While the Social Security disability application process is the same in New Mexico as it is in the rest of the U.S., since Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs, New Mexico's Disability Determination Services (DDS) agency makes the initial disability determinations for the Social Security Administration. This article discusses the approval and denial rates for New Mexico's DDS agency and its hearing office in Albuquerque, as well as SSI payment amounts in New Mexico.
New Mexico's Disability Determination Services agency in Albuquerque approved only 33% of disability claims at the initial application level and 14% of claims at the reconsideration level (a reconsideration is the first level of appeal in New Mexico, where DDS re-examines the application).
At the next level of appeal, the hearing level, New Mexico administrative law judges (ALJs) awarded benefits in 50% of the cases they heard. The wait for a hearing in New Mexico, however, is not short; it takes an average of 13 months from the time the request for hearing is filed to the date the case is decided by an ALJ.
|
Stage of Application |
New Mexico |
Nationally |
|
Initial Application |
33% |
35% |
|
Reconsideration Review |
14% |
13% |
|
Appeal Hearing |
50% |
46% |
|
Hearing Wait Time |
13 months |
18 months |
While the federal government pays the bulk of the SSI monthly payments, New Mexico pays an extra amount (called a state supplement) to disabled adults who can't live on their own. Those who live in an adult residential facility or assisted living center who receive SSI are eligible for the state supplement. Single disabled adults living in a home receive $100 per month in addition to their federal SSI benefit; a couple receives $200 additional per month. This supplement goes toward paying for the residential facility or assisted living center. A $200 burial supplement is also available from New Mexico for indigent SSI recipients.
The supplement is administered by the New Mexico Human Services Department. Visit the New Mexico Human Services Department's website for information on how to apply.
New Mexico law allows medical providers to charge up to $30 for the first 15 pages of your medical records and $0.25 a page thereafter. There is no overall limit on the amount you can be charged, even if you're using the records to apply for disability.
The New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation oversees New Mexico's Disability Determination Services (DDS) agency. After you apply for disability, Social Security checks your non-medical eligibility for disability and forwards your application to New Mexico DDS. If you have questions after you apply but before you get a decision, contact DDS directly. Here is the contact information for New Mexico's DDS location.
New Mexico Disability Determination Services
P.O. Box 4588
Albuquerque, NM 87196
Phone: 505-841-5600
Fax: 505-841-5724
Website: https://www.dvr.state.nm.us/disability-determination-services/
New Mexico has one hearing office, called the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO), in Albuquerque. This office serves disability applicants from the following field offices: Albuquerque, Carlsbad, Clovis, Farmington, Gallup, Hobbs, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Rio Rancho, Roswell, and Santa Fe.
The Albuquerque OHO manages the case file once it gets to the hearing level and schedules and hosts the hearings. If you have questions after you requested a hearing, contact this office. Here is the contact information.
New Mexico OHO
555 Broadway, NE
Suite 200
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: 866-731-3998
Fax: 505-346-7862
New Mexico offers rehabilitation services through the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). The Division provides assistance with retraining, independent living skills, medical and psychological treatment, and many other services. For more information, visit the DVR website.
While there are legal aid offices in Mexico that can help you appeal a disability denial, legal aid clinics usually charge you the same amount as private Social Security disability lawyers (up to 25% of your back payments).
Need a lawyer? Start here.