Disability benefits in Oklahoma are paid for and regulated by the federal government, but the exact way in which Oklahoma delivers the benefits differs from that in other states. Below is an overview of the disability benefits process in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma's Disability Determination Division (DDD), under the Department of Rehabilitative Services, handles all initial applications for Social Security and SSI disability benefits. After your application is reviewed by Social Security to see if you meet the technical requirements, including meeting income limits or work requirements, it is sent to the DDD office in Oklahoma City to be reviewed for medical qualifications. If DDD finds you are disabled and cannot work based on your medical record, you will receive disability benefits.
For those who are denied, the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) handles the appeal hearings. There are three OHO offices in Oklahoma where you could go for your hearing, in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and McAlester.
At the initial application stage, only 29% of applicants in Oklahoma are approved for benefits by DDS, compared to the national average of 35%. At the reconsideration stage, 11% of applicants in Oklahoma are approved for benefits, while 13% are approved nationally at this stage. At the hearing stage, Oklahoma has a lower approval rate (58%) than the rest of the nation (46%). In addition, those in Oklahoma have to wait less time for a hearing: 16 months on average for a hearing compared to 18 months nationally.
| Stage of Application |
Oklahoma |
Nationally |
|
Initial Application Approval |
29% |
35% |
|
Reconsideration Approval |
11% |
13% |
|
Hearing Approval |
58% |
46% |
|
Hearing Wait Time |
16 months |
18 months |
In Oklahoma, the state offers a small additional payment in addition to the federal government monthly payment for SSI. The federal government pays $771 per month to individuals and $1,157 to couples, and Oklahoma pays an additional $42 per month to individuals and $84 per month to couples (who are living independently). The Oklahoma state supplement is administered by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
There is one DDD office in Oklahoma that handles all medical reviews of disability applications.
Disability Determination Division
3535 N.W. 58th Street
Oklahoma City, OK
Telephone: 405-419-2200
Below is the contact information for the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) offices that serve those in Oklahoma.
McAlester Hearing Office
524 South 2nd Street
McAlester, OK 74501
Telephone: 877-748-9767
Services the Social Security offices in McAlester
Oklahoma City Hearing Office
301 NW 6th Street
Suite 300
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Telephone: 866-701-8094
Services the Social Security offices in: Ada, Ardmore, Chickasha, Clinton, Enid, Lawton, Moore, Oklahoma City, and Shawnee
Tulsa Hearing Office
Eastgate Metroplex, Suite 500
14002 E. 21st Street
Tulsa, OK 74134
Telephone: 888-286-1124
Services the Social Security offices in: Bartlesville, Miami, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Poteau, Stillwater, and Tulsa
Those who receive SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) due to disability may feel they can go back to work but need help finding and/or keeping a job. Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR) in Oklahoma offers that type of assistance. Services offered include job evaluations, job preparations, job search help, and onsite job training. To apply for services, you can contact the nearest VR office to you by calling 800-487-4042.
If you are denied disability benefits and have to appeal, being represented by an experienced disability lawyer can greatly increase your chances of winning your claim, and the lawyer will be paid out of Social Security back payments—if you win your claim. To find a local lawyer, try our lawyer locator tool below.
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