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Social Security disability

Disability benefits in Ohio

Social Security rules are the same in every state. This page covers what is different in Ohio: who decides your claim, state money added to SSI, Medicaid, hearings and free help.

You have 60 days to appeal each decision, plus 5 days for mail.

How to appeal a denialAppeal deadline calculator

Who decides your claim in Ohio?

Division of Disability Determination (DDD)

This state office decides the medical part of your Social Security disability claim, under an agreement with Social Security. Social Security checks the other rules, like work credits and income. It is the only agency in Ohio that makes these decisions.

Part of
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)
Mail
Division of Disability Determination, PO Box 359001, Columbus, OH 43234-9001

Find a Social Security office

Does Ohio add money to SSI?

Residential State Supplement (RSS)

RSS is state cash help for some adults who need a protective level of care and live in certain licensed group homes. These include class two residential facilities licensed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and in some counties licensed residential care facilities or assisted living. You must be at least 18.

Paid by: the state

How to apply
RSS is a separate application from SSI. Apply with form ODM 07120 at your county job and family services office, or through an online system set up by OhioMHAS. If you do not have Medicaid, you must also apply for Medicaid.
Contact
Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) and your county department of job and family services
https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-5122-36

Medicaid in Ohio

If you get SSI in Ohio, you also get Medicaid. You do not need a separate Medicaid application. Your SSI award letter will say you will hear from the state about Medicaid.

Program
Ohio Medicaid
Medicaid agency
Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM)
https://medicaid.ohio.gov/
800-324-8680 (Medicaid Consumer Hotline)

Medicaid for working people with disabilities: Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities (MBIWD)

MBIWD lets people with disabilities ages 16 to 64 who work get Medicaid. Work can be full-time, part-time or self-employment. You must meet Social Security's disability rules, but your work and earnings are not counted against you. You do not need to get SSI or SSDI. Only your own income and resources count. Your countable income must be no more than 250% of the federal poverty level, and up to $20,000 a year more in earnings can be left out. If you stop working, you may keep MBIWD for up to 6 months if you plan to go back to work.

https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160:1-5-03

State disability and paid leave in Ohio

Ohio has no state-run short-term disability or paid medical leave program listed here.

Hearing offices and federal court in Ohio

6 hearing offices serve Ohio. Hearing office locator (Social Security)

Cleveland, OH Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
Skylight Office Tower, Suite 500, 1660 West Second Street, Cleveland, OH 44113
Fax
(833) 694-0061

Akron, OH Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
Suite 400, 121 South Main Street, Akron, OH 44308-1426
Fax
(833) 676-0109

Cincinnati, OH Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
John W. Peck Federal Building, Suite 4-510, 550 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Fax
(833) 619-0569

Columbus, OH Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
Suite 400, 401 N. Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Fax
(833) 559-0768

Dayton, OH Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
Courthouse Plaza SW, Suite 300, 10 N. Ludlow Street, Dayton, OH 45402
Fax
(833) 635-0630

Toledo, OH Hearing Office

Hearing office

Address
13th Floor, One Seagate, Toledo, OH 43604
Fax
(833) 702-0716

Federal district court

If you appeal to federal court, you file in the district court that covers your county.

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio

Court help for people without a lawyer

Counties covered (40)
  • Ashland
  • Ashtabula
  • Carroll
  • Columbiana
  • Crawford
  • Cuyahoga
  • Geauga
  • Holmes
  • Lake
  • Lorain
  • Mahoning
  • Medina
  • Portage
  • Richland
  • Stark
  • Summit
  • Trumbull
  • Tuscarawas
  • Wayne
  • Allen
  • Auglaize
  • Defiance
  • Erie
  • Fulton
  • Hancock
  • Hardin
  • Henry
  • Huron
  • Lucas
  • Marion
  • Mercer
  • Ottawa
  • Paulding
  • Putnam
  • Sandusky
  • Seneca
  • Van Wert
  • Williams
  • Wood
  • Wyandot

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Court help for people without a lawyer

Counties covered (48)
  • Adams
  • Brown
  • Butler
  • Champaign
  • Clark
  • Clermont
  • Clinton
  • Darke
  • Greene
  • Hamilton
  • Highland
  • Lawrence
  • Miami
  • Montgomery
  • Preble
  • Scioto
  • Shelby
  • Warren
  • Athens
  • Belmont
  • Coshocton
  • Delaware
  • Fairfield
  • Fayette
  • Franklin
  • Gallia
  • Guernsey
  • Harrison
  • Hocking
  • Jackson
  • Jefferson
  • Knox
  • Licking
  • Logan
  • Madison
  • Meigs
  • Monroe
  • Morgan
  • Morrow
  • Muskingum
  • Noble
  • Perry
  • Pickaway
  • Pike
  • Ross
  • Union
  • Vinton
  • Washington

Free help in Ohio

Protection & Advocacy agency (P&A)

Disability Rights Ohio

Phone
614-466-7264 (toll-free 800-282-9181)

Legal aid

Benefits counseling and work (WIPA)

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) - Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation

ABLE savings account

STABLE Account (Ohio Treasurer)

More free help across the country →

Good to know in Ohio

  • Ohio's state supplement, the Residential State Supplement, is only for some adults living in certain licensed group homes. You apply at your county job and family services office. (Ohio Administrative Code 5122-36)
  • Ohio's Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities has a new rule in effect since April 1, 2026. It counts only your own income, and you do not need SSI or SSDI. (Ohio Administrative Code 5160:1-5-03)

Recent changes

April 1, 2026: amended Ohio Administrative Code rule 5160:1-5-03 (Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities) took effect.

More RobinClaim guides for Ohio → · All states

Sources

Last checked: November 2026