Ohio Disability: Two Federal Programs Pay Monthly Benefits

When you can’t work because of a continuing health issue, you might qualify for monthly Ohio disability benefits from two Social Security Administration (SSA) programs:

1. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
2. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

You can apply to both at the same time because they use the same qualifying criteria. We compiled information on both programs to help Ohio residents from Parma to Portsmouth explore the options.

We created this guide to help you get to “the heart of it all.” 

SSI for Ohio Disability Applicants

SSI disability benefits help Ohioans who are blind, disabled or over 65 and meet age and financial criteria.

1. What Are the Age Requirements for SSI Disability?

If you’re over 65, then you can apply. Younger Buckeyes must undergo a Disability Determination Services (DDS) exam.

Pro Tip: If you can’t cover the expense of a doctor visit or medical records request, an Ohio disability lawyer can.

2. What Are the Financial Eligibility Rules for SSI Disability?

Buckeyes applying for SSI benefits must meet the following requirements:

• Total assets below $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples. The amount includes money in the bank and other things you can liquidate, such as lottery tickets, stocks, bonds, etc. The asset limits don’t include your daily vehicle, the home you own, your wedding ring and other daily living items.
• Monthly income from wages and/or other sources totaling less than $2,260 if you are blind and $1,350 if you have another disability. Couples must have less than $2,607 in combined monthly income. The SSA counts child support, alimony, earned interest, SNAP, TANF, etc., toward the monthly income limits.

3. How Much Does SSI Pay?

If your claim is approved, your benefits can be as much as $841 for an individual or $1,261 for a couple. Your benefit is increased when Congress approves a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

4. How Long Can Ohio Disability Claimants Get SSI Payments?

Ohio disability recipients must pass an update every 3-7 years. For Ohioans over 65, benefits continue as long as they remain financially eligible. Younger recipients determined ineligible no longer get benefits.

Related: Your Guide to Getting Washington Disability Benefits

SSDI for Ohio Disability Applicants

SSDI is funded by Social Security payroll deductions from paychecks. Here’s what you need to know about how the program works.

1. Who’s Eligible for SSDI?

To apply for SSDI benefits, your answers to all these questions must be “yes”:

• Have you seen a doctor during the past 90 days about your disability? If not, you need a DDS exam to confirm your condition. Pro Tip: If you can’t afford it, your Ohio disability lawyer can pay for doctor’s visits and medical records requests.
• Does your doctor expect your health to keep you off the job for at least 12 months? You aren’t eligible if you can return to work in months or weeks.
• Are you between 18 and 65 and not receiving Social Security benefits? The program does not cover people at or above full retirement age (i.e., 66 or older).
• Have you worked full-time for at least 5 of the last 10 years in jobs that withheld Social Security taxes? Eligibility lapses if you don’t pay FICA payroll taxes for more than 60 months.

Don’t worry if you answered some questions “no”. You may qualify for SSI benefits.

2. What Amount Does SSDI Pay?

SSDI payments equal 40% of your average monthly paycheck during the past 35 years. Higher payments are possible if a COLA is authorized by Congress. On average, Ohio disability recipients receive $1,358 a month in 2022; the highest benefit is $3,345 a month. To earn above $3,000, you must have earned $139,000 annually for 10 years before becoming disabled.

3. How Long Does It Take to Get Your First SSDI Payment?

The waiting period is usually 5 months. That means you might receive your first payment in 6 months.

But almost half of applicants are denied because of paperwork errors. That’s why you might consider hiring an Ohio disability attorney. Your lawyer knows the process well and that knowledge almost triples your chances of approval. And because counsel works on contingency, you only pay legal fees if you get benefits. 

If your claim is denied, you have 60 days to file a reconsideration, which can take up to 3.5 months. If that’s rejected, you can ask for a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. This can take up to a year, however, and only 11% of appeals succeed. Plus, even if you do win, you could wait almost 2 years for your first check.

4. How Long Can I Get SSDI Payments?

Until you turn 65, you have to undergo updates every 3-7 years. After that, SSI benefits convert to regular Social Security and your monthly amount stays the same.

You May Qualify for Legal Assistance

Ohio disability applicants from Middletown to Moundsville can hire a qualified Social Security attorney and increase the odds of getting benefits by almost 3x. And remember, disability lawyers don’t charge if your application or reconsideration isn’t successful. If you do get approved, then you pay a small one-time fee.

Don’t delay! See if you qualify today. Click the button to launch your free online benefits evaluation.

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