Social Security Local to West Virginia

Nearly 39.2% of West Virginian residents have a form of disability affecting their ability to work. According to the CDC. 21.1% of this population have mobility challenges, 19.1% have severe issues with cognition, and 12.6% cannot live independently.

All these members with mobility and cognition challenges or who cannot live independently are classified as those of the state with special needs. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers some benefits to help them live longer and happier lives.

One of the forms of assistance is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which is a program that provides income to individuals who cannot work because of a disabling condition.

There are specific requirements a person must meet to qualify for SSDI benefits. Generally, you must have worked and paid into the Social Security system to qualify.

This post will detail the qualification requirements and how to apply for SSDI. Read on to learn more about Social Security local to West Virginia.

How Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits in West Virginia

SSDI is a federal program for disabled members of a state who have contributed to the Social Security system. The law governing the program is the same across all states, with a few differences.

Generally, the Social Security Administration (SSA) issues SSDI benefits to individuals with long-term disabilities if they contribute to the Social Security trust fund. According to the SSA, a long term-disability must last 12 months or longer or result in death.

A surviving spouse or other family members can also file for the SSDI of a qualified worker. The SSA will determine whether your disability limits your ability to work and approve your application if it does.

How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits in West Virginia?

To apply for West Virginia Social Services, you must submit your application to the SSA. You can do this by filling out an online application form or visiting your nearest SSA field office in West Virginia.

You can also call the national SSA toll to apply over the phone. An SSA official will talk to you and guide you through the application process.

Remember to gather your medical records and additional documents before you apply for benefits. Generally, you will need to provide your birth certificate or your West Virginia Social Security number, your treatment records, the contact information of your treating physician, and your work history.

When filing for SSDI, it is advisable to use the services of a disability attorney. An attorney will help you gather all the necessary evidence to support your claim.

What Happens After I Apply for Social Security Benefits in West Virginia?

When you apply for SSDI, the SSA reviews your application to determine whether you meet basic requirements.

If you do, the SSA will send your application to the West Virginia Department of Disability Determination Services (DDS) for a thorough assessment. The DDS will authorize a Disability Evaluation Specialist (DES), who assesses your eligibility for benefits.

The DES will look at your medical records to establish whether your condition is severe enough to qualify for benefits. They may arrange for a consultative examination at the expense of the DDS if your medical records are insufficient to decide.

Once this is done, the DES will assess how much you can do despite your limitation. They may seek the opinion of vocational experts, who will compare your work history and medical records to see if you fit any job.

After evaluating your evidence and comparing it to the SSA program rules, the DES will make the final decision. The SSA will contact you with the results, informing you whether you qualify for benefits.

If you are approved for benefits, you will start receiving your payments after five months. If your claim is denied, you will have a chance to appeal the decision.

Appealing a Denial for Social Security Benefits in West Virginia

West Virginia Social Security Administration approves only 30% of first-time disability applications. This means most applicants must undergo one or two stages of appeals to be approved for benefits.

If your claim was denied, the first thing to do is to request a reconsideration. Here, you ask the DDS to appoint a new claims examiner to review the initial determination to know whether an error occurred. 11% of appeals are approved at this level.

You can request a disability hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ) if you are not lucky at the reconsideration. An attorney is very helpful at this stage because they will know how to present your case and additional evidence to bring to increase your odds of approval.

If the ALJ denies your claim, your next option is to request a review by the Social Security Appeals Council. The Council will review the ALJ’s decision and either uphold or overturn it.

If the Council maintains the decision made at the hearing or denies your request, you can file a lawsuit at the federal district court in West Virginia. Very few cases reach this stage, and if your claim is denied here, you have no more opportunity for recourse.

West Virginia SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Average Approval Rate

West Virginia is in Region 3, with its headquarters in Philadelphia. There are only three Hearing and Appeal Offices in this region that service Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia.

With only three hearing offices for all these states, it takes up to 18 months to have a disability hearing in West Virginia, the same as the national average.

The average approval rate is, however, impressive. West Virginia approves 53% of disability claims at the hearing level, much higher than the 46% national average.

Having a lawyer can prevent you from waiting this long and increase your chances of approval. An experienced West Virginia Social Security disability lawyer can get you an “on the record” decision without waiting for an actual hearing.

How Do I Contact the West Virginia Social Security Office Near Me?

West Virginia has 16 Social Security field offices that handle all issues concerning SSDI. The list below contains the addresses and contact information of all field offices in the state.

You can visit or call the West Virginia Social Security office near you to ask about eligibility and application for SSDI.

Get Legal Help Applying for Social Security Benefits in West Virginia

The SSDI application process can be complex and exhausting, especially when dealing with a severe disability.

An experienced West Virginia Social Security disability lawyer can guide you through the application process and make it more manageable.

A lawyer can help you compile your medical records and the evidence you need to be approved for benefits.

At Legal Giant, we can connect you with the best local SSD attorneys in West Virginia. Contact us for a free consultation and review of your case.