Unfortunately, it is never easy to win a claim for Social Security Disability Benefits (SSD) in Ohio. The SSA sends claims to the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities’ Division of Disability Determination (DDD).
The DDD follows federal regulations when it determines if an applicant meets the necessary medical requirements for SSD benefits. The DDD tends to deny a claim if it does not meet medical and/or technical requirements. Typically, the technical reasons are the most common cause for denials.
A technical denial might be due to incorrect paperwork, a deadline that has been missed or the failure to file the right type of forms or submit them to the correct office. However, you can file an appeal when your application for a disability benefit is denied in Ohio.
Filing an Appeal for Social Security Disability Benefits in Ohio
You will know when your SSD claim has been denied as you will be sent a denial letter. You are normally given just 60 days from receiving the denial letter to file an appeal. The next step is filing a request for reconsideration. At this stage, an officer from the DDD will review your claim. You will need to ensure you provide new medical evidence that will support your claim.
Ohio ALJ Disability Hearings
If the DDD officer still denies your claim you are given 60 days from the denial date to request a hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ). You will be informed at least 20 in advance of the hearing date, location and time.
You may need an attorney to present your case to the ALJ. You likely will need to provide testimonies from medical and vocational expert witnesses. Once the case has been heard, the ALJ should announce the decision at the end of the hearing.
However judge may still wait a few weeks or even months before releasing a written opinion. If your claim is approved by the ALJ you should begin to receive your benefits as soon as the ALJ opinion has been released and your claim has been processed.
Ohio Office of Hearing Operations Locations
The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) offices can be found in the following locations in Ohio:
Akron
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
4th Floor
121 South Main Street
Akron, Ohio 44308
Telephone: (866) 708-3209
Fax: (330) 535-6052
Columbus
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
401 North Front Street, Room 400
Columbus, OH 43215
Telephone: (614) 469-7404
Fax: (614) 469-6786
Cincinnati
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Enquirer Building, Suite 2100
312 Elm Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Telephone: (513) 361-0250
Fax: (513) 361-0282
Dayton
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
10 N Ludlow Street, Suite 800
Courthouse Plaza SW
Dayton, Ohio 45402
Telephone: (937) 225-7233
Fax: (937) 225-7701
Cleveland
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
US Bank Centre, 7th Floor
1350 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Telephone: (877) 402-0822
Fax: (216) 522-3344
Toledo
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
One Sea Gate Center, 13th Floor
Toledo, Ohio 43604
Telephone: (866) 783-7304
Fax: (419) 241-8234
Get Help With Your Ohio SSD Appeal
If your claim for SSDI benefits was denied, you should consider contacting an attorney who may help you to build up sufficient evidence that can support your claim at an appeal’s hearing with an ALJ.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation on this page to get in touch with an independent, participating attorney who subscribes to the website and takes cases in Ohio.
