While Social Security Disability and SSI benefits are provided by the federal government, each state handles the way the benefits are awarded differently. Below is an overview of the disability benefit process in Massachusetts.
Disability benefits, both Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are provided through the Social Security Administration (SSA). You can contact your local Social Security office or fill out an application online to apply (SSDI only).
At your local SSA office, a field representative will review your initial application to make sure all of the necessary information is provided and then will send your application to Disability Determination Services (DDS), a state agency under the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission.
A claims examiner at DDS will determine if you qualify for disability benefits. All questions regarding your application after it has been filed should be directed towards your local DDS office. There are two DDS offices in Massachusetts; the contact information is below.
Disability Determination Services
110 Chauncy Street
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 727-1600
Disability Determination Services
340 Main St. Suite 500
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 752-5001
In Massachusetts, the rate of disability benefit approvals is somewhat higher than the national average. The approval rate on initial disability applications is 41%.
The approval rate following an ALJ hearing in Massachusetts is much better, 55% (also higher than the national average). If you hire a disability lawyer, your chances increase even more. However, the average wait time for a hearing in Massachusetts is 14 months. If you have a strong case, a disability lawyer may be able to get you an on-the-record decision without your having to wait for a hearing.
| Stage of Application |
Massachusetts |
Nationally |
|
Initial Application |
41% approved |
35% approved |
|
Reconsideration Review |
19% approved |
13% approved |
|
Appeal Hearing |
55% approved |
45% approved |
|
Hearing Wait Time |
14 months |
18 months |
SSI provides need-based disability payments that are set at a standard monthly payment by the federal government. As of 2019, the federal government will pay an individual $771 per month and couples $1,157 per month. Massachusetts makes additional "supplementary" payments to those receiving SSI, as set out below (the amount depends on your living situation).
|
Massachusetts Monthly Supplement |
MA & Federal Monthly Supplement Combined |
|
|
Living Independently |
Individual: $114.39 Spouse: $90.03 |
Individual: $885.39 Spouse: $668.53 |
|
Shared Living Expenses |
Individual: $30.40 Spouse: $90.03 |
Individual: $801.40 Spouse: $668.53 |
|
Living in the Household of Another |
Individual: $87.58 Spouse: $97.09 |
Individual: $601.58 Spouse: $482.76 |
|
Licensed Rest Home |
Individual: $293 Spouse: $485.50 |
Individual: $1,064 Spouse: $1,064 |
|
Medicaid Facility |
Individual: $42.80 Spouse: $42.80 |
Individual: $72.80 Spouse: $72.80 |
|
Assisted Living Facility |
Individual: $454 Spouse: $340.50 |
Individual: $1,225 Spouse: $919 |
If you are denied Social Security or SSI benefits, you are entitled to appeal your decision. In Massachusetts, there is a four-step appeals process.
Reconsideration. In this first appeal step, your application is reviewed by an examiner at DDS who has not previously reviewed it. Learn more about the reconsideration step.
ALJ Hearing. If you are denied benefits after reconsideration, you can appeal for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ).
Appeals Council. If the ALJ denies you disability benefits, you may appeal to the Appeals Council. The Appeals Council will either hear your case or send your case back to the ALJ to be reviewed again.
Lawsuit in Federal Court. If you are denied by the Appeals Council or the ALJ on re-review, you may chose to file a lawsuit in federal court.
The Office of Hearings Operations (OHO), which was formerly known as the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR), is the office that manages all disability hearings. The contact information for the regional OHO office and the four hearing offices that serve Massachusetts are listed below.
Regional Office - SSA, OHO
10 Causeway St, Suite 565
Boston, Massachusetts 02222
Telephone: (888) 870-7578
Fax: (617) 723-2985
Boston Hearing Office
4th Floor
One Bowdoin Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02114
Telephone: (888) 870-7573
Fax: (617) 248-0978
Serves the following field offices: Attleboro, Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Dorchester, Fall River, Falmouth, Fitchburg, Framingham, Gardner, Hanover, Hyannis, Lynn, Malden, New Bedford, Norwood, Quincy, Roslindale, Salem, Somerville, Taunton, and Waltham
Lawrence Hearing Office
3rd Floor
439 South Union Street
Lawrence, Massachusetts 01843
Telephone: (877) 405-9189
Fax: (978) 687-3704
Serves the following field offices: Lowell, Lawrence, and Haverhill
Springfield Hearing Office
Suite 450
1441 Main Street
Springfield, Massachusetts 01103
Telephone: (866) 964-5058
Fax: (413) 734-2347
Serves the following field offices: Greenfield, Holyoke, North Adams, Pittsfield, Springfield, and Worcester
Massachusetts provides services to individuals trying to go back to work through Vocational Rehabilitation Services, which is a division under the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. Services provided include job training in preparation for getting a job, assistance getting a job, and help keeping your job despite an impairment.
There are Vocational Rehabilitation Services offices throughout the state to service individuals in need. To apply for services, you should contact your local office. A list of the local offices and their contact information can be found below.
Brockton
55 City Hall Plaza
Brockton, MA 02301
Telephone: (508) 583-1530
Brookline
320 Washington Street
Brookline, MA 02445
Telephone: (617) 739-9080
Boston
59 Temple Place, Suite 905
Boston, MA 02111
Telephone: (617) 357-8137
Cape and Islands
181 North Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Telephone: (508) 775-6173
Fall River
170 Pleasant Street, Room 300
Fall River, MA 02721- 3015
Telephone: (508) 678-9041
Fitchburg
76 Summer Street - Room 330
Fitchburg, MA 01420-5785
Telephone: (978) 345-1713 or (508) 792-7380
Framingham
463 Worcester Road, Suite 305
Framingham, MA 01701-5356
Telephone: (508) 370-4700
Greenfield
238 Main Street
Greenfield MA 01301
Telephone: (413) 774-2326
Holyoke
187 High Street
Holyoke MA 01040
Telephone: (413) 536-8200
Lawrence
One Parker Street
Lawrence, MA 01843
Telephone: (978) 685-1731 or (800) 332-9722
Lowell
325 Chelmsford Street, #6
Lowell, MA 01851
Telephone: (978) 458-4544
Malden
157 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 01248
Telephone: (781) 324-7160
Milford
Home National Office Plaza
100 Medway Road, Suite 102
Milford, MA 01757
Telephone: (508) 478-0700
North Adams
85 Main Street, Room 426,
North Adams, MA 01247
Telephone: (413) 663-5391
New Bedford
888 Purchase Street, 4th Floor
New Bedford, MA 02740
Telephone: (508) 993-6255
Pittsfield
6 Clinton Avenue
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Telephone: (413) 499-2720
Plymouth
40 Industrial Park Road, Suite 206
Plymouth, MA 02360
Telephone: (508) 747-5922
Quincy
275 Hancock Street
Quincy, MA 02171
Telephone: (617) 471-1600
Roxbury
40 Dimock Street
Roxbury MA 02119
Telephone: (617)-442-5510
Salem
35 Congress Street Building 2, Entrance D, Suite 105
Salem, MA 01970
Telephone: (978) 745-8085
Somerville
5 Middlesex Avenue, 3 rd Floor
Somerville, MA 02145
Telephone: (617) 776-2662
Springfield
1 Federal Street, Building 102-1
Springfield, MA 01105
Telephone: (413) 736-7296
Sturbridge
Fiske Hill Mall
57 Main Street
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Telephone: (508) 347-7661
Taunton
21 Spring Street, Suite
Taunton, MA 02780
Telephone: (508) 823-8141
Worcester
359 Main Street
Worcester MA 01608-1511
Telephone: (508) 754-1757
If you need legal help appealing a disability denial or want to be represented at your disability hearing, read our article on how to find a lawyer to help you with your disability claim.
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