Filing for Social Security Disability in Iowa

The State of Iowa provides a generous supplement to the federal SSI disability payment.

By , J.D. · Albany Law School

Iowa disability benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are provided through federal programs for those who are disabled and are unable to work. As federal programs, many of the processes are uniform throughout the United States, but each state's disability benefits are slightly different, including disability approval rates, how much you will receive monthly, vocational services provided, and contact information for local offices.

Disability Approval Rates and Wait Times in Iowa

At the initial application stage, 38% of those who apply for Social Security disability benefits in Iowa are approved, while nationally 35% on average are approved. At the reconsideration stage, only 9% of those appeals from Iowa are approved, with 13% being approved nationally.

At the hearing stage in Iowa, your chances of getting approved are more favorable than the national average (55% compared to 45%). Additionally, the wait time for a hearing in Iowa before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is shorter. In Iowa, the wait time is 15 months.

Stage of Application

Iowa

Nationally

Initial Application

38%

35%

Reconsideration Review

9%

13%

Appeal Hearing

55%

45%

Hearing Wait Time

15 months

19 months

Iowa State Supplement to SSI

SSI recipients receive a set monthly benefit from the federal government plus a supplemental payment from the state, called State Supplementary Assistance. The State of Iowa only pays individuals in certain living situations this supplemental payment, as follows:

Living Situation

Iowa Payment

(Individual/Couple)

Living with a dependent person

$398

Family life or boarding home

$142

Living in the household of another

$398

Residential care

$103 personal needs allowance plus per diem rate

This state program, called State Supplementary Assistance (SSA), is administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) for those in residential care or receiving in-home health care. Social Security Administration administers all of the other types of state supplement.

DDS Contact Information

Disability Determination Services (DDS) is the office in Iowa that makes all medical decisions on disability claims. After your application is reviewed by your local Social Security Administration office for technical requirements (such as income levels or time worked), your application is sent to DDSB for review of your medical record to decide if you are disabled and unable to work. Once you file your application, you should contact your local DDS office with any questions. Below is the contact information for the DDS office in Iowa.

Iowa Disability Determination Services
535 SW 7th St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
(800) 532-1223 ext. 5
Website: http://www.ivrs.iowa.gov

Hearing Office Contact Information

The Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) is the office that handles Social Security appeals. If you have an appeal, you will deal directly with OHO. In Iowa, there are two hearing offices that are overseen by a Regional Office located in Missouri. Below is the contact information for the OHO offices.

West Des Moines Hearing Office

Building 1, Suite 300
1501 50th Street
West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Telephone: (877) 628-6577
Serves the following local offices: Ames, Burlington, Carroll, Cedar Rapids, Creston, Decorah, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Iowa City, Marshalltown, Mason City, Ottumwa, Waterloo

Omaha, NB Hearing Office

Exec Center, Suite 500
1000 N 90th Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68114
Telephone: (888) 881-4633
Serves the following local offices: Carroll, Council Bluffs, Creston, Sioux City

Vocational Rehabilitative Services in Iowa

Individuals who are disabled may face special struggles when trying to return to work. In Iowa, Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) is the department that handles vocational services and works to place individuals with disabilities in jobs. There are 28 area offices and 10 service units across the state. Below is the contact information for the main IVRS office.

IOWA REHABILITATION SERVICES BUREAU

510 East 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Telephone: (515) 281-4211

Information on Iowa Disability Lawyers

A disability lawyer can increase your chances of winning a disability hearing. If you've been denied benefits, you can contact an attorney by visiting our Iowa disability lawyers page for a free consultation.

Updated May 30, 2019

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