How to Get Disability Benefits in Lousiana

About 5.3% of Louisiana residents receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and 3.4% receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), according to the most recent data from the Social Security Administration. If you live in Louisiana and you can't work for at least one year due to illness or injury, you may be thinking about applying for SSDI or SSI benefits.

While these federal programs are run by the Social Security Administration, applications for benefits are initially handled by Louisiana's Disability Determinations Services (DDS) agency, which has its own state-specific approval ratings. Knowing what your chances of getting approved at the DDS level and beyond can help you strengthen your case and increase your odds of a successful claim.

Should I Apply for SSDI or SSI?

SSDI and SSI are the two disability programs (also referred to as Title II and Title XVI) administered by Social Security. While the agency's definition of disability is the same for both programs, each benefit has its own preliminary eligibility criteria that you must satisfy in order to legally receive payment. For SSDI, this means having enough work credits to be insured under the program on the date you became disabled. Work credits are earned by paying into the program through payroll or self-employment taxes.

SSI, on the other hand, is a needs-based benefit available to people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. You can file for both programs and let Social Security figure out which ones you qualify for, but you must be financially eligible to receive at least one of the two benefits. If you're "overresourced" for SSI and you don't have enough work credits to get SSDI, you can't receive any benefits no matter how severe your disabling symptoms are.

How to File a Claim for SSDI or SSI in Louisiana

Submitting your application for SSDI or SSI benefits is fairly straightforward—and because they are federal programs, the exact process doesn't vary between states. You'll start by completing Form SSA-16, which you can file online, over the phone, or in person. (For help deciding which method is best for you, check out our article about filing a disability claim with Social Security.)

• Apply online at ssa.gov. Filing online has many benefits, such as giving you the option to save your application and return to it later. You'll also receive a confirmation number where you can track your application.
• Call Social Security's national number at 800-772-1213 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to speak with a representative. If you're deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the TTY number at 800-325-0778.
• File in person at your local Social Security field office. You can use the locator toolhere to find the office closest to you.

After you've handed in your application, Social Security will make sure that you meet the technical qualifications for receiving benefits. There, a claims examiner at DDS—with help from a medical consultant—reviews your records and decides whether you're disabled. You can communicate with the DDS serving your area to submit additional medical records, provide any missing information requested by the agency, or to check on your case status.

Louisiana Disability Determination Services Office Locations

There are three DDS offices in Louisiana, located in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport. Each office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can find the contact information for the office handling your claim below:

Baton Rouge DDS
5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 2065
Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Phone: (225) 925-3533 or (800) 256-2288
Fax: (225) 925-1831

The Baton Rouge DDS serves the following parishes: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, Saint Helena, Saint James, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana.

New Orleans DDS
5508 Citrus Blvd., Suite B
New Orleans, LA 70123

Phone: (504) 361-6335 or (800) 256-2299
Fax: (504) 838-5210

The New Orleans DDS serves the following parishes: Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, Saint Bernard, Saint Charles, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Tammany, and Terrebonne.

Shreveport DDS
2712 Linwood Ave.
Shreveport, LA 71103

Phone: (318) 869-6400 or (800) 256-2266
Fax: (318) 869-6406

The Shreveport DDS serves the following parishes: Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, De Soto, East Carroll, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, La Salle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Saint Landry, Tensas, Union, Vernon, Webster, West Carroll, and Winn.

What Conditions Qualify for Disability in Louisiana?

You can qualify for disability benefits for any severe impairment, provided that you have enough medical evidence to show that you either meet a listing or are unable to work at any job. In Louisiana, some of the most commonly awarded impairments are mental illnesses (such as anxiety or depression), musculoskeletal conditions (like back pain), and nervous system disorders (for example, diabetic neuropathy).

The chart below illustrates the percentage of SSDI recipients in Louisiana who were found disabled based on the most commonly awarded medical conditions.

_{Source: Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2023}

For more information, check out our article on what conditions qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

How Many Louisiana Disability Applications Are Approved?

Individually, your chances are higher the stronger your medical records are. Statistically speaking, however, 37.2% of disability claims in Louisiana were approved at the initial application stage—slightly below the national average of 38%—and 17.1% were approved following reconsideration review (about the same as the national rate).

Many claimants in Louisiana aren't awarded benefits until after they've had a hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ). As of the fiscal year ending July 2025, ALJs in hearing offices across Louisiana issued 5,284 decisions on disability claims. 3,093 of those decisions resulted in either fully or partially favorable outcomes, making the approval rate at the hearing stage in Louisiana around 59%.

What Do I Do If My Claim is Denied?

As you can see from the above statistics, disability claimants in Louisiana have their best chances of getting approved for benefits once they've had a hearing with an ALJ. But before you can speak with a judge, you'll need to appeal a denial at both the initial and reconsideration levels.

Once you've received a denial letter, you have 60 days to submit your appeal. The first appeal is also called "requesting reconsideration," and it means that another claims examiner at a Louisiana DDS will review your file to see whether the initial denial was correct. If you're denied following reconsideration—as most people are—you can appeal further by asking for a disability hearing (also within 60 days after you receive your reconsideration denial letter).

When you request a hearing, your case is sent from the Louisiana DDS to Social Security's Office of Hearings Operations (OHO). Your hearing will be conducted by a judge at one of the following OHOs:

Alexandria OHO (handles claims from the Alexandria, El Dorado, LaFayette, Leesville, Monroe, Natchitoches, New Iberia, Opelousas, and Ruston field offices)

3403 Government Street
Alexandria, LA 71302

Phone: (877) 748-9764
Fax: (833) 561-0425

Metairie OHO (handles claims from the Baton Rouge, Bogalusa, Hammond, and Kenner field offices)

Galleria Building, Suite 2000
1 Galleria Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70001

Phone: (877) 870-6383
Fax: (833) 320-0689

New Orleans OHO (handles claims from the DeRidder, Houma, Lake Charles, Morgan City, New Orleans, and St. Tammany/Lacombe field offices)

Suite 800
1515 Poydras St.
New Orleans, LA 70112

Phone: (888) 297-2210
Fax: (833) 635-0632

Shreveport OHO (handles claims from the Minden and Shreveport field offices)

Louisiana Tower, Suite 700
401 Edwards St.
Shreveport, LA 71101

Phone: (866) 690-1805
Fax: (833) 311-0095

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. As of July 2025, the average wait for a hearing in Louisiana is 7 months.

At your Social Security hearing, the ALJ who has been assigned to your case will ask you questions about your past employment, your current medical impairments, and your activities of daily living. A vocational expert or (less frequently) a medical expert may also be present at your hearing to give an opinion on your case.

After the hearing has concluded, the ALJ will go over your records, your testimony, and the expert opinions before sending you a written decision in the mail. If you receive an unfavorable decision, you can request that Social Security's Appeals Council review the decision to determine if the ALJ made an error. Keep in mind that the Appeals Council doesn't agree to review many decisions, and those that are reviewed aren't usually reversed or remanded.

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.

How Much Can I Get In Disability Benefits in Louisiana?

Because SSDI and SSI are federal benefits, the amount you'll receive doesn't change from state to state. SSDI payments are particularly tailored to each beneficiary since they're calculated based on your individual earnings record, which can vary significantly between each person. SSI payments are set annually by the federal government at a flat monthly rate that's decreased if you have additional income.

_{Source: Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2023}

Some states pay monthly SSI supplements beyond the payments the federal government makes. Louisiana offers only a small monthly supplemental payment to SSI recipients who reside in Medicaid long-term care facilities. However, state law explicitly exempts federal Social Security benefits like SSDI and SSI from Louisiana state income tax (LA Rev. Stat. § 47:44.2 (2024), which can provide some welcome additional assistance to disabled residents.

VA Benefits for Louisiana Veterans

Veterans who have a service-connected illness, injury, or impairment can get a disability rating that may establish them as eligible for monthly VA compensation. (You can learn more in our article on filing for VA disability benefits.) Like Social Security, the VA is a federal agency, so it doesn't make a difference which state you live in to qualify for monthly compensation.

The state of Louisiana does offer certain additional benefits to veterans, however. For example, veterans with a disability rating of 50% or more can get a homestead exemption, with a full exemption for 100% disabled vets. The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs also provides educational assistance, auto insurance discounts, and reduced (or free) admission to state parks for disabled veterans, among other privileges.

Louisiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Disabled Louisiana residents have access to a variety of programs designed to help them get and maintain employment through the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Services include job readiness evaluations, vocational training, medical therapeutic services, career counseling, and job placement assistance. Don't forget that you have the right to reasonable accommodations in the workforce under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

Do I Need a Louisiana Lawyer to Get Disability?

You don't need an attorney at any stage of the disability determination process, but it's often a smart step to take, especially if you've been denied benefits already. Because Social Security law is federal and doesn't change from state to state, you don't need to hire an attorney that knows the Louisiana Civil Code. However, getting a local lawyer can be a good idea since it's more likely that they'll be familiar with the ALJ you're scheduled to appear in front of if you have a disability hearing scheduled.

If you're denied benefits, consider contacting a lawyer for a free initial consultation to see if your case is strong enough to base an appeal on and find out what you need to do to strengthen your case. Your chances of winning are much higher if you're represented by a lawyer or advocate with experience in Social Security disability. And because disability lawyers work on contingency—meaning they don't get paid unless you win your case—there's little upfront risk in hiring one.