The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the office that administers Social Security and SSI disability benefits throughout the country. In addition, West Virginia plays a part in the disability process for its residents, through its Disability Determination Section (DDS), which falls under West Virginia's Division of Rehabilitation Services. Here is some state-specific information about applying for disability benefits in West Virginia.
West Virginia's Disability Determination Section (DDS) is the agency that makes the decision regarding whether or not you are disabled, based on your medical record. West Virginia has two DDS offices that make all disability decisions for West Virginians. The contact information for the offices is below.
Charleston Disability Determination Section
500 Quarrier Street, Suite 500
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304-343-5055 or 800-344-5033
Clarksburg Disability Determination Section
320 West Pike St., Suite 120
Clarksburg, WV 26301
Phone: 304-624-0200 or 800-344-7813
After you apply for benefits, you'll be contacted by a claims examiner from DDS.
In West Virginia, DDS approves only 30% of individuals for disability benefits at the initial application stage. This is lower than the national average approval rate of 35%. And at the reconsideration stage, another 11% of previously denied individuals are approved for benefits, compared to 13% nationally. Fortunately, at the hearing stage, West Virginia has higher approval rates than the national average (53% to 45%). This is probably because claims examiners at DDS are denying valid disability claims and judges at the hearing office are reversing some of these denials.
The wait time for a disability appeal hearing in West Virginia is 18 months.
| Stage of Application |
West Virginia |
Nationally |
|
Initial Application Approval |
30% |
35% |
|
Reconsideration Approval |
11% |
13% |
|
Appeal Hearing Approval |
53% |
45% |
|
Hearing Wait Time |
18 months |
18 months |
Unlike most other states, West Virginia does not offer a state supplementary payment to SSI (additional money over and above the monthly payment from the federal government).
To receive a copy of your medical records to provide to Social Security with your disability application, health care providers may charge you up to $0.75 per page and a search fee of no more than $10. There is no limit on how much your total charge may be.
However, if you meet certain low income requirements, you may be eligible to receive a free copy of your medical records for your Social Security claim. You must provide reasonable proof of your financial inability to pay for the records due to unemployment, disability, income below the federal poverty level, or receipt of state or federal income assistance. Provide this proof to the doctor's office or hospital with your Release of Information form for your medical records. If you meet the above requirements, you are entitled to one free copy of your medical records.
Social Security's Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) is the office that processes all Social Security appeals, including SSI disability appeals. If you request a hearing, it will be held at an OHO office. Once you make your hearing request, contact your hearing office for any questions regarding your appeal. The contact information for the local hearing offices is below.
Suite 100
500 Quarrier Street
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
Telephone: (888) 527-9325
Covers the following local offices: Beckley, Charleston, Logan, Martinsburg, Parkersburg, St. Albans, Welch, and Williamson
301 9th Street, 2nd Floor Annex
Huntington, West Virginia 25701
Telephone: (866) 592-1607
Covers the Huntington Social Security field office
6 Suburban Court
Chestnut Ridge Road
Morgantown, West Virginia 26505
Telephone: (877) 405-9197
Covers the following local offices: Clarksburg, Elkins, Fairmont, Morgantown, and Wheeling
1470 Pantops Mountain Place, 2nd Floor
Charlottesville, Virginia 22911
Telephone: (866) 613-2969
Covers the Petersburg Social Security field office
Second Floor, Suite 200
612 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24011
Telephone: (866) 592-3548
Covers the Bluefield field office
The West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) provides services for those who are disabled to help them prepare to get a job, find a job, and help them to keep that job. To apply for vocational rehabilitation, you should contact DRS. To contact DRS, you may call the statewide contact number or visit the DRS website. The contact information is below.
Statewide Contact Number: 800-642-8207
Website: www.wvdrs.org
If you've been denied benefits and want to get a lawyer to help you win your disability hearing, visit our West Virginia disability lawyer page to find a local lawyer with Social Security disability experience.
Need a lawyer? Start here.