On average, 24% of adults living in North Dakota have a disability, which is almost at par with the national average. That means that nearly one in every four adults in North Dakota has a disability that prevents them from earning an income.
These disabilities cost the Flickertail State millions of dollars in healthcare expenses and yearly productivity losses. The most common types of disability are cognitive, mobility, and hearing, which affect the affected population’s ability to live independently.
Other types of disability include independent living, vision, and self-care disabilities.
Fortunately, North Dakota offers Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a federal program that affords income to individuals who cannot work because of a disabling condition.
The SSDI helps disabled North Dakota residents meet their basic needs, including housing, food, and medical expenses.
If you live with a disability in North Dakota, you may wonder if you qualify for these benefits. This post will discuss everything you need to know about North Dakota social security disability insurance and eligibility for the benefits.
Read on to learn more.
How Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits in North Dakota
To qualify for SSDI North Dakota, you must demonstrate to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that you are eligible both medically and non-medically.
Medical eligibility refers to having your disability approved by the SSA. You show this by availing documentation like healthcare costs, medical records, and letters from employers.
Suppose you do not have a specific disability listed in the SSA Listing of Impairment. In that case, you may present proof of having a low Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) resulting from a chronic condition, for example.
An SSDI attorney could help you craft a great SSDI application with higher odds of approval by assisting you in gathering essential evidence of your disability.
Non-medical eligibility, the other prerequisite, means that the social security taxes you have paid throughout your work life must be enough to meet the SSDI requirements.
A social security benefits application generally requires 40 SSDI work credits, which you acquire by earning a specific income through formal employment or self-employment.
As of 2022, $1,510 in wages makes one work credit. Half of these credits must have been earned in the last ten years preceding your disability.
How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits in North Dakota?
You can apply for SSDI in North Dakota either online, in person, or on the phone. The easiest method among the three is applying online via the North Dakota Social Security Administration website.
You only need to create an account on the SSA website and complete the required forms for online applications.
If you prefer to apply by phone, you may call the SSA at 1-800-492-4283. You will begin the application process over the phone if you are eligible.
For in-person applications, you can walk into one of the seven North Dakota SSA field offices in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, Williston, Jamestown, and Devils Lake. Choose one near you and make an appointment with the local North Dakota Social security office.
Veterans can apply for other North Dakota Social Services, such as VA benefits which the Department of Veterans Affairs provides. A resident can concurrently collect Social Security Disability benefits and a monthly VA benefit.
What Happens After I Apply for Social Security Benefits in North Dakota?
Once you have submitted your application, it will be sent to the state agency Disability Determination Service (DDS).
The DDS is responsible for making disability determinations in the whole state. The DDS will assign a claims examiner to evaluate your case and determine whether you are honestly medically disabled.
After evaluating your evidence and work experience and establishing that you meet the SSA program rules, the DDS will return your application to the SSA.
The SSA will then contact you with the results after determining your eligibility for benefits. You will get a North Dakota Social Security Number (SSN) and begin receiving payments if eligible.
If denied, you will receive a notice explaining the reasons and options for appealing the decision.
Appealing a Denial for Social Security Benefits in North Dakota
58% of initial SSDI applications are denied in North Dakota, which is way better than the 70% national average. The good thing is, if your SSD claim is not approved, you may Request for Reconsideration and present additional evidence to the SSDI disability examiner at the Disability Determination Services.
You may request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) if sif your request for reconsideration is denied. If the ALJ denies your appeal, you may file a request for review with the Appeals Council.
The Appeals Council can either deny your request or send your case to a different ALJ for a second review after the hearing. If they still deny your request, the last option would be to take your case to a district court in the federal court system. But most cases don’t get to this point.
Hiring an SSDI attorney can be beneficial if your case goes into disability adjudication. A lawyer will help you send a robust application with a better chance of getting approved at the initial stage.
North Dakota SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Average Approval Rate
North Dakota’s SSD applicants with apparent medical disabilities get their claims approved during the initial application stage. But those whose claims are denied should consider pursuing reconsideration and disability hearing.
North Dakota’s approval and denial rates nearly match the national average. However, the state excels in average hearing wait time and average processing time.
The state’s average hearing wait time is 12 months, slightly below the national average of 14.8 months. That means a North Dakota resident can expect to complete the application process faster than usual.
The average approval rate, however, is slightly lower than the national average. In North Dakota, 42% of cases are approved at Appeal Hearings, against the 43% national average.
How Do I Contact the North Dakota Social Security Office Near Me?
Below is a list of social security offices that serve disabled residents in North Dakota. Don’t hesitate to contact these offices if you have questions concerning the social security application process.
Contact your nearest North Dakota social security office below if you are applying for benefits or have already applied for disability and need assistance.
| Bismarck Office | 1680 E Capitol Ave, Bismarck ND 58501 | (701) 250-4200 |
|---|---|---|
| Devils Lake Office | 221 2nd St Nw Ste 1 Devils Lake ND 58301 | (701) 662-6290 |
| Fargo Office | 657 N 2 Ave Fargo ND 58102 | (877) 335-4114 |
| Grand Forks Office | 402 Demers Ave Grand Forks ND 58201 | (701) 772-5518 |
| Jamestown Office | 300 2nd Ave Ne Ste 134 Jamestown ND 58401 | (701) 252-6024 |
| Minot Office | 100 1st St Sw Minot ND 58701 | (701) 852-0604 |
| Williston Office | 1137 2nd Ave West Williston ND 58801 | (701) 572-0682 |
Get Legal Help Applying for Social Security Benefits in South Dakota
The social security disability application process can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with a disabling condition.
An experienced SSD lawyer can help you navigate the application process and increase your chances of getting the benefits you deserve. Contact a lawyer at Legal Giant today to get help with your SSD claim in North Dakota.
We offer a free no-obligation consultation and review of your case.
