Filing for SSDI or SSI Disability in Missouri

If you live in Missouri and you're unable to work due to an illness or injury, you can apply through the Social Security Administration (SSA) to receive Social Security disability benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

You apply through the SSA because the benefits are provided by the federal government, but once you apply, a state agency in Missouri processes your application and decides whether you're disabled. Below is an overview of the disability process in Missouri.

Who Makes Disability Determinations in Missouri?

After the initial step of the application process (handing in your application to your local SSA office or applying online), the SSA will check your application for technical qualifications, such as income limits or work requirements, and then pass it on to Missouri Disability Determination Services (DDS), the state agency. A claims examiner at DDS, with the help of a medical consultant, will make a medical decision as to whether or not you are disabled based on your medical records.

How Do I Appeal an SSDI Denial in Missouri?

If DDS denies you benefits, you'll need to appeal. Social Security has a four-step appeals process, which includes:

• a reconsideration review at DDS
• a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
• an Appeals Council review, and
• a lawsuit in federal court (in the Eastern District or Western District of Missouri).

(The reconsideration step was suspended in Missouri for a number of years, but it returned in 2020.)

Applicants appealing a reconsideration in Missouri can request a hearing with an ALJ at Social Security's Office of Hearings Operations (OHO). After you request a hearing, your case will be sent to your local OHO office (find contact information below).

What Are My Chances of Getting Disability in Missouri?

In Missouri, at the initial disability application stage, you have a slightly better chance of being awarded benefits than the national average, but a worse chance at the hearing stage. In Missouri in 2022, it's taking about nine months to get a hearing date.

Below is a chart that shows the success rates in Missouri compared to the success rate nationally. (Note: The success rate on appeal includes partially favorable decisions.)

Does Missouri Have a Supplemental Payment for SSI Recipients?

The monthly payment for SSI is paid mainly by the federal government at a set monthly rate that's decreased if you have additional income. The State of Missouri also offers additional monthly income (a "state supplement"), but only to individuals who live in some types of residential care facilities (RCF) or assisted living facilities (ALF).

Below is a breakdown of the maximum monthly amounts that certain residents in Missouri can receive. (Note that the state supplement is rarely increased for inflation, unlike the federal payment.)

The Missouri supplement is called "supplemental nursing care," or SNC. Recipients also receive a $50 personal needs allowance. The State Department of Social Services, Family Support Division (FSD) administers the state supplement.

Read more about it at the DSS website or contact your local Family Support Division office. To find your local office, you can call the main Family Support Division office at (573) 751-3221 or (800) 735-2466.

Is Disability Income Taxable in Missouri?

Missouri doesn't tax Social Security benefits for disability recipients who have an adjusted gross income of less than $85,000 ($100,000 for married couples). bove that, Missouri will tax a portion of the benefits. Similarly, the federal government will tax a portion of SSDI benefits for people with higher incomes. But the IRS (or Missouri) will never tax SSI benefits.

What Vocational Rehabilitation Services Are Available in Missouri?

When individuals with disabilities who want to try to return to work need assistance with job-related issues, the Missouri Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) under the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education can help. The agency can help prepare you for a job, find a job, and provide training for a job.

To apply for services, you should contact or visit your local VR office. The office will assess you and make a decision regarding whether or not you are eligible for services and what services you will receive. To help with the assessment, you should bring a copy of your SSI or SSDI award letter to prove you are currently receiving disability benefits.

To contact a local VR office, call the central office in Jefferson City at (877) 222-8963.

Where Are Missouri's Disability Determination Offices?

Disability Determination is the office that decides if you're disabled based on your medical records. In Missouri, Disability Determination (DD) will receive your application from your local Social Security office after it's approved as meeting all technical requirements.

Also, if your application is denied and you request a reconsideration, DDS will handle that first level of appeal, called the reconsideration.

Below is the contact information for all of the DDS offices in Missouri.

Disability Determination Central Office
3024 Dupont Circle
Jefferson City, MO 65109-0525
Phone: (573) 751-3251
Toll Free: (877) 222-8963
Fax: (573) 751-1441

Cape Girardeau DD
3014 Blattner Dr
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Phone: (573) 290-5710
Toll Free: (800) 392-0415
Fax: (573) 290-5709

Jefferson City DD
1500B Southridge Dr, Suite 100
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: (573) 751-2929
Toll Free: (800) 347-7180
Fax: (573) 526-3788

Kansas City DD
Joseph P. Teasdale State Office Building
8800 E. 63rd Street, Suite 320
Raytown, MO 64133
Phone: (816) 743-8800
Toll Free: (800) 584-4303
Fax: (816) 622-0033

Springfield DD
1900 E. Division Street
Springfield, MO 65803
Phone: (417) 888-4070
Toll Free: (800) 584-4305
Fax: (417) 888-4069

St. Louis DD
7545 S. Lindbergh Blvd, Suite 220
St. Louis, MO 63125
Phone: (314) 416-2803
Toll Free: (877) 878-4644
Fax: (314) 416-2868

Where Are the Social Security Hearing Offices in Missouri?

Below is the contact information for the local OHO offices in Missouri.

Regional Office
Suite 350
2301 McGee
Kansas City, Missouri 64108-2605
Phone: (888) 488-7742
Fax: (833) 311-0098

Columbia HO
3402 Buttonwood Dr
Columbia, Missouri 65201
Phone: (877) 331-8351
Fax: (833) 721-0879

Provides services to the Columbia, Jefferson City, Moberly, and Sedalia field offices

Creve Coeur HO
1285 Fern Ridge Parkway, Suite 100
Creve Coeur, Missouri 63141
Phone: (877) 833-2445
Fax: (833) 953-2009

Provides services to the following field offices: Fenton (Southwest), St. Louis (Central West End, North County, South Side), St. Peters, Creve Coeur (West County), and Union

Springfield HO
2143 E Primrose Street, Suite C
Springfield, Missouri 65804
Phone: (888) 472-2404
Fax: (833) 748-0025

Provides services to the Joplin, Lebanon, Nevada, Springfield, and West Plains field offices

St. Louis HO
Robert A. Young Federal Building
1222 Spruce Street, Room 6.106
St. Louis, MO 63103-9923
Phone: (866) 404-1859
Fax: (833) 311-0096

Provides services to the following field offices: Cape Girardeau, Hannibal, Kennett, Kirksville, Park Hills, Poplar Bluff, Rolla, Sikeston, St. Louis (Downtown)

How Can I Get Help Applying for Social Security Disability in Missouri?

If you're denied disability benefits, you should contact a lawyer for a free initial consultation about your case, 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 an appeal are much higher if you're represented by a lawyer or advocate with experience in Social Security disability.