Filing for Disability in Louisiana

If you live in Louisiana and can't work for at least a year due to illness or injury, you could be eligible for Social Security disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. In order to qualify for SSDI, you must have earned a certain number of "work credits." SSI is a needs-based disability program.

While these federal benefit programs are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), there are some differences in the approval rate and timing of appeals in Louisiana that you should know about.

How Do I Apply for SSDI or SSI in Louisiana?

You can apply for disability benefits in one of three ways:

• Online – visit the SSA's website at www.ssa.gov.
• Via telephone – call 800-772-1213.
• In person – at an SSA field office (find the nearest one at www.ssa.gov/locator).

If you're applying for SSI, you can do so in person or via telephone, but the SSI application can't be completed online.

What Happens If I Am Denied Disability Benefits in Louisiana?

Around 40% of those who apply for disability in Louisiana have their initial applications denied. It takes an average of three to five months for this decision to arrive, and once received, you have 60 days to appeal a disability denial.

Stage of Application	Louisiana	Nationally
Initial Application	40%	36%
Reconsideration Review	16%	13%
Appeal Hearing	56%	51%
Hearing Wait Time	10 months	10 months

Disability Appeal Hearings

Although Louisiana's hearing wait times have decreased in recent years, there will likely be several months between when you request a disability hearing and when your hearing takes place. The average wait for a disability hearing in Louisiana is currently 10 months.

At your Social Security hearing, the administrative law judge (ALJ) who has been assigned to your case will ask you questions about your past employment, your illnesses or injuries, and what you do on a daily basis. Sometimes the SSA hires a doctor or vocational (employment) expert to give an opinion on your case.

You should receive the judge's decision in writing within 30 days of your hearing date. More than half of Louisiana Social Security disability hearings result in the claimant (applicant) receiving a favorable decision (also known as an approval).

If the ALJ doesn't rule in your favor, there are two more steps in the SSA appeals process.

Appeals Council Review

You can request that the SSA's Appeals Council review the judge's decision to determine if the ALJ made an error. However, relatively few decisions are overturned by the Appeals Council.

Federal Court Case

If you haven't been successful after requesting the Appeals Council review your case, you can file a disability case in federal court. You're required to be represented by a licensed attorney to take this step, and disability claims that reach this level generally involve complex legal or procedural issues.

What Is the Louisiana SSI State Supplement?

Some states pay substantial monthly supplements beyond the SSI payment the federal government makes. However, Louisiana offers only a small monthly supplemental payment to SSI recipients who reside in Medicaid long-term care facilities. The amount of the Louisiana SSI supplement is $8 per person.

Where Are the Disability Hearing Offices Located in Louisiana?

Disability hearings for Louisiana residents are held at one of four Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) offices, depending on where you live.

Alexandria OHO

3403 Government Street
Alexandria, LA 71302
Tel: 877-748-9764
Fax: (833) 561-0425

Metairie OHO

Galleria Building, Suite 2000
1 Galleria Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70001
Tel: 877-870-6383
Fax: (833) 320-0689

Shreveport OHO

Louisiana Tower, Suite 700
401 Edwards St.
Shreveport, LA 71101
Tel: 866-690-1805
Fax: (833) 311-0095

New Orleans OHO

Suite 800
1515 Poydras St.
New Orleans, LA 70112
Tel: 888-297-2210
Fax: (833) 635-0632

Where Are the Disability Determination Services (DDS) Located in Louisiana?

Louisiana's Disability Determinations Services (DDS) is the state agency that is responsible for initially determining whether Louisiana disability applicants are eligible for benefits. DDS is operated by the Department of Children & Family Services, Economic Stability Office.

There are three Louisiana DDS offices, listed below.

Baton Rouge DDS

5825 Florida Blvd., Room 2110
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Tel: 800-256-2288

Shreveport DDS

2920 Knight St., Ste. 232
Shreveport, LA 71105
Tel: 800-256-2266

New Orleans Area DDS

3510 N. Causeway Blvd., Ste. 301
Metairie, LA 70002
Tel: 800-256-2299

Does Louisiana Have Vocational Rehabilitation Services?

Disabled Louisiana residents have access to a variety of services designed to help them get and maintain employment through the Workforce Commission in the department of Louisiana Rehabilitation Services. This includes job readiness evaluations, vocational training, medical therapeutic services, career counseling, and job placement assistance.

Louisiana Rehab Services has 15 locations throughout the state – you can use the directory on the LRS website to locate the closest one.

Contact information for the main state LRS office is below.

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
627 North 4^th Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Tel: (225) 219-2225
Fax: (225) 219-4993

_{Updated July 18, 2022}