According to the CDC, 33.9% of Oklahoma’s adult population has a disability. About 18% of the residents have mobility-related disabilities, 15.2% have cognitive-related issues, 9.5% have problems with independent living, 9.3% with hearing-related disabilities, and 6.6% with visual disabilities.
The CDC also reports that Oklahoma spends approximately 4.7 billion annually on disability. The state affords financial support to disabled adults through federal programs such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Currently, Oklahoma provides SSDI benefits to nearly 97,000 people. But what criteria does the state use to qualify disabled adults for disability benefits?
This post discusses everything about SSDI. Keep reading about Social Security local to Oklahoma and learn how to qualify for these benefits.
How Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits in Oklahoma
Qualification requirements for SSDI in Oklahoma align with federal disability laws. According to the law, a person with disabilities who pays into the Social Security Trust Fund as stipulated in the Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) may be eligible for disability benefits.
The law also states that a surviving spouse can claim the disability benefits of a deceased spouse receiving or qualified for disability benefits. Additionally, Oklahoma veterans with disabilities can receive disability payments from SSDI and Veteran Affairs.
A person with disabilities is entitled to reasonable accommodation from their employer to continue working. But if they earn over $1,310 per month, they will no longer qualify for SSDI.
The other requirement is that you must have a medical disability that is expected to last more than a year or result in death. The disability must be one that prevents you from completing basic tasks. If you have a short-term disability that has not or will not last up to a year, you will be disqualified for disability benefits under federal law.
How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits in Oklahoma?
Disabled residents in Oklahoma can apply for SSDI in three main ways:
You may apply in person at your local Oklahoma Social Security Field Office. Oklahoma has 17 field offices; check the list below to identify one near you.
An in-person visit may not be suitable if you have a mobility-related disability. In that case, you can call the SSA at (800) 772-1213 to apply over the phone. A customer representative at the SSA will help you with the application.
Lastly, if you are more informed about the internet, you can apply online at the SSA website. This is the easiest way to apply since you can fill out everything in the comfort of your home.
It is essential to gather your medical records and documentation to prove your eligibility before filing for SSDI. Some documents you need include your birth certificate, work history, doctor’s contact information, marriage/divorce certificate, and Oklahoma Social Security number.
What Happens After I Apply for Social Security Benefits in Oklahoma?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs SSDI in Oklahoma and all other states. The SSA facilitates SSDI through the Disability Determination Services (DDS), a state agency under the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.
The role of the DDS is to determine which claims are approved. So, when you apply for disability benefits, the SSA sends your application to the DDS for determination.
A disability examiner at the DDS will examine your application to determine whether you genuinely qualify for benefits. The examiner will first review your medical records and send you for a consultative examination with an SSA-approved physician.
The disability examiner will also seek the opinion of vocational experts. These professionals will look at your medical records and work history to determine whether there are any jobs you can comfortably do with your disability.
The claims examiner will use the gathered information to make the final decision. If they consider you disabled, you will be approved for disability benefits. But you will have to wait five months before receiving payments.
If considered not disabled, your claim for disability benefits will be denied. But you have a chance to appeal and overturn this decision.
Appealing a Denial for Social Security Benefits in Oklahoma
Oklahoma has a relatively low approval rate for disability benefits. The state approves only 29% of applications at the initial level compared to the 35% national average.
Fortunately, applicants have a chance to appeal their denial. The appeals process can be complicated, so it is essential to have an experienced Social Security disability lawyer to help you navigate it.
The first step of the appeal is to request a consideration of your disability claim. You will have 65 days to file an appeal. The DDS will authorize a new disability examiner to review your case to check whether an error was made during the initial determination.
You can apply for a hearing if the reconsideration still yields undesirable results. An administrative law judge will hear your case. Having an Oklahoma Social Security disability lawyer at the hearing is helpful as they know how to present your case most favorably.
If the disability hearing still fails, you can apply for a review with the Social Security Appeals Council. And if this fails too, you have the last option of filing a civil suit at the federal district court. Your disability attorney will be of assistance in court.
Oklahoma SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Average Approval Rate
Oklahoma is in Region 6, headquartered in Dallas. Region 6 has only three SSA hearing offices based in McAlester, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa.
Having so few offices, it takes approximately 16 months to have your disability hearing in Oklahoma. This wait time is lower than the national average of 18 months, but it is still long.
At the hearing stage, Oklahoma has a higher approval rate. The Oklahoma Social Security Administration approves 58% of disability claims at the hearing compared to the 46% national average.
Your chances of approval are even higher when you have legal representation. According to the Government Accountability Office, applicants with lawyers are three times more likely to be approved for benefits than those who do it alone.
So, please do not do it alone. Hire a lawyer to fight for you and help you get the benefits you need and deserve.
How Do I Contact the Oklahoma Social Security Office Near Me?
There are 17 Social Security Field offices in Oklahoma. These offices address everything concerning SSDI and SSI.
We have compiled a list of all Oklahoma Social Security offices with their location and contact information. You can call or visit the local field office near you for assistance with the SSDI application or ask about the eligibility requirements.
SSA Field Office |
Physical Address |
Phone Number |
| Oklahoma City SSA Office | 12301 N. Kelley Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73131 |
(866) 331-2207 |
| Tulsa SSA Office | 4750 S Garnett Rd Tulsa, OK 74146 |
(866) 931-7106 |
| Chickasha SSA Office | 506 W Utah Ave Chickasha, OK 73018 |
(877) 622-9096 |
| Ardmore SSA Office | 321 Holiday Drive Ardmore, OK 73401 |
(888) 619-4774 |
| Muskogee SSA Office | 2401 W. Shawnee Street Muskogee, OK 74401 |
(877) 575-5195 |
| Enid SSA Office | 2202 N Van Buren St Enid, OK 73703 |
(877) 405-0436 |
| Lawton SSA Office | 1610 SW Lee Blvd Lawton, OK 73501 |
(866) 931-2732 |
| Miami SSA Office | 2108 Denver Harnar Dr Miami, OK 74354 |
(888) 878-0013 |
| Moore SSA Office | 200 Ne 27Th St Moore, OK 73160 |
(866) 964-4260 |
| McAlester SSA Office | 902 S George Nigh McAlester, OK 74501 |
(877) 893-4665 |
| Bartlesville SSA Office | 900 Leisure Ln Bartlesville, OK 74006 |
(877) 836-1557 |
| Shawnee SSA Office | 909 E Federal St Shawnee, OK 74804 |
(877) 897-0604 |
| Ada SSA Office | 921 Lonnie Abbott Blvd Ada, OK 74820 |
(888) 810-1940 |
| Clinton SSA Office | 410 Opal Ave Clinton, OK 73601 |
(877) 405-9345 |
| Stillwater SSA Office | 406 E Hall of Fame Ave Stillwater, OK 74075 |
(888) 366-6143 |
| Durant SSA Office | 121 S 12Th Ave Durant, OK 74701 |
(866) 495-0042 |
| Poteau SSA Office | 1306 Tarby Rd Poteau, OK 74953 |
(877) 405-7697 |
Get Legal Help Applying for Social Security Benefits in Oklahoma
The SSDI application process is complex and overwhelming, especially when dealing with a disabling condition. An experienced Oklahoma Social Security disability lawyer can ease it by guiding you throughout the process.
A lawyer can help you complete an error-free application and increase your chances of being approved for benefits. Your lawyer can also guide you through the appeals process and represent you at the hearing.
Contact us today to speak to a local Oklahoma Social Security disability lawyer about your case.
