According to the CDC, 440,271 adults in New Mexico have a disability. That translates to 26% of the population, slightly higher than the national average.
Most of these disabled adults have cognitive and mobility-related disabilities. With cognitive disabilities, an individual will have difficulty with decision-making, memory, and concentration, among other mental disorders.
Disability linked with independent living comes third, affecting one in every ten adults in New Mexico. Such disabilities jeopardize their ability to complete tasks independently or even care for themselves. Other forms of disabilities include hearing and vision issues.
Fortunately, New Mexico affords federal programs such as Social Services Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to individuals who cannot work because of disabling conditions.
SSDI is our primary focus in this post. Read on to know the qualification requirements and how to apply for these New Mexico Social Services.
How Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits in New Mexico
SSDI is a federal program, so the qualification requirements are the same across the United States except for a few exceptions across some states.
To qualify for SSDI, you must have had a job covered by Social Security and acquired enough work credits. The number of work credits needed to be eligible for benefits will depend on your age.
Generally, a person needs 40 work credits, 20 earned within the past ten years. However, a younger worker may qualify with fewer credits.
In addition to the work credit requirement, your medical condition must meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of disability.
Your medical condition should have lasted for or is likely to last more than a year or lead to death, hindering you from working altogether. The SSA even has a Blue Book listing all disabilities that qualify for benefits.
Though the chances are slim, it is possible to qualify for benefits when your condition is not listed in the Blue Book. But you must have undisputable proof that your illness is as severe as the listed conditions or prevents you from doing the work you previously did when healthy.
How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits in New Mexico?
There are three ways of applying for SSD benefits; online, over the phone, or in person.
You can apply for SSD in New Mexico by filling out an online application for benefits. All you need to do is to create and sign in to your Social Security account and complete the online application.
If you choose to apply by phone, call the national SSA hotline at (800) 772-1213. The line is open on weekdays from 7 am to 7 pm.
If you prefer to apply in person, visit your local New Mexico Social Security office to fill out the disability application papers. There are several field offices in New Mexico, so find one closest to you.
Regardless of the application method, you must ensure all documentation is ready before applying. You will need to provide your personal information, medical records, latest tax return, employment history for the last 15 years, and New Mexico Social Security number.
What Happens After I Apply for Social Security Benefits in New Mexico?
Although SSDI is a federal program, every state has its agency that qualifies people for disability benefits.
For New Mexico, the Disability Determination Services (DDS) of the New Mexico Department of Health and Human Services handles all disability adjudications to determine who is eligible and who is not.
So, when you apply for SSD benefits, the SSA will send it to the DDS for determination.
The agency will first look at your substantial productive activity. You are automatically disqualified if you work full-time or make a significant income.
If you are not working, the next thing is to determine the severity of your condition by looking at your medical records- only those with severe disability qualify for SSD.
The DDS uses set standards to determine severity. Your physical or mental impairment must meet these criteria.
The DDS will further determine how your condition hinders you from carrying out your past work. To help them with this, you must provide a list of places you worked in the past 15 years before you suffered the disabling condition.
Remember, even if you have a severe disability, you will not qualify for SSD benefits if you can still perform your past job.
The DDS will seek the assistance of a vocational expert to determine whether there is any work you can do with reasonable accommodation. If the vocational expert says that your impairment prevents you from performing different kinds of work, you will be eligible for SSDI.
If you meet all the above requirements, you will be approved for disability benefits. Note that there are exceptions for the visually impaired, deceased worker’s dependents, disabled children, and disabled veterans.
Appealing a Denial for Social Security Benefits in New Mexico
New Mexico’s DDS approves only 33% of disability claims at the initial application. That means the majority of SSDI claims are denied.
You can rightfully appeal the decision if you are one of those whose claim is denied. An appeal must be filed within 60 days of receiving the denial notice.
There are four levels of appeal:
Reconsideration: Usually, you file for reconsideration online.You will have 60 days from your denial to file an application. At this level of appeal, another person who was not part of the previous determination will review your application. It will take three to five months to know the verdict.
Disability Hearing: If the reconsideration is denied, you may request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). You will be required to provide additional evidence and arguments on why you should be considered for SSD benefits.
Appeals Council: If the judge still denies your case, you can request the Social Security Appeals Council to review your case. The Council will either deny your request or return your case to the ALJ for a new hearing.
Federal District Court: If the Appeals Council declines your request, you can file a lawsuit with the federal district court. This is your last option, so any decision made here is final.
The appeals process is overwhelming and complex, so most people hire a lawyer. An SSDI lawyer can offer legal advice, help you navigate the process, and increase your chances of winning the appeal for your disability benefits.
New Mexico SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Average Approval Rate
As mentioned earlier, only a few New Mexico SSD applicants are approved for benefits during the first application stage. The rest must request a reconsideration and a disability hearing before being approved for benefits.
Statistically, the New Mexico Social Security Administration approves 14% of reconsideration requests. The rest proceeds to the hearing.
Fortunately, ALJs approve up to 50% of disability claims at the hearing, above the 46% national average.
However, the wait time for a hearing in New Mexico is quite long. It takes an average of 13 months from filing a disability hearing request to the date an ALJ decides your case.
These wait times and average approval rates show the importance of having a lawyer on your side. Applicants represented by an SSD lawyer are three times more likely to be approved for benefits than those who go through the process alone.
How Do I Contact the New Mexico Social Security Office Near Me?
New Mexico has 10 Social Security field offices that serve disability applicants. These offices work under the Administrative Hearings Office (AHO) in Albuquerque.
Depending on where you stay, contact the field office near you from the list below for help. Your local New Mexico Social Security field office can help file your disability claim, check your application status or answer any of your SSD queries.
SSA Field Office |
Physical Address |
Phone Number |
| Albuquerque SSA Office | 500 Lead Ave SW Suite 100 Albuquerque, NM 87102 |
(866) 613-9961 |
| Roswell SSA Office | Room 122 500 N Richardson Avenue Roswell, NM 88201 |
(866) 563-9470 |
| Santa Fe SSA Office | 1922 5th Street Santa Fe, NM 87505 |
(866) 571-8130 |
| Gallup SSA Office | 2070 East Aztec Avenue Gallup, NM 87301 |
(888) 810-3744 |
| Clovis SSA Office | 1208 Arcineiga Dr Odar Clovis, NM 88101 |
(866) 931-9945 |
| Las Cruces SSA Office | 2141 Summit Court Las Cruces, NM 88011 |
(866) 563-9294 |
| Farmington SSA Office | 4650 N Butler Farmington, NM 87401 |
(866) 931-7656 |
| Rio Rancho SSA Office | 4433 Jager Dr NE Rio Rancho, NM 87144 |
(866) 530-7783 |
| Hobbs SSA Office | 501 E Bender Blvd Hobbs, NM 88240 |
(866) 254-2611 |
| Las Vegas SSA Office | 2520 Ridge Runner Rd Las Vegas, NM 87701 |
(866) 635-0856 |
Get Legal Help Applying for Social Security Benefits in New Mexico
Applying for Social Security Disability benefits is not an easy process. It requires you to complete all the necessary paperwork and submit them on time.
You also must gather enough medical evidence to support your claim. An experienced local New Mexico SSD lawyer can help you with all these aspects.
A lawyer will help you collect the needed evidence and represent you during the appeals.
At Legal Giant, we have helped many disabled persons in New Mexico apply for SSD benefits. We understand the application and appeals processes and can help you throughout the case.
Contact us for a free consultation with a New Mexico SSD lawyer today.
