SSDI Benefits in Missouri

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program funded through employee payroll taxes. This program provides benefits to Missouri residents who have become disabled and can't work as a result.

SSDI is not a needs-based program, meaning it isn't about how much money you have but rather about your disability and work history.

About the Social Security Administration (SSA)

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the federal agency responsible for managing the SSDI program. This agency oversees the application process, determines eligibility, and dispenses monthly payments to those who qualify.

The SSA has strict guidelines for what constitutes a disability and how to evaluate each claim.

How to Qualify for SSDI

Eligibility for SSDI in Missouri is determined by your disability and your work history. You must have a medical condition that meets the SSA's definition of disability, and you must have enough work credits.

Disability &mdash You must have a medical condition that meets the SSA's strict definition of disability. The SSA only considers conditions that are severe enough to prevent an individual from performing a substantial gainful activity (SGA) for at least 12 months.

Short-term or partial disabilities don't meet the SSA's definition. In other words, you must be unable to perform any work, not just the work you've done in the past.

Work Credits &mdash Work credits are earned by paying into Social Security through payroll taxes. The number of work credits needed depends on your age when you become disabled. Typically, you need 40 credits, but it can depend on other factors like the age you became disabled.

How to Apply for SSDI in Missouri

When it comes to applying for SSDI in Missouri, you have a few options.

The best way to apply is online. You can also apply over the phone or in person at a local Social Security office.

When applying, it's important to have all the required information ready. This includes your Social Security number, birth certificate, names and dosages of all medications, medical records, lab results, a summary of where you've worked and what type of work you did, and your most recent W-2.

Apply for SSDI Benefits Online: https://secure.ssa.gov/iClaim/dib

Apply By Phone: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 8:00 am - 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Information Needed to Apply for SSDI in Missouri

To complete your application, have the following information ready:

• Your Social Security number and proof of age
• Contact information for your doctors, caseworkers, and hospitals where you've been treated
• A list of medications and medical tests
• Detailed work history for the last 15 years
• Your most recent W-2 form or tax return if self-employed
• Education and training background

Appeals

If your initial application is denied, don't lose hope. Many claims are denied at first but are later approved during the appeals process. There are four levels of appeal: Reconsideration, Hearing by an administrative law judge, Review by the Appeals Council, and Federal Court review.

If you disagree with a decision at any point during the process, you can move on to the next stage and continue your appeal &mdash all the way to a federal court.

What Is a Consultative Examination?

During the SSDI application process, the DDS may request additional information to help decide whether you're disabled. This may `lead` to a Consultative Examination (CE) request.

A CE is a type of medical exam that is paid for by the SSA covers. The exam could consist of a physical or psychological evaluation, based on the kind of information the DDS needs to make a decision.

The report from the CE comprises several elements, including your medical history, symptoms, the doctor's observations from the examination, any test results, and the doctor's assessment of your capacity to perform tasks related to work. Tasks could include sitting, walking, lifting, carrying, and remembering instructions.

The doctor administering the CE is not there to provide any treatment. Their role is solely to conduct the examination and relay their findings to the DDS.

The SSI Program in Missouri

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program in Missouri provides financial aid to people with limited income and resources who are either 65 or older, blind, or disabled. To qualify, you need to meet specific income and resource limits, and you must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.

Eligible guidelines require applicants to belong to one of the following groups:

• Adults aged 65 and above
• People who are blind
• People who are unable to work because of a disability

Apply for SSI Benefits Online: https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/start.html

Apply By Phone: Call 1-800-772-1213

To apply, you can contact your local Social Security office, call the SSA's toll-free number (1-800-772-1213), or apply online if you are applying for an adult disability benefit. Documentation such as proof of income and resources, medical evidence, and proof of age will be required during the application process.

In Missouri, SSI recipients automatically qualify for Medicaid, which provides health coverage. Most people who receive SSI in Missouri are also eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which offers benefits to buy nutritious food. This helps ensure that SSI beneficiaries in Missouri can also access healthcare and food assistance.

What's the Difference Between SSI vs SSDI?

The key difference between SSI and SSDI lies in their funding and eligibility requirements. SSDI is based on the credits from the work you've done, while SSI is a need-based program funded by general tax revenues.

Missouri - Social Security Disability Office Locations