If you become disabled and are no longer able to work, the federal government offers two programs to provide assistance:
As federal programs, many parts of the programs are uniform throughout the United States, but there are some distinctions between the states. Below is an overview of Virginia's disability benefits and disability approval statistics for Virginia, as well as available resources in Virginia.
The percentage of disability approvals and denials, along with wait times for Social Security hearings, vary throughout the country. Below are statistics for Virginia.
Stage of Application |
Virginia |
Nationally |
Initial Application Approvals |
44% |
36% |
Reconsideration Approvals |
15% |
13% |
Appeal Hearing Approvals |
40% |
51% |
Hearing Wait Time |
9 months |
10 months |
As SSI is a federal program, the federal government provides the monthly payment to individuals who have SSI. For 2022, the maximum the federal government pays to individuals is $841 monthly. For couples who both qualify for SSI, the maximum is $1,261 (for those who have no other income).
Virginia adds on a generous supplemental payment to those in assisted living facilities and adult foster care. Called an "auxiliary grant," the supplement is administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services.
The amount of the auxiliary grant, which can only be used to pay for assisted living or adult foster care, varies by county. Virginia has divided the state into two areas for the purpose of supplemental SSI payments: "Planning District 8" and all other areas. Planning District 8 includes the counties of Arlington, Loudon, Prince William, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park, and the city of Alexandria.
Below are the monthly supplements offered by Virginia, combined with the federal SSI payment.
Location | Combined Federal and State Amount |
---|---|
Planning District 8 | $1,404 per month, plus an $82 personal needs allowance |
All other areas | $1,221 per month plus an $82 personal needs allowance |
Virginia Disability Determination Services (DDS) is where the initial decision will be made on your Social Security disability benefits (Social Security sends your application to DDS). It's also where the reconsideration review takes place (the first level of appeal). DDS has four locations throughout the state, in addition to an administrative office.
After you file your initial application, all questions and concerns should be directed to your local DDS office.
8004 Franklin Farms Drive
Richmond, VA 23229-5019
Telephone: 804-662-7625
Fax: (804) 662-9041
612 S. Jefferson Street, Suite 300
Roanoke, VA 24011
Telephone: 540-857-7748 / (800) 627-1288
Fax: (540) 857-7707
11150 Fairfax Blvd, Suite 200
Fairfax, VA 22030
Telephone: 703-934-7400 / (800) 379-9548
Fax: (703) 934-7410
5850 Lake Herbert Drive, Suite 200
Norfolk, VA 23502
Telephone: 757-466-4300 / 800-379-4403
Fax: (757) 455-3829
9960 Maryland Drive, Suite 200
Richmond, VA 23233
Telephone: 804-367-4700 / 800-523-5007
Fax: (804) 527-4523
The Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) is the office that handles all of the disability hearings (the second level of appeal). Once you've requested a hearing, direct all of your questions to your local hearing office.
There are four hearing offices in Virginia, as well as one in D.C. and one in Morgantown, West Virginia, that service a few Social Security field offices in Virginia.
2nd Floor
1470 Pantops Mountain Place
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Telephone: (866) 613-2969
Fax: (833) 659-0418
Services the following field offices: Charlottesville, Culpeper, Danville, Harrisonburg, Martinsville, South Boston, and Staunton
3rd Floor
5850 Lake Herbert Drive
Norfolk, VA 23502
Telephone: (866) 931-9167
Fax: (833) 659-0420
Services the following field offices: Accomac, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach
Suite 225
1100 E. Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Telephone: (877) 405-3665
Fax: (833) 949-2150
Services the following field offices: Chesterfield, Farmville, Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, Petersburg, and both Richmond field offices
Second Floor, Suite 200
612 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, VA 24011
Telephone: (866) 592-3548
Fax: (833) 659-0415
Services the following field offices: Bristol, Covington, Roanoke, Wise, and Wytheville
3rd Floor
1227 25th Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20037
Telephone: (866) 414-6259
Fax: (833) 949-2152
Services the following field offices in Virginia: Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and Manassas
After experiencing a disability, you may want to try to return to work, but you might need help. In Virginia, the Consumer Vocational Rehabilitation program, through the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), is there to assist individuals to prepare to return to work, find a job, and keep that job.
To apply for vocational services, call or e-mail your local DARS office.
You can also call 800-552-5019 or email [email protected].
Updated August 12th, 2022
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