-4875
Brooklyn Flatbush SSA Office	2250 Nostrand Ave Brooklyn, NY 11210	(866) 563-9461
New Rochelle SSA Office	85 Harrison St Street Level New Rochelle, NY 10801	(855) 210-1026
Watertown SSA Office	156 Bellew Ave South Watertown, NY 13601	(866) 627-6995
Troy SSA Office	500 Federal St Suite 101 Troy, NY 12180	(866) 770-2662
North Bronx SSA Office	2501 Grand Concourse 2nd Floor Bronx, NY 10468	(877) 619-2852
Poughkeepsie SSA Office	332 Main St Poughkeepsie, NY 12601	(877) 405-6747
Inwood Hill SSA Office	4941 Broadway New York, NY 10034	(877) 445-0838
Brooklyn Bushwick SSA Office	785 Flushing Ave Third Floor Brooklyn, NY 11206	(888) 327-1276
Patchogue SSA Office	75 Oak Street Patchogue, NY 1 772	(866) 771-1991
Brooklyn New Utrecht	7714 17 Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11214	(866) 585-9320
Mineola SSA Office	211 Station Rd 5Th Floor Mineola, NY 11501	(866) 758-1318
Cypress Hills	3386 Fulton Street Brooklyn, NY 11208	(866) 613-2767
Corning SSA Office	200 Nasser Civic Ctr Corning, NY 14830	(866) 591-3665
Geneva SSA Office	15 Lewis St Geneva, NY 14456	(866) 331-7759
Olean SSA Office	1618 W State St Olean, NY 14760	(877) 319-5773
Batavia SSA Office	571 East Main Street Batavia, NY 14020	(866) 931-7103
Melville SSA Office	1121 Walt Whitman Rd Suite 201 Melville, NY 11747	(866) 964-0165
Oneonta SSA Office	31 Main St Suite 1 Oneonta, NY 13820	(877) 628-6581
East Bronx SSA Office	1380 Parker Street 2nd Floor Bronx, NY 10462	(866) 931-2526
White Plains SSA Office	297 Knollwood Rd Suite 4A White Plains, NY 10607	(866) 331-8134
West Nyack SSA Office	240 West Nyack Road West Nyack, NY 10994	(866) 755-4334
Flushing SSA Office	138-50 Barclay Ave Flushing, NY 11355	(877) 457-1735
Freeport SSA Office	84 N. Main Street Freeport, NY 11520	(866) 964-0028
Ithaca SSA Office	127 W State Street 2nd Floor Ithaca, NY 14850	(866) 706-8289
Hudson SSA Office	747 Warren Street Hudson, NY 12534	(877) 828-1691
Monticello SSA Office	60 Jefferson St Suite 4 Monticello, NY 12701	(855) 794-4728
NY East Harlem SSA Office	4th Floor 345 E 102 Street New York, NY 10029	(877) 445-0836
Bronx Hunts Point SSA Office	1029 E 163rd Street 3rd Floor Bronx, NY 10459	(866) 220-9777
Bedford Heights SSA Office	1540 Fulton Street Brooklyn, NY 11216	(866) 592-4845
Rockaway Park SSA Office	11306 Rockaway Bch Blvd Rockaway Park, NY 11694	(866) 331-2310
Riverhead SSA Office	526 East Main Street Riverhead, NY 11901	(888) 397-9819
Laconia Avenue	3247 Laconia Ave Bronx, NY 10469	(866) 347-0054
Peekskill SSA Office	One Park Place 3rd Floor Peekskill, NY 10566	(877) 840-5778
East Village	650 East 12th St New York, NY 10009	(877) 405-1447
Ridge Road SSA Office	1900 Ridge Rd Suite 120 West Seneca, NY 14224	(800) 647-9195
West Babylon SSA Office	510 Park Avenue West Babylon, NY 11704	(866) 964-7375
Long Island City	31-08 37Th Avenue Ground Floor Long Island City, NY 11101	(866) 837-1096
Dunkirk SSA Office	437 Main St Suite 2 Dunkirk, NY 14048	(888) 862-2139
West Farms SSA Office	1829 Southern Blvd Bronx, NY 10460	(866) 964-2558
Canarsie SSA Office	1871 Rockaway Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11236	(866) 667-7342
Hylan Blvd SSA Office	1510 Hylan Blvd 2nd Floor Staten Island, NY 10305	(877) 457-1736
Greece SSA Office	4050 W Ridge Rd 2nd Floor Rochester, NY 14626	(866) 331-2204

New York Hearing and Appeal Offices

New York is in Region 2 (New York), which services New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Region 2 – SSA Office of Hearing Operations in New York
SSA Hearing Office – New York	26 Federal Plaza Room 34-102 New York, NY 10278	(212) 264-4036
SSA Hearing Office – Albany	12 Corporate Woods Blvd 2nd Floor Albany, NY 12211	(866) 643-3035
SSA Hearing Office – Bronx	220 East 161st Street Suite 200 Bronx, NY 10451	(866) 563-9573
SSA Hearing Office – Buffalo	130 Delaware Avenue 2nd Floor Buffalo, NY 14202	(866) 348-5819
SSA Hearing Office – Central Islip	730 Federal Plaza Central Islip, NY 11722	(866) 931-4494
SSA Hearing Office – New York	26 Federal Plaza Room 2909 New York, NY 10278-0035	(877) 405-6744
SSA Hearing Office – New York	201 Varick Street Room 315 New York, NY 10014-9998	(866) 964-9971
SSA Hearing Office – Jamaica	155-10 Jamaica Ave 2nd Floor Jamaica, NY 11432	(866) 931-6092