Ohio Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is available for Ohio residents who qualify based on their past work experience and their disability. 

The program is offered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), a federal agency with locations in each state to help state residents apply for and manage their SSD benefits. Each Ohio Social Security office is responsible for determining one’s eligibility for SSDI benefits and dispersing their benefits.

Facts About Ohio

Ohio currently has a slightly higher-than-average percentage of adults with disabilities, when compared to national statistics, at 26.9%. Ohio also has more people with disabilities who are likely to be inactive, have high blood pressure, and be obese than adults with disabilities across the nation.

Fortunately, many disabilities and conditions make adults eligible for disability SSI benefits in Ohio, including back injuries, neurological disorders, developmental disabilities, cancer, immune system conditions, and respiratory illnesses. However, it’s important to get a medical diagnosis for any condition you’d like to note on your Ohio disability application.

How To Qualify for SSDI in Ohio

Ohio residents must meet specific eligibility requirements to get Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration sets these requirements, but Ohio Social Security offices are responsible for reviewing the disability benefit application and determining eligibility for each applicant.

To be eligible, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen, be able to show proof of citizenship with a birth certificate, qualify by income level, and have a medically proven disability. It is important to have detailed medical records, summarizing any medical conditions and disabilities.

Each applicant should have plenty of medical evidence that supports a diagnosis for an SSA-approved disability, which may include:

• Digestive disorders
• Speech and hearing disorders
• Visual impairments or blindness
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Mental health and neurological disorders
• Cancer
• Skin conditions
• Immune disorders

SSDI also requires applicants to have enough work credits earned to qualify for benefits. Work credits come from employment, and they denote whether an individual has worked long enough and for enough hours to begin withdrawing SSDI benefits. Each person can earn up to four credits per year, and you’ll need at least 40 credits to qualify for a Social Security benefit. At least 20 of those credits must be from employment within the past ten years.

How To Apply for SSDI in Ohio

An Ohio resident may apply for Social Security disability benefits through the SSA, either online, by telephone, or at their closest SSA office. There are currently 56 SSA offices throughout Ohio, located in areas like Cleveland, Medina, Akron, Toledo, Columbus, and Marietta.

The application can be lengthy, but it’s important to follow each step thoroughly and provide all required medical records and documents related to your medical condition. Doing so can help you reach a faster disability determination. If you require assistance with your application, you can appoint a representative for legal help. This can be a family member, attorney, or even a medical professional.

Some applications may be fast-tracked, depending on your disability. Ohio’s military veterans may also have their claims expedited as well as adding VA benefits to their Social Security disability benefit monthly payment.

After applying for SSDI benefits in Ohio, applicants can check the status of their application on the SSA website. However, keep in mind that the SSA requires a five-month waiting time until benefits begin getting paid out, even if you are approved. The waiting period begins the first month after the SSA determines you first became disabled.

How To Appeal a Denial in Ohio

There are multiple stages of approving and denying disability claims in Ohio. Ohio citizens may appeal their SSDA denial at any stage, but the appeals process will be slightly different depending on the stage.

Either you or a disability lawyer can file an appeal for you. A Social Security disability lawyer can provide legal help to navigate the process, which can sometimes be confusing and overwhelming. If appealing yourself, you may file your appeal online or by mailing the information to the address listed on your paperwork, which will likely be your closest Ohio Social Security office. You can find the addresses for local offices below.

Appeals begin with a reconsideration review by an administrative law judge, followed by the Appeals Council and a federal court review as the appeal continues through the process.

More Ohio Benefits

Social Security Disability Insurance isn’t the only form of assistance Ohio offers to citizens. Here are a few more common programs to consider applying for, depending on your situation:

Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) often gets confused with SSDI, but they’re different programs offered by the SSA. Ohio SSI is for low-income children or adults with a disability that affects their ability to work or carry out important daily living tasks. Individuals 65 or older may also qualify for SSI if they don’t have a disability.

You can apply for SSI through your local office, by mail, or online, but you’ll need a different application than the one for SSDI to do so. Ohio SSA offices check an applicant’s eligibility for both programs when they apply for one, which makes it easier to ensure you’re getting the proper benefits.

Ohio Medicaid

Ohio Medicaid offers health coverage to eligible low-income residents. A person receiving Medicaid must be blind, have a disability, or be caring for someone with a disability, be responsible for a minor child, or be age 65 or older. Some groups, like children and pregnant women, are eligible for coverage in higher income brackets than others to better meet their healthcare needs.

Although not all medical services are covered, many are, including therapy for mental illness, short-term disability treatments, medical equipment, and speech-language pathology. However, some Ohio Medicaid services may require members to pay small co-pays.

Ohio Unemployment

Ohio unemployment benefits assist the state’s workers who have been laid off from or lost a job through no fault of their own. The program comes from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and pays financial assistance for up to 26 weeks while the recipient looks for a new job.

To qualify for Ohio unemployment, an individual must have worked at least 20 weeks for a covered employer and be either completely or partially unemployed. Individuals must also have earned at least $243 within the required base period, or at least four of the five previous quarters.

Ohio Social Security Offices

SSA Field Office Locations in Ohio
Toledo-West SSA Office	4906 Monroe St Suite AToledo, OH 43623	(877) 274-5429
Painesville SSA Office	55 W Jackson StPainesville, OH 44077	(877) 692-3143
Cincinnati-D/T	550 Main St Room 2-960Cincinnati, OH 45202	(866) 593-1519
Cleveland Dt SSA Office	1240 E 9th StRm 793 AJC Fed BldgCleveland, OH 44199	(877) 378-9078
Columbus SSA Office-Dt	200 North High St Room 225Columbus, OH 43215	(866) 964-1723
Akron SSA Office	2 S Main St 2nd FloorAkron, OH 44308	(877) 600-2858
Lorain SSA Office	221 W 5th StLorain, OH 44052	(866) 530-7818
Ashtabula SSA Office	4815 State RdAshtabula, OH 44004	(877) 223-6059
Mansfield SSA Office	1287 South Trimble RdMansfield, OH 44907	(888) 491-1882
Lima SSA Office	401 West North StFederal Bldg, Ste 101Lima, OH 45801	(800) 223-0288
Toledo SSA Office Dt	433 N Summit St Suite 1000Toledo, OH 43604	(866) 331-2196
Zanesville SSA Office	3823 James CourtZanesville, OH 43701	(855) 884-3408
Youngstown SSA Office	354 E Federal StYoungstown, OH 44503	(877) 714-0393
Springfield SSA Office	1610 N Limestone StSpringfield, OH 45503	(877) 405-1451
Hamilton SSA Office	6553 Winford AvenueHamilton, OH 45011	(888) 862-3585
Canton SSA Office	301 McKinley Ave SW Suite 100Canton, OH 44702	(877) 255-1509
Portsmouth SSA Office	921 Fourth StreetPortsmouth, OH 45662	(866) 613-3961
Dayton SSA Office	200 W 2nd StreetFederal BldgDayton, OH 45402	(888) 329-5724
Warren SSA Office	258 E Market Street 1st FloorWarren, OH 44481	(866) 964-7339
Marion SSA Office	1363 Wellness DrMarion, OH 43302	(888) 475-0296
Athens SSA Office	743A East State StreetAthens, OH 45701	(877) 840-7683
Cleveland East SSA Office	3591 Park East DrBeachwood, OH 44122	(877) 402-0823
Cleveland West SSA Office	17513 Detroit AveLakewood, OH 44107	(866) 964-4389
Steubenville SSA Office	100 Mall Drive Unit E5Steubenville, OH 43952	(866) 253-6889
Sandusky SSA Office	252 Wayne StreetSandusky, OH 44870	(866) 588-7397
Chillicothe SSA Office	44 Stoneridge DriveChillicothe, OH 45601	(877) 452-6971
Cincinnati North	10205 Reading RdCincinnati, OH 45241	(877) 833-2704
Defiance SSA Office	273 Stadium DrDefiance, OH 43512	(877) 600-2860
Findlay SSA Office	1720 E Melrose AveFindlay, OH 45840	(877) 628-6548
Marietta SSA Office	1301 Greene StreetMarietta, OH 45750	(855) 433-5872
Newark SSA Office	125 Derby Downs RdNewark, OH 43055	(866) 737-3514
New Philadelphia SSA Office	1260 Monroe St NW Suite 1CNew Philadelphia, OH 44663	(866) 731-4236
East Liverpool SSA Office	120 East Fourth StreetEast Liverpool, OH 43920	(855) 269-9178
Piqua SSA Office	277 S Looney RdPiqua, OH 45356	(866) 931-2520
Lancaster SSA Office	252 Venture PlaceLancaster, OH 43130	(877) 841-5712
Wooster SSA Office	2345 Gateway Dr Ste BWooster, OH 44691	(877) 319-0729
Ironton SSA Office	611 Vernon StreetIronton, OH 45638	(866) 789-1073
Akron-West SSA Office	2166 Romig RdAkron, OH 44320	(866) 837-5359
Cleveland Ne SSA Office	15250 S. Waterloo RdCleveland, OH 44110	(866) 592-1802
Cleveland Se SSA Office	18711 Miles AveWarrensville Hts, OH 44128	(877) 405-0474
Dayton-West SSA Office	4375 Hoover AveDayton, OH 45417	(877) 895-0038
Cleve Buckeye Shaker	11601 Shaker BlvdCleveland, OH 44120	(877) 635-3546
Cleveland NW SSA Office	7517 Lorain AveCleveland, OH 44102	(877) 876-3172
Cleveland SW SSA Office	7344 Pearl Rd Suite 101Middleburg Hts, OH 44130	(866) 931-9176
Batavia SSA Office	1050 Hospital DrBatavia, OH 45103	(800) 453-0494
Middletown SSA Office	3715 Towne BlvdFranklin, OH 45005	(877) 457-1738
Ravenna SSA Office	444 Enterprise ParkwayRavenna, OH 44266	(855) 863-3562
Xenia SSA Office	80 N Progress DrXenia, OH 45385	(866) 755-5372
Medina SSA Office	4035 N Jefferson StMedina, OH 44256	(866) 613-2774
Bowling Green SSA Office	745 Innovation DriveBowling Green, OH 43402	(866) 931-7674
Cambridge SSA Office	1225 Woodlawn Ave Suite 105Cambridge, OH 43725	(866) 883-5281
Gallipolis SSA Office	2455 State Route 160Gallipolis, OH 45631	(888) 397-6343
Fremont SSA Office	2220 Enterprise StreetFremont, OH 43420	(866) 614-4760
Columbus East SSA Office	220 S Hamilton RdColumbus, OH 43213	(866) 592-0733
Columbus North SSA Office	1051 Worthington WoodsWorthington, OH 43085	(866) 789-0957
Columbus West SSA Office	1060 Georgesville RoadColumbus, OH 43228	(866) 656-0178

Ohio Hearing and Appeal Offices

Ohio is in Region 5 (Chicago), which services Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. 

Region 5 – SSA Office of Hearing Operations in Ohio
SSA Hearing Office – Akron	121 South Main StreetSuite 400Akron, OH 44308-1426	(866) 708-3209
SSA Hearing Office – Cincinnati	550 Main StreetJohn W. Peck Federal Building, Suite 4-510Cincinnati, OH 45202	(877) 405-7672
SSA Hearing Office – Cleveland	1660 West Second StreetSkylight Office Tower, Suite 500Cleveland, OH 44113	(877) 402-0822
SSA Hearing Office – Columbus	401 N. Front StreetSuite 400Columbus, OH 43215	(888) 397-6870
SSA Hearing Office – Dayton	10 N. Ludlow StreetCourthouse Plaza SW, Suite 300Dayton, OH 45402	(888) 450-4590
SSA Hearing Office – Toledo	One Seagate13th FloorToledo, OH 43604	(866) 783-7304
SSA Hearing Office – Pittsburgh	1000 Liberty AvenueSuite 2308Pittsburgh, PA 15222	(866) 331-2291
SSA Hearing Office – Mars	300 Seven Fields BoulevardOne Adams Place, Suite 200Mars, PA 16046	(855) 278-4199