Missouri has a population of over six million. Nearly four million residents are aged above 21.
Unfortunately, 41.4% of the adult population in Missouri has a disability. The most common disabilities affecting them include mobility issues, cognitive issues, independent living issues, and visual or hearing impairment issues.
Such disabilities make it challenging for individuals to earn a living and support themselves or their families. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides financial support towards medical costs and basic needs for disabled persons.
However, not every disabled resident qualifies for SSDI. There are specific requirements a person must meet to be eligible for disability benefits.
This article will discuss everything about Social Security local to Missouri. By the end of this read, you will know what to do to qualify for these benefits.
How Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits in Missouri
The federal government administers SSDI through the Social Security Administration (SSA), so the qualification requirements are the same across all states, with the exception of a few.
You must meet two main requirements to qualify for Social Security disability benefits in Missouri. First, you must have a long-term disability or a developmental disability.
Based on the SSA definition, a long-term disability is a condition expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death.
Second, SSDI benefits are only available for those who paid Social Security taxes when working. You should have acquired enough work credits or worked for at least five years in the ten years preceding a disability claim.
Remember, you must prove your disability prevents you from working your previous job or engaging in substantially gainful activity (SGA).
This means you will not qualify for SSDI if have a short-term disability. Your insurance should be able to help with short-term disabilities.
How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits in Missouri?
The SSA receives, reviews, and approves all disability claims. You can apply for SSDI by visiting any of the SSA field offices in Missouri.
You can also apply online on the SSA website. All you need to do is create an account or sign in, fill out all the required forms, and you are done.
Lastly, you can apply through a phone call. You must prove you are an American citizen or a legal immigrant and that you have a long-term disability that prevents you from working.
If you are unsure whether you qualify for Social Security benefits in Missouri, contact your local Social Security office or disability services division for assistance.
Before you file for SSDI, gather all documentation and evidence to support your claim. Your medical records, employment history, and Missouri Social Security Number should be prepared beforehand. These records are what will determine whether you will be approved for benefits.
What Happens After I Apply for Social Security Benefits in Missouri?
The SSA issues SSD benefits with the help of Missouri Disability Determination Services (DDS). The DDS serves under the Office of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation Services in Missouri.
When you send your application for disability benefits to your local Missouri Social Security Office, the SSA first confirms whether you meet the basic criteria. If you do, your application will be sent to the DDS for a thorough determination.
The DDS then assigns a claims examiner to determine whether you meet the medical requirements. The claims examiner will ask for input from your treating physician.
Your doctor will complete a questionnaire detailing how your condition affects you. It is crucial to follow up with your physician to ensure they fill out the questionnaire on time.
Next, the claims examiner will ask doctors, hospitals, schools, employers, and other sources for input. These are individuals who understand job requirements and limitations caused by disabilities.
The vocational experts will compare your work history to medical records to establish what kind of jobs you can do despite your disability.
Once the claims examiner gathers all information, they will conclude whether you are medically disabled. If they consider you not disabled, your claim will be denied, but you can file an appeal if you wish to pursue the case.
If found to be disabled, you will start receiving the benefits within five months. The amount of your benefits will depend on your work history and income.
Appealing a Denial for Social Security Benefits in Missouri
Missouri SSDI applicants have a 38% chance of being approved for benefits at the initial disability application stage. While this is higher than the national average of 36%, it means most claimants must undergo the appeals process before being awarded benefits.
The appeals process involves four stages. The first stage is to request a reconsideration of your application. During the reconsideration, the DDS will assign a new claims examiner to review your case. An appeal must be submitted within 60 days from the date you receive the denial.
If your reconsideration is denied, you may request a disability hearing before an administrative law judge. The Office of Hearings Operations will schedule your hearing, although it takes some time due to the backlog of cases at the hearing offices.
You may appeal your case before the Social Security Appeals Council if you are not approved for benefits at the hearing. If you are still unlucky, your final option is to file a lawsuit at the federal district court.
It is crucial to have a disability lawyer during disability adjudication. In fact, you should contact a lawyer before you initiate the appeals process. Applicants who have a legal representative have better chances of approval from SSA.
Missouri SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Average Approval Rate
Missouri is in Region 7, headquartered in Kansas. There are seven official hearing offices in this region.
As of 2022, Missouri’s average wait time for a disability hearing was nine months, slightly lower than the national average of 10 months.
However, the chances of approval during a disability hearing are worse in Missouri compared to the national level. The Missouri Social Security Administration approves 46% of claims at the hearing, against a national average of 51%.
These wait times and average approval rates only emphasize the importance of having a skilled Missouri SSD attorney by your side.
An extensive study by the Government Accountability Office found that applicants with lawyers are three times more likely to be approved for benefits that those who do it alone.
How Do I Contact the Missouri Social Security Office Near Me?
Missouri has 31 Social Security Field Offices that handle everything concerning Social Security Disability Insurance.
Below is a list of these offices. You can call or visit your nearest local Social Security Field Office for assistance with the application process, follow up with the status of your application, or ask about your eligibility.
SSA Field Office |
Physical Address |
Phone Number |
| Chillicothe SSA Office | 1105 S Mitchell Ave Industrial Pk Chillicothe, MO 64601 |
(877) 405-7668 |
| Kansas City SSA Office | 2021 Independence Ave Kansas City, MO 64124 |
(888) 221-3612 |
| St Louis Cen West SSA Office | 5669 Delmar Blvd St Louis, MO 63112 |
(888) 810-7291 |
| West Plains SSA Office | 1612 Imperial Drive West Plains, MO 65775 |
(866) 614-2741 |
| St Peters SSA Office | 4800 Executive Ctr Pky St Peters, MO 63376 |
(877) 405-3570 |
| St Louis-Dtn SSA Office | 717 N 16th Street Suite 100 St Louis, MO 63103 |
(888) 748-2014 |
| Kansas City South SSA Office | 6320 Euclid Ave Kansas City, MO 64132 |
(888) 488-9417 |
| St Joseph SSA Office | 1402 N Woodbine Rd Saint Joseph, MO 64506 |
(888) 366-6148 |
| Springfield SSA Office | 1570 W Battlefield St Ste 100 Springfield, MO 65807 |
(877) 850-7824 |
| Cape Girardeau SSA Office | 2445 Cape Centre Dr Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 |
(866) 931-7077 |
| Jefferson City SSA Office | 129 Scott Station Road Jefferson City, MO 65109 |
(877) 405-9803 |
| Hannibal SSA Office | 155 Forrest Drive Hannibal, MO 63401 |
(866) 331-7094 |
| St Louis West SSA Office | 1215 Fern Ridge Pkwy Ste 100 Creve Coeur, MO 63141 |
(855) 820-0096 |
| Sedalia SSA Office | 3404 W 10th Sedalia, MO 65301 |
(877) 405-5459 |
| Joplin SSA Office | 4102 S Arizona Ave Joplin, MO 64804 |
(866) 964-7421 |
| St Louis South SSA Office | 8800 Watson Rd Suite 100 Saint Louis, MO 63119 |
(877) 714-0372 |
| Independence SSA Office | 3520 S Noland Rd Ste C Independence, MO 64055 |
(866) 864-1517 |
| Poplar Bluff SSA Office | 66 Highway 142 Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 |
(855) 722-3498 |
| Rolla SSA Office | 1813 E 10th St Rolla, MO 65401 |
(800) 551-2056 |
| Columbia SSA Office | 3402 Buttonwood Dr Suite101 Columbia, MO 65201 |
(866) 563-9108 |
| Kennett SSA Office | 800 South Bypass Kennett, MO 63857 |
(866) 931-4497 |
| Park Hills SSA Office | 507 East Main Street Park Hills, MO 63601 |
(877) 622-9009 |
| Kansas City North | 8620 N Green Hills Rd Kansas City, MO 64154 |
(877) 805-6671 |
| Nevada SSA Office | 120 S Commerce Dr Nevada, MO 64772 |
(888) 808-5441 |
| Union SSA Office | 43 Prairie Dell Plz Suite 5 Union, MO 63084 |
(866) 837-1063 |
| Kirksville SSA Office | 1305 Crown Drive Kirksville, MO 63501 |
(888) 386-2705 |
| St Louis Southwest SSA Office | 650 Gravois Bluffs Blvd Fenton, MO 63026 |
(866) 331-2307 |
| Lebanon SSA Office | 2546 S Jefferson Ave Lebanon, MO 65536 |
(866) 931-7104 |
| Maryville SSA Office | 518 W South Hills Dr Maryville, MO 64468 |
(877) 833-2731 |
| Sikeston SSA Office | 711 York Dr Sikeston, MO 63801 |
(866) 964-4261 |
| St Louis North SSA Office | 11753 W Florissant Ave Florissant, MO 63033 |
(866) 931-2871 |
Get Legal Help Applying for Social Security Benefits in Missouri
Anyone who cannot work because of a severe disability can apply for SSDI benefits. However, your chances of approval are low if you go through the process alone.
An attorney can help you file an error-free claim and increase your chance of approval. An attorney will help you compile relevant documents and evidence, manage the correspondence with the DDS, and represent you at the hearing.
At Legal Giant, we can find you the best local Missouri Social Security Disability lawyer to handle your case. Contact us for a free evaluation of your case.
