Filing for Disability in Kansas

If you live in Kansas and become unable to work, you can apply for Social Security or SSI disability benefits. Although the application process is the same in each state, disability benefits vary slightly in Kansas, in addition to how disability decisions are made, the percentage of benefits approved, additional payments provided by the State of Kansas, vocational services, and the disability-related offices. Below are the variations for Kansas.

How Disability Decisions Are Made in Kansas

In Kansas, the decision regarding your medical eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits is made by a state agency called Disability Determination Services (DDS). DDS receives your application from the local Social Security office after it is preliminarily approved based on your technical qualifications (such as income level or work history).

At DDS in Kansas, a Single Decision Maker (SDM) model is used in making decisions. The SDM model allows for a disability examiner to make the initial disability determination based on your medical record without having to consult with a medical consultant (except in the case of mental claims and children's claims). This model was enacted by Social Security in certain states to speed up the process for decisions being made.

Disability Approval Rates in Kansas

In Kansas, you have a slightly better than national average chance of being awarded Social Security or SSI disability benefits. However, if you are denied benefits and have to appeal, there is a significantly longer wait for a hearing in Kansas. The problem with a longer wait time is that it delays your ability to receive benefits or to appeal or reapply if you are denied benefits at the hearing stage. Below is a chart that compares the approval rates in Kansas to the rates nationally.

Additional Payments Provided in Kansas

The State of Kentucky pays an additional monthly payment, called the SSI state supplement, to SSI recipients who live in Medicaid facilities. The amount you receive may vary if you have additional income. The SSI supplement in Kentucky is administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Division of Healthcare Finances. They are located at 900 SW Jackson, Suite 900N, Topeka, Kansas 66612 and can be reached by telephone at (785) 296-3981. Below is a chart that lays out how much you can expect to receive per month based if you live in a Medicaid facility.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Kansas

Due to disability, some individuals may want to return to work but struggle to find a job they are able to do or keep a job once they get it. There are services available that can help disabled individuals who are trying to find and keep jobs. In Kansas, services are provided to disabled folks through Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), of the Department of Children and Families. Those who are receiving Social Security disability benefits are presumed to be disabled, meaning you do not have to prove to VR that you are disabled in order to receive services. To apply, you should do one of the following:

• Visit the VR website.
• Call (888) 369-4777.
• Visit a local VR office, or
• Call (866) 213-9079 for referral to services serving your community.

Contact Information for Disability Offices in Kansas

Disability Determination Services (DDS), the office that decides if you are disabled based on your medical record, is located in Topeka. DDS will receive your application from your local Social Security office after it is approved as meeting all technical requirements. The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR), the office that handles all appeals, has several offices in Kansas (see below). When contacting Social Security regarding your Social Security disability application, you should contact the office that is handling your application at that time.

Below is a chart that provides contact information for local DDS and ODAR offices in Kansas.

DDS

2820 SW Fairlawn Rd # 100

Topeka, KS 66614-2367

Telephone: 785-267-4440

Finding a Disability Lawyer in Kansas

If you've been denied disability benefits by Kansas DDS, you may want to hire a lawyer to help you appeal the decision (here's how a lawyer helps you win an appeal). You can visit our Kansas disability lawyer page to find a good disability attorney in your area.

by: Lorraine Netter, Contributing Author