According to the CDC, about 250,394 adults in Montana have a disability. This is equivalent to 29% of the population, significantly higher than the 25% national average.
The most noticeable disabilities in Big Sky Country are cognition, mobility, and hearing. A few individuals have independent living, self-care, hearing, and vision issues.
These disabilities cost Montana up to $2.6 billion annually, equating to 33% of its healthcare costs. The state provides financial assistance to disabled residents through programs such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Our main focus in this post is SSDI. Read on to learn about Social Security local to Montana.
How Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits in Montana
To qualify for SSDI, you must have a medical disability. You must present medical records, hospital bills, or physician-signed letters to prove your disability.
You may still collect Social Security Disability benefits in Montana without a specific disability. All you need to do is prove that you have a low Residual Functional Capacity that hinders you from having gainful employment.
Apart from the medical component, you must have paid enough FICA taxes over your working career to qualify for SSDI.
Generally, SSDI is an insurance plan that employed and self-employed persons pay in the form of Social Security taxes. If it comes a time when you want to file for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will check whether you paid your premiums.
The SSA quantifies this in the form of work credits. SSDI applicants should have 40 work credits, 20 earned within the past five years. But sometimes, applicants with fewer credits can qualify for SSDI, particularly younger ones.
Remember, SSDI is not an option if you are injured on the job. Instead, you may apply for other Montana Social Services, such as worker’s compensation.
How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits in Montana?
There are three main ways of filing for disability benefits:
First, you can apply in person at your local Montana Social Security Field Office. There are seven Field offices in Montana- check the list below to find one near you.
In-person application may not be suitable for individuals with mobility-related disabilities. If you are one of them, you can call the SSA hotline at (800) 772-1213 to apply over the phone. A customer representative will talk to you and guide you through the process.
Lastly, if you want an easy and convenient application, you can apply online in the comfort of your home. Just visit the SSA website, complete the Form SSA-16 application and submit evidence of your disability and supporting documents.
Some of the documentation you will need includes a birth certificate, your doctor’s contact information, a marriage or divorce certificate, your work history, and your Montana Social Security number.
What Happens After I Apply for Social Security Benefits in Montana?
When you file for disability, the Montana Social Security Administration will check whether you meet basic eligibility. If you do, Montana SSA will send your application to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office for a thorough review.
To begin the determination, the DDS will reach out to your doctors to ask more about your condition. They may even have you undergo a consultative exam by an SSA-approved doctor.
The DDS may also ask a vocational expert for their opinion. This is a professional who understands job requirements and the kind of limitations caused by different disabilities.
The vocational expert will look at your work history and compare it with your medical records. From this, they will determine whether there are jobs that your disability can accommodate.
The DDS will make the final decision based on the gathered information. You will receive a written notification stating whether your claim has been approved or denied.
If the DDS considers you disabled, the notification will state how much you qualify for and when to expect the first payment. If found not disabled, the notice will explain why and inform you of your right to appeal.
Appealing a Denial for Social Security Benefits in Montana
Unfortunately, around 37% of disability applicants in Montana receive a denial. That means the DDS found them ineligible for benefits.
You can file an appeal if you are one of those whose claims are denied. There are four phases of the appeals process, and each must be completed before moving to the next.
After receiving a denial letter, the first thing to do is to request for reconsideration. A new claims examiner will review your claim, and you will be notified of the latest decision in one to three months. Nearly 18% of disability claims in Montana are approved at the reconsideration.
In case of a second denial after reconsideration, you may request a disability hearing before an administrative law judge. You will need to present new evidence and witness statements at the hearing. Having a Social Security Disability lawyer is invaluable at this stage.
If the hearing results are unfavorable, you have two more steps to pursue. First, ask for an evaluation of your case from the Social Security Appeals Council. If this still results in denial, file a lawsuit in federal district court. But these last two levels approve very few SSDI claims.
Montana SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Average Approval Rate
Montana is in Region 8, headquartered in Denver. The Hearing and Appeal Offices in this region service Montana, Colorado, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
With all these states to serve, it takes up to 15 months in wait time to have a disability hearing in Montana. This disability hearing wait time is slightly lower than the national average of 18 months, but it is still quite long.
The average approval rate at a hearing is no better. Montana approves 45% of disability claims at the hearing stage, compared to the 46% national average.
To ensure your disability adjudication does not drag beyond a year, get an SSDI lawyer to represent you. Having a disability attorney throughout the application and appeals process can increase your chances of being approved for benefits.
How Do I Contact the Montana Social Security Office Near Me?
Montana has 7 Social Security Field offices distributed across the state. These offices deal with all matters concerning SSDI.
Here is a list of all Montana Social Security offices. Call or visit your local field office for assistance with your SSDI application, to check the status of your application, or to ask about the eligibility criteria.
SSA Field Office | Physical Address | Phone Number |
| Helena SSA Office | 10 W 15th St Suite 1600 Helena, MT 59626 | (866) 563-9496 |
| Butte SSA Office | 2201 Harrison Butte, MT 59701 | (888) 632-7068 |
| Billings SSA Office | 2900 4th Ave N Room 304 Billings, MT 59101 | (866) 895-1795 |
| Great Falls SSA Office | 2008 23rd St S Great Falls, MT 59405 | (877) 583-4114 |
| Missoula SSA Office | 3701 American Way Missoula, MT 59808 | (866) 931-9029 |
| Kalispell SSA Office | 275 Corporate Dr Suite D Kalispell, MT 59901 | (888) 487-0150 |
| Bozeman SSA Office | 3205 N 27th Avenue Bozeman, MT 59718 | (877) 405-5473 |
Get Legal Help Applying for Social Security Benefits in Montana
SSDI application is a complicated and overwhelming process. An experienced Montana Social Security Disability lawyer can help you complete an error-free application and increase your chances of being approved for benefits.
An experienced attorney can manage the correspondence and communicate with the SSA and DDS on your behalf. They can also help you navigate the appeals process and represent you at the hearing.
Don’t go through the process alone. Contact us today to speak with a local SSD attorney to help with your case.
