Filing for Social Security Disability in Connecticut

People living with disabilities in Connecticut may be eligible for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) or SSI disability. In Connecticut, the average SSDI payment is $1,433 and the average SSI payment is $576 (more on this below). Also, the initial approval or denial decision for Social Security or SSI disability is made by a Connecticut state agency called Disability Determination Services. Below we highlight other information about applying for SSDI or SSI that is specific to Connecticut and provide contact information for helpful resources in Connecticut.

Disability Determination Services (DDS)

Connecticut Disability Determination Services (DDS) is in charge of making the medical determination of eligibility for your Social Security application. This state agency will contact you after you apply with the Social Security office, and will determine if you are medically eligible to receive disability benefits. Here is the contact information for Connecticut DDS.

Disability Determination Services
309 Wawarme Avenue
Hartford, CT 06114
Tel: 800-842-8320

Statistics for Connecticut Disability Claims

In Connecticut, the initial approval for those applying for Social Security benefits is slightly lower than the national average, but the approval rate at the hearing level is higher than the national average. Here are the specific approval rates for Connecticut for the fiscal year 2018/2019.

Your Access to Medical Records

In Connecticut, it is state law that individuals have access to their medical records. In general, health care providers may charge patients for a copy of their medical records, but there is an exception for individuals who are applying for Social Security benefits or appealing a Social Security benefits denial. If you are applying for Social Security benefits, you must be given one free copy of your medical records. You are entitled to another free copy of your medical records to support an appeal to Social Security for a denial of benefits. Your attorney or an authorized representative may request your medical records on your behalf. In order to receive either of these free copies, you must include documents with your request for your medical records that show you are applying Social Security benefits or filing an appeal.

Your health care providers must provide you with your records within 30 days of your request.

State Supplemental Payment to SSI

The federal SSI payment can be as high as $771 for those without income, and the Connecticut State Supplement Program provides a small supplemental payment to those who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The monthly cash award depends on how much rent you pay and what other income you have. Supplemental payments, which are paid through the State Supplement to the Aged, Blind or Disabled program, can be as low as $150 for an individual living independently or as high as the cost of room and board at a residential care home or medical facility. The supplement is administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

The Vocational Rehabilitation program (VR), under the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS), is the program that the State of Connecticut offers to help persons with disabilities to find and keep jobs. VR offers services including vocational counseling, help with your job search, job training, help getting assistive technology you need to work, and support at your job if needed. As VR has limited resources, it is important to understand that not all who are disabled will receive vocational services; those with the greatest limitations will receive benefits from VR.

In order to obtain more information about or apply for VR, you may call 800-537-2549 or visit your local office. VR offers an orientation for individuals to become familiar with what VR has to offer; it is recommended that you attend orientation before applying for VR benefits.

Office of Hearings Operations

The Office of Hearing Operations (OHO) is responsible for handling all disability appeals. There are two OHO hearing offices in Connecticut that hear cases from the local SSA field offices. The contact information and the local SSA offices that they cover are listed below.

Hartford Hearing Office

135 High Street, Room 331
William R. Cotter Federal Building
Hartford, CT 06103-1193
Tel: 866-931-2878

Provides services to the following local SSA offices: Bristol, East Hartford, Hartford, Meriden, Middleton, New Britain, Torrington, Waterbury, Willimantic

New Haven Hearing Office

Connecticut Financial Center
157 Church Street, 7th Floor
New Haven, CT 06510
Tel: 866-613-2750

Provides services to the following local SSA offices: Ansonia, Bridgeport, Danbury, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Norwich, Stamford

Connecticut Disability Lawyers

If you've been denied by Connecticut DDS, you should appeal the decision rather than filing a new application. You have only 60 days to appeal. There are several reasons why being represented by a lawyer improves your chances of winning on appeal. To find an experienced disability attorney in your area, use our lawyer locator tool below.

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