The application for disability in Oregon starts at the Social Security Administration (for both SSDI and SSI), but then is handled by a state agency. Here is information on the disability process in Oregon, as well as state-specific statistics and resources.
Once Social Security determines that an Oregonian meets the basic eligibility criteria for either SSI or SSDI, the agency sends the claimant's file to Oregon's Disability Determination Services (DDS). The initial disability determination for SSDI and SSI claims in Oregon is made by DDS. Oregon DDS approves 40% of the applications for disability that it reviews.
If you want to talk about your claim with a claims examiner (for instance, to check the status of the claim), here is the agency's contact information.
Disability Determination Services
3150 Lancaster Drive, NE
Salem, Oregon 97305-1350
800-452-2147
When the SSA mails you a denial letter, you have to ask the SSA for a reconsideration of the decision before you are allowed to get a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. In a reconsideration, a different claims examiner assesses your application. For reconsideration requests, the average percentage of claims that are allowed (approved) upon reconsideration is 11%.
If you disagree with the reconsideration decision, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). The Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) is in charge of disability appeals at the ALJ hearing level. For more information about hearings, see our articles on ALJ hearings.
Oregon is in OHO Region 10, which is based in Seattle. Region 10 does have two offices in Oregon, in Portland and Eugene. If you filed your disability claim in Oregon at the Pendleton field office, however, and are at the ALJ hearing level of appeals, your hearing will most likely be held at the Spokane, Washington hearing office.
At the two OHO offices located in Oregon, the average length of time a person filing a hearing request will have to wait for a hearing is 15 months. There are many different ALJs who work in the Oregon OHO offices, and each one has different approval and denial records. On average, however, ALJs in Oregon approve around 49% of disability cases.
Here is a comparison of approval rates in Oregon versus nationally; you have a better chance of being approved for benefits in Oregon, both at the initial application stage and at the appeal hearing.
| Stage of Application |
Oregon |
Nationally |
|
Initial Application |
40% |
35% |
|
Reconsideration Review |
11% |
13% |
|
Appeal Hearing |
49% |
45% |
|
Hearing Wait Time |
15 months |
18 months |
If the local Social Security office you have been working with is in: Chiloquin; Christmas Valley; the I-5 corridor from Salem, OR to Weed, CA; Klamath Falls; La Pine; Lakeview; Madras; Medford; the Oregon Coast from Depoe Bay to Gold Beach; Prineville; Redmond; or Sisters, your hearing office is:
SSA Hearing Office
Suite 201
211 E. 7th Avenue
Eugene, Oregon 97401
Telephone: (866) 964-7044
Fax: (541) 465-6415
If the local Social Security office you have been working with is in: Astoria; Beaverton; La Grande; the Portland metro area; The Dalles; or Salem, your hearing office is:
SSA Hearing Office
Suite 400
825 NE Multnomah Street
Portland, OR 97232-2483
Telephone: (866) 964-6291
Fax: (503) 326-3062
If you have been working with the Social Security office in Pendleton, your hearing office is:
SSA Hearing Office
714 N Iron Bridge Way, Ste 200
Spokane, Washington 99202-4929
Telephone: (888) 253-3903
Fax: (509) 353-2986
Once you qualify for SSI in Oregon, you automatically qualify for Medicaid, though you do have to file a separate application.
In addition, if you are receiving SSI and fit into one of several "special needs" categories, you may be eligible for additional state payments. These payments fall under a Medicaid program called OSIPM (Oregon Supplemental Income Program – Medical). These payments can assist you with things like limited home repairs to remove a physical hazard and costs of transportation to medical appointments. Individuals who receive SSI are automatically qualified for OSIPM. Oregon's Department of Seniors and People with Disabilities administers the OSIPM program and is the agency that approves payments for these special needs.
However, Oregon no longer adds a state "supplementary payment" onto the federal monthly SSI. Therefore the amount SSI recipients receive in Oregon is the SSI rate of $771 (in 2019). If you have questions about applying for SSI in Oregon or about supplemental payments, you can contact the Seniors and People with Disabilities Division of DHS at:
DHS
500 Summer St. NE, E02
Salem 97301-1073
Telephone: (503) 945-5811
TTY: (503) 282-8096
Fax: (503) 373-7823
General email: [email protected]
The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS) is part of the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). OVRS assists people with disabilities with counseling, job training, placement, and assistive technology services. OVRS has offices throughout the state; for the one closest to you, visit the OVRS website.
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