Nearly 32% of Nevada residents have a disability of one kind or another. The number is significantly higher than the national average of 25.6%.
Unfortunately, only 3.2% of Nevada’s population receives Social Security benefits. Many people who would qualify for disability benefits are not getting them.
In Nevada, 13% of disabled residents suffer mobility-related disabilities, while 11% suffer cognition-related disabilities. The high numbers show that Social Security disability benefits, if afforded, would be of great help to them.
This post discusses everything you need about Social Security local to Nevada. Read on to learn how to qualify for these benefits and what to do in case of denial.
How Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits in Nevada
The Social Security Administration outlines the eligibility criteria for those seeking disability benefits. These requirements are the same across all states, although the applications are evaluated at the state level.
You must meet two main requirements to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. First, you must have a medical disability that limits your ability to work for at least a year.
The SSA has a “Blue Book” with a list of disabilities it approves for benefits. Consider consulting this list before filing a disability claim to ensure your condition is covered. You will unlikely receive an exemption if your disability does not appear on this list.
Second, you must have paid Social Security taxes throughout your work history. This means ten years of employment for most individuals, but the SSA can grant you a waiver if your disability makes it impossible to work in any capacity.
Most disabled people can work in some capacity. This may not disqualify you from receiving aid, but income caps apply.
Currently, disabled persons cannot qualify if they earn more than $1,310 per month. If you are a disabled employee, your employer must comply with anti-discrimination laws and make reasonable accommodations to help you complete your duties.
How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits in Nevada?
When filing for Social Security Disability, you send your application to the SSA. You can do this over the phone, online, or in person.
The easiest method is to apply online at the federal Social Security website. You only need to create an account, log in, and fill out the relevant files. You may also apply by calling the SSA at (800) 772-1213.
Those who prefer to apply in person can do so at their local Nevada Social Security offices. Nevada has four field offices: Reno, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson. Remember, you must call first to schedule an appointment before visiting the offices.
When you apply, you must provide personal information about you, your spouse, and any minor children. You must provide relevant documents of your marriage, divorce, military service, and Nevada Social Security number.
Disabled veterans may be eligible for additional benefits from Veterans Affairs. All you need to do is provide medical records supporting your disability claim.
What Happens After I Apply for Social Security Benefits in Nevada?
Every state has a disability examiner (DE) who makes medical determinations. In Nevada, disability examiners work for the Bureau of Disability Adjudication (BDA), a state agency under the Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR).
When you file for disability, the local SSA will send your file to the Nevada BDA. Most states refer to their disability determination agencies as Disability Determination Services (DDS).
The disability examiner from the BDA will review your medical records and send them to your doctor to seek their opinion. The DE may also schedule you for a consultative examination to ascertain your condition.
Next, the DE will seek the opinion of a vocational expert. The professional will compare your medical records to your work history. From this, they will determine the kind of work you can handle despite your disabling condition.
The DE will make the final decision based on the collected information. A written notice will be sent to you by your local Nevada Social Security Administration informing you whether your claim was approved.
If the DE finds you disabled, the mail notice will state how much you will be getting in benefits and when to expect the first payment. If declared not disabled, the notice will state the reason and tell you what to do to appeal the decision.
Appealing a Denial for Social Security Benefits in Nevada
Nevada approves about 34% of all initial applications, almost the same as the national average of 35%. That means the majority of applications are denied.
Claimants whose applications are denied at the initial stage can proceed with the appeals process. There are four stages of appealing your claim, and each step must be completed before moving on to the next.
Reconsideration
The reconsideration phase does not require you to provide additional documentation. The BDA will assign your application to a new disability examiner to see if an error was made in the first review. Nevada approves about 13% of applications at this stage.
Disability Hearing
Most people whose claims are denied at the reconsideration must move on to step two. You request a disability hearing before an administrative law judge at this stage.
Nevada has two Hearing and Appeals offices located in Reno and Las Vegas. Your disability hearing will be held at your nearest location, and you will be required to provide additional documents or witnesses to support your disability claim.
Appeals Council
You can request the Appeals Council to review your case if your hearing results in a denial. The Council’s purpose is to appraise all lower decisions to determine if they made a mistake.
Federal Court
If the Council denies your request, your last option is to file a lawsuit at the federal district court. Find a federal court near you in Nevada to file a lawsuit and claim your disability benefits.
Nevada SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Average Approval Rate
Nevada is in Region 9, headquartered in San Francisco. As mentioned earlier, there are two Hearing and Appeal offices in this region which service Arizona, Hawaii, California, and Nevada.
Notably, the average wait time in Nevada is slightly longer than the national average. It takes approximately 12 months to have a hearing in Nevada compared to the national average of 10 months.
The average approval rate at a hearing is equally lower. Nevada approves 50% of disability claims at the hearing level compared to the national average of 51%.
These wait times and approval rates emphasize the need for a Social Security Disability lawyer. An experienced local attorney can get you an on-the-record decision, so you won’t have to wait a whole year for a hearing.
How Do I Contact the Nevada Social Security Office Near Me?
Nevada has four Social Security field offices handling SSDI issues across the state. Below is a list of all field offices in Nevada.
You may call or visit the office near you for assistance with the application process or to check the status of your application.
SSA Field Office |
Physical Address |
Phone Number |
| Reno SSA Office | 1170 Harvard Way Reno, NV 89502 |
(888) 808-5481 |
| Las Vegas SSA Office | 1250 S Buffalo Dr Suite 150 Las Vegas, NV 89117 |
(866) 704-4859 |
| Henderson SSA Office | 10416 S Eastern Avenue Henderson, NV 89052 |
(855) 207-7088 |
| North Las Vegas SSA Office | 4340 Simmons Street North Las Vegas, NV 89032 |
(866) 614-9667 |
Get Legal Help Applying for Social Security Benefits in Nevada
The SSDI application process is a complex one. Navigating the initial application, filling out the forms, and gathering enough evidence can be time-consuming.
The appeals process, which is more formal, is much more complicated. An experienced Nevada Social Security disability lawyer can help you complete an error-free application and represent you during the appeals process.
Contact us to speak to a local Michigan disability lawyer today.
