232,359 adults in New Hampshire have some form of disability affecting their ability to work. This is equivalent to 21% and is at par with the national average of 25.6%.
Unfortunately, only a small fraction of these disabled residents receives Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). Only 40,000 North Hampshire residents currently receive disability benefits, though many others would likely qualify.
Why do so many people fail to qualify for SSDI despite having physical and intellectual disabilities?
To answer this question, let us look at SSDI qualification requirements and what you can do to qualify for these New Hampshire social services. Read on to learn more about Social Security local to New Hampshire.
How Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits in New Hampshire?
It is essential to know that the eligibility criteria for Social Security Disability (SSD) are the same regardless of where you stay. That means every state’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) must review your claim and establish whether to approve your disability application.
Generally, you must prove that your disability is severe enough and that you have worked long enough to pay into the Social Security system.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a Blue Book, also called a comprehensive list of disabilities which considers “severe” as a disability that limits your ability to work for 12 months and above or leads to death. It would help if you considered consulting this list before applying for SSDI benefits.
You also must show a consistent work history, which generally means at least 10 years of employment. However, a waiver can be granted if your disability impairs your ability to work.
Suppose you still have some capacity to work. In that case, the law offers you protection against disability discrimination, and your employer must provide any reasonable accommodation to enable you to complete your job responsibilities.
How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits in New Hampshire?
The application process is very much alike across states, if not identical. There are three ways of applying for SSDI in New Hampshire- online, by phone, or in person at your closest New Hampshire Social Security office.
The easiest and fastest method is applying online at the Social Security field website. You may also call the national number at (800) 772-1213 to have a representative walk you through the process and answer your queries.
If you prefer to apply in person, find the closest New Hampshire social security office listed below and make an appointment. The state currently has six field offices.
The most important thing to do before applying is to compile relevant documents to send along with your application. Usually, you will need medical records related to your disability, including the contact information of the physicians or hospitals.
You must also provide personal information about yourself, your spouse, and your children. This may include such information as date of birth, marriage or divorce records, employment history, and military contacts for active service members.
What Happens After I Apply for Social Security Benefits in New Hampshire?
Once you apply for SSDI, the SSA will send your application to the DDS for review. The DDS makes disability determinations for residents who apply for SSDI.
To begin with, the DDS will evaluate your application to determine whether you meet the basic qualifications for SSDI. If you qualify, the agency will gather your medical records and send them to the physician treating you for the disability.
The physician must fill out a questionnaire describing your condition and how it affects your ability to work. You should follow up with your doctor to ensure they complete the questionnaire promptly.
The DDS will also ask for input from a vocational expert. These are individuals who understand job requirements and limitations caused by disability.
The vocational expert will look at your work history and medical records to determine the kind of jobs that you can comfortably do with your disabling condition.
Once done collecting all this info, the DDS will conclude whether you are disabled or not. If they consider you not to be disabled, they will deny your application. But you may file an appeal if you want to continue the process.
If found to be disabled, you will be issued a New Hampshire Social Security number and start receiving benefits within a few months.
Appealing a Denial for Social Security Benefits in New Hampshire
Disability claimants in New Hampshire are lucky because the state has some of the highest approval ratings in the country. In New Hampshire, 52% of applications are accepted during the initial application.
Compare this to the 35% national average, and you’ll understand why the process of receiving SSD benefits is so complex.
You can pursue the appeals process if your application is not approved at the initial stage. Each stage of appeals has to be completed within 60 days of the previous denial, and you must complete each step before moving to the next.
The first is requesting a new DDS representative to reconsider your application and establish whether an error was made. You do not necessarily have to provide additional information; this is usually easy.
Next is requesting a formal hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ). Be ready to present additional documentation and witnesses to substantiate your claim. Some individuals opt to seek the legal counsel of a disability lawyer at this point.
Your disability hearing will be held at the Hearing and Appeal Office in Manchester. Of those fortunate enough to get a hearing, 51% are approved for benefits.
If your application is still denied at the hearing, you may request an Appeals Council to review all the previous lower decisions. And if the Appeals Council upholds the former decisions, you have one more chance of appealing to the federal courts.
A judge at the federal district court in New Hampshire will review the decision made by the Appeal’s Court and make the final determination. If you make it to this stage, you possibly need an experienced disability lawyer to represent you.
New Hampshire SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Average Approval Rate
The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) oversees disability across all social security field offices. The ODAR office in Manchester, New Hampshire, schedules disability hearings for the state’s six Social Security field offices.
It takes an average of thirteen months to schedule a hearing for a New Hampshire SSD applicant. It takes another 45 to 90 days after this hearing to receive a notice informing you whether the judge presiding over your case ruled in your favor.
Despite this wait time, the average approval rate is rewarding. Almost two-thirds of New Hampshire SSD applicants get their claims approved during a disability hearing.
How Do I Contact the New Hampshire Social Security Office Near Me?
The New Hampshire Social Security Administration attends to disabled adults in the state with six Social Security Field Offices.
In New Hampshire, about 7.5% of disabled adults meet the SSA’s disability standards, and the SSA reimburses approximately $70 million in monthly benefits.
If you need help during the SSD application process, contact the disability office near you for assistance.
| Social Security Field Offices | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Concord Office | 70 Commercial St Concord NH 03301 | 1-603-225-8475 |
| Manchester Office | 2 Wall St Manchester NH 03101 | (603) 641-2180 |
| Keene Office | 34 Mechanic Street Keene NH 03431 | (603) 352-3487 |
| Littleton Office | 177 Main Street Littleton NH 03561 | (603) 444-2945 |
| Nashua Office | 175 Amherst St Nashua NH 03064 | (603) 880-0295 |
| Portsmouth Office | 80 Daniel St Portsmouth NH 03801 | (603) 433-0716 |
Get Legal Help Applying for Social Security Benefits in New Hampshire
Social Security Disability Insurance application is a complex and exhausting process. An experienced New Hampshire Social Security disability lawyer will assist you in completing an error-free application and increase your odds of being approved for benefits.
Your attorney can also help you navigate the appeals process if your application is denied. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation with a New Hampshire SSDI attorney.
