Filing for Disability in Virginia

Virginia Disability Determination Services approves 44% of the initial disability applications it sees.

By , J.D. · Albany Law School

If you become disabled and are no longer able to work, the federal government offers two programs to provide assistance:

As federal programs, many parts of the programs are uniform throughout the United States, but there are some distinctions between the states. Below is an overview of Virginia's disability benefits and disability approval statistics for Virginia, as well as available resources in Virginia.

How Likely Am I to Be Approved for Disability Benefits in Virginia?

The percentage of disability approvals and denials, along with wait times for Social Security hearings, vary throughout the country. Below are statistics for Virginia.

  • Initial application: Virginia Disability Determination Services approves 44% of the initial applications it sees, which is significantly better than the national average of 36%.
  • Reconsideration review: At the reconsideration level (the first level of appeal), the approval rate is 15%, which is slightly better than the national average of 13%.
  • Hearing: At the disability hearing level (the second level of appeal), the approval rate in Virginia is 40%, which is much lower than the national average of 51%. This means that you don't have a great chance of getting a denial overturned at a disability hearing, but the approval rate is higher if you are represented by a disability lawyer at the hearing.
  • In Virginia, the wait time for a hearing is 9 months on average, down from 15 months in 2020.
Stage of Application

Virginia

Nationally

Initial Application Approvals

44%

36%

Reconsideration Approvals

15%

13%

Appeal Hearing Approvals

40%

51%

Hearing Wait Time

9 months

10 months

What Is the SSI State Supplement in Virginia?

As SSI is a federal program, the federal government provides the monthly payment to individuals who have SSI. For 2022, the maximum the federal government pays to individuals is $841 monthly. For couples who both qualify for SSI, the maximum is $1,261 (for those who have no other income).

Virginia adds on a generous supplemental payment to those in assisted living facilities and adult foster care. Called an "auxiliary grant," the supplement is administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services.

The amount of the auxiliary grant, which can only be used to pay for assisted living or adult foster care, varies by county. Virginia has divided the state into two areas for the purpose of supplemental SSI payments: "Planning District 8" and all other areas. Planning District 8 includes the counties of Arlington, Loudon, Prince William, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park, and the city of Alexandria.

Below are the monthly supplements offered by Virginia, combined with the federal SSI payment.

Location Combined Federal and State Amount
Planning District 8 $1,404 per month, plus an $82 personal needs allowance
All other areas $1,221 per month plus an $82 personal needs allowance

How Can I Contact DDS in Virginia?

Virginia Disability Determination Services (DDS) is where the initial decision will be made on your Social Security disability benefits (Social Security sends your application to DDS). It's also where the reconsideration review takes place (the first level of appeal). DDS has four locations throughout the state, in addition to an administrative office.

After you file your initial application, all questions and concerns should be directed to your local DDS office.

DDS Administrative Office

8004 Franklin Farms Drive
Richmond, VA 23229-5019
Telephone: 804-662-7625
Fax: (804) 662-9041

Southwest Regional DDS Office

612 S. Jefferson Street, Suite 300
Roanoke, VA 24011
Telephone: 540-857-7748 / (800) 627-1288
Fax: (540) 857-7707

Northern Regional DDS Office

11150 Fairfax Blvd, Suite 200
Fairfax, VA 22030
Telephone: 703-934-7400 / (800) 379-9548
Fax: (703) 934-7410

Tidewater Regional DDS Office

5850 Lake Herbert Drive, Suite 200
Norfolk, VA 23502
Telephone: 757-466-4300 / 800-379-4403
Fax: (757) 455-3829

Central Regional DDS Office

9960 Maryland Drive, Suite 200
Richmond, VA 23233
Telephone: 804-367-4700 / 800-523-5007
Fax: (804) 527-4523

How Can I Contact Virginia's Hearing Offices?

The Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) is the office that handles all of the disability hearings (the second level of appeal). Once you've requested a hearing, direct all of your questions to your local hearing office.

There are four hearing offices in Virginia, as well as one in D.C. and one in Morgantown, West Virginia, that service a few Social Security field offices in Virginia.

Charlottesville OHO

2nd Floor
1470 Pantops Mountain Place
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Telephone: (866) 613-2969
Fax: (833) 659-0418

Services the following field offices: Charlottesville, Culpeper, Danville, Harrisonburg, Martinsville, South Boston, and Staunton

Norfolk OHO

3rd Floor
5850 Lake Herbert Drive
Norfolk, VA 23502
Telephone: (866) 931-9167
Fax: (833) 659-0420

Services the following field offices: Accomac, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach

Richmond OHO

Suite 225
1100 E. Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Telephone: (877) 405-3665
Fax: (833) 949-2150

Services the following field offices: Chesterfield, Farmville, Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, Petersburg, and both Richmond field offices

Roanoke OHO

Second Floor, Suite 200
612 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, VA 24011
Telephone: (866) 592-3548
Fax: (833) 659-0415

Services the following field offices: Bristol, Covington, Roanoke, Wise, and Wytheville

Washington, D.C. OHO

3rd Floor
1227 25th Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20037
Telephone: (866) 414-6259
Fax: (833) 949-2152

Services the following field offices in Virginia: Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and Manassas

How Do I Apply for Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Virginia?

After experiencing a disability, you may want to try to return to work, but you might need help. In Virginia, the Consumer Vocational Rehabilitation program, through the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), is there to assist individuals to prepare to return to work, find a job, and keep that job.

To apply for vocational services, call or e-mail your local DARS office.

You can also call 800-552-5019 or email [email protected].

Updated August 12th, 2022

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