Kentucky and Social Security Disability Benefits
- Why is State-by-State Information Important?
- Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits in Kentucky – What You Need To Know
- Kentucky SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Approval By Office
- Hearing Offices in Kentucky & The SSA Offices They Serve
- List of Social Security Administration Field Offices in Kentucky
- More Important Information about The Application Process
ALL STATE DATA UPDATED FOR 2024!
Everyone’s experience applying for Social Security Disability benefits will be unique. Part of this is because everyone’s individual medical and work history is different. But, potential applicants should also know that each state – like Louisiana – has its own story to tell in terms of social security disability benefit approval rates at each stage of the process, as well as waiting times at the hearing stage.
Why is State-by-State Information Important?
Specialized disability advocates (like us here at Citizens Disability) and Kentucky social security disability attorneys know all too well how important it is to understand that every state is different. It’s very helpful to know what the trends are, how long the wait times are from office to office, and what the different rates of approvals are.
Citizens Disability takes a data-driven approach to helping our clients. We want to make sure that we’re giving our clients the best possible advice at every step in the application process. We also work very hard to present the best possible case for each of our clients. Bringing together data from a wide variety of sources – including data like this, which comes from the Social Security Administration – allows us to make smart decisions when we present cases for our clients.
Finally, this information can be very helpful to applicants. Applying for social security benefits is likely a new experience for most applicants, and having an idea of what they can expect from the process can help them be engaged and involved participants with their advocates.
While your own journey may be different than the trends you see here, these tables and charts can help you understand what, on average, you can expect.
You will also find location and contact information for all the offices in Kentucky below.
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits in Kentucky – What You Need To Know
There are generally three stages in the application process for Social Security Disability benefits: initial application, reconsideration, and the hearing. In this table, you can see how Kentucky compares to the national average (all states in America) when it comes to approval rates at each of those stages.
| Initial Application (L1) | Reconsideration (L2) | Hearing (L3) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 34.6% | 9.2% | 52.8% |
| National Average | 39.5% | 15.1% | 57.7% |
| State Difference: | -4.9% | -5.9% | -4.9% |
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As the table shows, Kentucky is a touch below at every level – Initial Application, Reconsideration, and Hearing levels. From 4.9% lower at Initial Application, 4.9% lower at Hearing, and 5.9% lower at Reconsideration.
Kentucky Initial Application Approval Over Time
| Initial Application Approval Rate | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 34.6% | 33.3% | 33.7% | 32.7% | 33.5% | 32.9% | 29.6% | 30.4% | 30.9% | 30.0% |
| National Average | 39.5% | 38.9% | 38.8% | 37.7% | 38.3% | 37.6% | 35.3% | 34.4% | 33.5% | 32.8% |
As the table and the below chart show, Kentucky has been consistently lower than the national average of Initial Applications going back to at least 2015. In 2024, Kentucky ranked 49th in the nation in terms of percentage approval of Initial Applications. While approval rates have improved in Kentucky over the last few years, they still worse than the national average. If you are thinking of applying for SSDI, don’t worry – there are multiple stages to the application process.
Kentucky Reconsideration Approval Over Time
| Reconsideration Approval Rate | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 9.2% | 9.5% | 10.6% | 9.3% | 9.6% | 9.6% | 8.7% | 8.3% | 8.3% | 7.7% |
| National Average | 15.1% | 15.5% | 15.0% | 13.2% | 13.6% | 13.4% | 12.4% | 12.9% | 12.6% | 11.7% |
As the table and the below chart indicate, Kentucky has historically lower than the national average when it comes to Approvals at the Reconsideration level. In 2022, Kentucky ranked 51st in the nation for highest percentage of approvals at Reconsideration. However, as you can see, in general, the chances of winning approval at Reconsideration are not particularly high. That is why many applicants must continue in the next level, the Hearing.
Kentucky Hearings Approval Over Time
| Hearing Approval Rate | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 52.8% | 52.6% | 51.6% | 52.2% | 50.7% | 49.6% | 50.2% | 54.7% | 50.6% | 49.4% |
| National Average | 57.7% | 56.8% | 54.2% | 54.7% | 51.1% | 52.9% | 53.9% | 56.8% | 54.7% | 53.4% |
As the table and the below chart indicate, Kentucky has also been historically lower than the national average when it comes to approvals at the Hearing level. In 2024, Kentucky ranked 37th in the nation for highest percentage of approvals at Hearings.
However, as you’ll see below, all individual hearing offices in Kentucky are not the same – each office has its own approval rates, and almost as importantly, waiting times. Which hearing office your case is assigned to in Kentucky may have a significant bearing on your chances for approval.
Also worthy of note is the fact that past performance is only one indicator of likely outcomes; as new data comes in, you might see that a state’s performance compared to the national average has either improved or weakened.
Kentucky SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Approval By Office
Kentucky is part of the Social Security Administration’s “Region 6,” which is headquartered in Dallas. There are 4 hearing offices in Kentucky. You can see waiting times for hearings & case dispositions for each office below, with comparisons to Kentucky and National Averages.
The “Hearing Wait Time (Months)” is, on average, how long it takes in between when an applicant asks for a Hearing and when that hearing occurs.
The “Average Disposition Time (Days)” is, on average, the number of days in between when an applicant asks for a Hearing, and when the Administrative Law Judge who hears their case actually makes a decision on that case.
The “Average Approval Rate” is percentage at which cases are decided in favor of the applicant.
| Hearing Wait Time (Months) | Average Disposition Time (Days) | Average Approval Rate (2024) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Average | 9.3 | 366 | 57.7% |
| Kentucky Average | 7.0 | 295 | 52.8% |
| LEXINGTON | 6.8 | 297 | 52.6% |
| LOUISVILLE | 8.0 | 325 | 55.6% |
| MIDDLESBORO | 6.6 | 298 | 42.4% |
| PADUCAH | 6.5 | 259 | 58.8% |
As the table here and the chart below indicate, in 2024, Kentucky is below the national average for hearing wait times. Paducah and Middlesboro have the shortest hearing wait times at 6.5 and 6.6 months respectively.
These waiting times and approval rates only highlight how important it can be to have a qualified representative – such as an Advocate from Citizens Disability – working on your case. The Government Accountability Office has done research that shows that an applicant who has a representative has an up to three times greater chance of being approved than a person who goes it alone.
Hearing Offices in Kentucky & The SSA Offices They Serve
These are the “Office of Hearing Operations” offices in Kentucky. These offices are where hearings are scheduled and generally conducted. Each OHO office supports a number of regional Social Security Administration field offices. You are likely (but not guaranteed) to have your hearing scheduled with a Judge who works in the OHO office that supports the SSA field office nearest to you.
Hearing Office Region 4 Lexington SSA, OHO
Suite 210 2241 Buena Vista Road
Lexington, Kentucky 40505-9901
(866) 783-7301 • (859) 294-8804 • (877) 347-8827
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
KENTUCKY: Campbellsville, Danville, Frankfort, Hazard, Jackson, Lexington, Maysville, Richmond
Hearing Office Region 4 Louisville SSA, OHO
Gene Snyder U.S. Courthouse 601 W. Broadway, Suite 300
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
(866) 755-0197 • (502) 582-6819 • (877) 347-9192
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
INDIANA: New Albany
KENTUCKY: Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Louisville (Downtown), Louisville (East)
Hearing Office Region 4 Louisville SSA, OHO
NCAC Gene Snyder U.S. Courthouse 601 West Broadway, Lower Level
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
(866) 367-1224 • (502) 561-0262
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Hearing Office Region 4 Middlesboro SSA, OHO
12 Tech Park Drive
Middlesboro, Kentucky 40965
(877) 600-2851 • (606) 248-6866 • (877) 365-1103
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
KENTUCKY: Corbin, Harlan, Middlesboro, Somerset
Hearing Office Region 4 Paducah SSA, OHO
Suite 200 4730 Village Square Drive
Paducah, Kentucky 42001
(866) 964-2041 • (270) 441-7911 • (877) 371-2533
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
KENTUCKY: Hopkinsville, Madisonville, Mayfield, Owensboro, Paducah
List of Social Security Administration Field Offices in Kentucky
| Office Name | Location | Address | City | State | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAYSVILLE KY | 509 MARKETPLACE DR | MAYSVILLE | KY | (855) 807-8802 | |
| LOUISVILLE KY | ROOM 101 | 601 W BROADWAY | LOUISVILLE | KY | (866) 716-9671 |
| ASHLAND KY | ROOM 132 | 1405 GREENUP AVENUE | ASHLAND | KY | (866) 269-3993 |
| LEXINGTON KY | SUITE 110 | 2241 BUENA VISTA RD. | LEXINGTON | KY | (866) 530-7754 |
| PADUCAH KY | 125 BRETT CHASE | PADUCAH | KY | (866) 614-7905 | |
| FRANKFORT KY | 140 FLYNN AVE | FRANKFORT | KY | (866) 964-1724 | |
| FLORENCE KY | 7 YOUELL STREET | FLORENCE | KY | (800) 772-1213 | |
| BOWLING GREEN KY | 2724 CHANDLER DRIVE | BOWLING GREEN | KY | (877) 801-0817 | |
| OWENSBORO KY | 4532 LUCKY STRIKE LOOP | OWENSBORO | KY | (866) 836-5834 | |
| CORBIN KY | 159 FUTURE DR | CORBIN | KY | (877) 405-0470 | |
| HAZARD KY | 122 REYNOLDS LANE | HAZARD | KY | (877) 405-0491 | |
| HOPKINSVILLE KY | 1650 MARIE DRIVE | HOPKINSVILLE | KY | (877) 405-7656 | |
| PIKEVILLE KY | 333 HAMBLEY BLVD | PIKEVILLE | KY | (888) 676-2942 | |
| ELIZABETHTOWN KY | 591 WESTPORT ROAD | ELIZABETHTOWN | KY | (866) 596-7123 | |
| CAMPBELLSVILLE KY | 101 HIESTAND FARM RD | CAMPBELLSVILLE | KY | (877) 828-1695 | |
| MIDDLESBORO KY | 10 TECH PARK DRIVE | MIDDLESBORO | KY | (877) 619-2853 | |
| DANVILLE KY | 103 BELINDA BLVD | DANVILLE | KY | (877) 512-3850 | |
| MADISONVILLE KY | 4431 HANSON RD | MADISONVILLE | KY | (877) 626-9912 | |
| SOMERSET KY | 3975 S HIGHWAY 27 | SOMERSET | KY | (877) 714-0375 | |
| LOUISVILLE EAST KY | SUITE 50 | 10503 TIMBERWOOD CIR | LOUISVILLE | KY | (888) 280-5851 |
| RICHMOND KY | 1060 GIBSON BAY DRIVE | RICHMOND | KY | (866) 838-8945 | |
| HENDERSON KY | BUILDING 3 | 2000 N ELM ST | HENDERSON | KY | (855) 628-1593 |
| PRESTONSBURG KY | 1897 KY RT 321 | PRESTONSBURG | KY | (888) 450-4538 | |
| MAYFIELD KY | 1526 CUBA ROAD | MAYFIELD | KY | (866) 931-8366 | |
| HARLAN KY | 189 VILLAGE CENTER | HARLAN | KY | (888) 590-2707 | |
| JACKSON KY | 850 HWY 15 N | JACKSON | KY | (866) 366-4920 |
Swipe left & right to see the whole table
All data on this page is current as of July, 2024.
More Important Information about The Application Process
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