Ohio and Social Security Disability Benefits
- Why is State-by-State Information Important?
- Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits in Ohio – What You Need To Know
- Ohio SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Approval By Office
- Hearing Offices in Ohio & The SSA Offices They Serve
- List of Social Security Administration Field Offices in Ohio
- 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 Ohio – 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 Ohio 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 Ohio below.
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits in Ohio – 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 Ohio 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) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 36.6% | 12.5% | 56.0% |
| National Average | 39.5% | 15.1% | 57.7% |
| State Difference: | -2.9% | -2.6% | -1.7% |
As the table shows, Ohio is slightly behind at the Initial Application, Reconsideration and Hearing level.
Ohio Initial Application Approval Over Time
| Initial Application Approval Rate | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 36.6% | 37.5% | 39.4% | 38.7% | 39.0% | 38.9% | 36.2% | 35.7% | 35.4% | 33.5% |
| 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, Ohio has historically been on par with the Initial Applications going back to at least 2015. In 2024, Ohio ranked 44th in the nation in terms of percentage approval of Initial Applications. While approval rates have improved in Ohio over the last few years, they still are slightly ahead of the national average. If you are thinking of applying for SSDI, don’t worry – there are multiple stages to the application process.
Ohio Reconsideration Approval Over Time
| Reconsideration Approval Rate | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 12.5% | 14.2% | 13.2% | 11.5% | 11.4% | 11.3% | 10.6% | 11.5% | 11.5% | 10.5% |
| 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, Ohio is slightly trailing the national average when it comes to Approvals at the Reconsideration level. In 2024, Ohio ranked 43rd 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.
Ohio Hearings Approval Over Time
| Hearing Approval Rate | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 56.0% | 56.0% | 53.1% | 53.1% | 50.2% | 48.6% | 49.5% | 52.0% | 47.7% | 50.2% |
| 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, Ohio has stayed significantly lower than the national average when it comes to approvals at the Hearing level. In 2024, Ohio ranked 25th in the nation for highest percentage of approvals at Hearings.
However, as you’ll see below, all individual hearing offices in Ohio 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 Ohio 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.
Ohio SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Approval By Office
Ohio is part of the Social Security Administration’s “Region 5,” which is headquartered in Chicago. There are 6 hearing offices in Ohio. You can see waiting times for hearings & case dispositions for each office below, with comparisons to Ohio 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% |
| Ohio Average | 7.5 | 295 | 56.0% |
| AKRON OH | 7.0 | 253 | 52.6% |
| CINCINNATI | 8.0 | 315 | 58.9% |
| CLEVELAND | 6.9 | 285 | 53.1% |
| COLUMBUS | 7.9 | 326 | 57.4% |
| DAYTON | 8.5 | 314 | 63.3% |
| TOLEDO OH | 6.8 | 278 | 56.0% |
As the table here and the chart below indicate, in 2024, Ohio is significantly below the national average for wait times. The Cleveland and Toledo offices however are a little faster than the rest. The average approval rate is slightly below of the National Average. With two of their six offices above the National Average.
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 Ohio & The SSA Offices They Serve
These are the “Office of Hearing Operations” offices in Ohio. 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 5 Akron SSA, OHO
Suite 400 121 South Main Street
Akron, Ohio 44308-1426
(866) 708-3209 • (330) 535-6052 • (877) 482-0825
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
OHIO: Akron (Downtown), Akron (West), Canton, Medina, New Philadelphia, Ravenna, Warren, Wooster, Youngstown
Hearing Office Region 5 Cincinnati SSA, OHO
Enquirer Building, Suite 2100 312 Elm Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(877) 405-7672 • (513) 361-0282 • (877) 904-5488
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
INDIANA: Madison
KENTUCKY: Florence
OHIO: Batavia, Cincinnati (Downtown), Cincinnati (North), Gallipolis, Hamilton, Ironton, Portsmouth
Hearing Office Region 5 Cleveland SSA
Skylight Office Tower, Suite 500, 1660 West Second Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
(877) 402-0822 • (216) 522-3344 • (877) 904-5539
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
OHIO: Ashtabula, Cleveland (Buckeye Shaker), Cleveland (Downtown), Cleveland (East), Cleveland (Northeast), Cleveland (Northwest), Cleveland (Southeast), Cleveland (Southwest), Cleveland (West), Lorain, Painesville
Hearing Office Region 5 Columbus Hearing Office Region 5 SSA, OHO
Suite 400 401 N. Front Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215 (
888) 397-6870 • (614) 469-6786 • (877) 486-2935
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
OHIO: Chillicothe, Columbus (Downtown), Columbus (East), Columbus (North), Columbus (West), Lancaster, Mansfield, Marion, Newark, Zanesville
Hearing Office Region 5 Dayton SSA, OHO
Courthouse Plaza SW, Suite 300 10 N. Ludlow Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402
(888) 450-4590 • (937) 225-7701 • (877) 486-2939
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
OHIO: Dayton, Dayton (West), Middletown, Piqua, Springfield, Xenia
Hearing Office Region 5 Toledo SSA, OHO
13th Floor One Seagate
Toledo, Ohio 43604
(866) 783-7304 • (419) 241-8234 • (877) 847-1605
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
MICHIGAN: Adrian, Monroe and OHIO: Bowling Green, Defiance, Findlay, Fremont, Lima, Sandusky, Toledo (Downtown), Toledo (West)
List of Social Security Administration Field Offices in Ohio
| Office Name | Location | Address | City | State | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOLEDO-WEST OH | SUITE A | 4906 MONROE ST | TOLEDO | OH | 43623 | (877) 274-5429 |
| PAINESVILLE OH | 55 W JACKSON ST | PAINESVILLE | OH | 44077 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| CINCINNATI-D/T | ROOM 2000 | 550 MAIN ST | CINCINNATI | OH | 45202 | (800) 772-1213 |
| CLEVELAND DT OH | RM 793 AJC FED BLDG | 1240 E 9TH ST | CLEVELAND | OH | 44199 | (800) 772-1213 |
| COLUMBUS OH-DT | ROOM 225 FED BLDG | 200 NORTH HIGH STREET | COLUMBUS | OH | 43215 | (866) 964-1723 |
| AKRON OH | 2ND FLOOR | 2 S MAIN ST | AKRON | OH | 44308 | (800) 772-1213 |
| LORAIN OH | 221 W 5TH ST | LORAIN | OH | 44052 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| ASHTABULA OH | 4815 STATE RD | ASHTABULA | OH | 44004 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| MANSFIELD OH | 1287 SOUTH TRIMBLE RD | MANSFIELD | OH | 44907 | (888) 491-1882 | |
| LIMA OH | FEDERAL BLDG, STE 101 | 401 WEST NORTH ST | LIMA | OH | 45801 | (800) 223-0288 |
| TOLEDO OH DT | SUITE 1000 | 433 N SUMMIT ST | TOLEDO | OH | 43604 | (866) 331-2196 |
| ZANESVILLE OH | 3823 JAMES COURT | ZANESVILLE | OH | 43701 | (855) 884-3408 | |
| YOUNGSTOWN OH | 354 E FEDERAL ST | YOUNGSTOWN | OH | 44503 | (877) 714-0393 | |
| SPRINGFIELD OH | 1610 N LIMESTONE ST | SPRINGFIELD | OH | 45503 | (877) 405-1451 | |
| HAMILTON OH | 6553 WINFORD AVENUE | HAMILTON | OH | 45011 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| CANTON OH | SUITE 100 | 301 MCKINLEY AVE SW | CANTON | OH | 44707 | (877) 255-1509 |
| PORTSMOUTH OH | 921 FOURTH STREET | PORTSMOUTH | OH | 45662 | (866) 613-3961 | |
| DAYTON OH | ROOM 209 FEDERAL BLDG | 200 W 2ND STREET | DAYTON | OH | 45402 | (888) 329-5724 |
| WARREN OH | 1ST FLOOR | 258 E MARKET STREET | WARREN | OH | 44481 | (866) 964-7339 |
| MARION OH | 1363 WELLNESS DR | MARION | OH | 43302 | (888) 475-0296 | |
| ATHENS OH | 743A EAST STATE STREET | ATHENS | OH | 45701 | (877) 840-7683 | |
| CLEVELAND EAST OH | 3591 PARK EAST DR | BEACHWOOD | OH | 44122 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| CLEVELAND WEST OH | 17513 DETROIT AVE | LAKEWOOD | OH | 44107 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| STEUBENVILLE OH | 100 MALL DRIVE | STEUBENVILLE | OH | 43952 | (866) 253-6889 | |
| SANDUSKY OH | 252 WAYNE STREET | SANDUSKY | OH | 44870 | (866) 588-7397 | |
| CHILLICOTHE OH | 44 STONERIDGE DRIVE | CHILLICOTHE | OH | 45601 | (877) 452-6971 | |
| CINCINNATI NORTH | 10205 READING RD | CINCINNATI | OH | 45241 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| DEFIANCE OH | 273 STADIUM DR | DEFIANCE | OH | 43512 | (877) 600-2860 | |
| FINDLAY OH | 1720 E MELROSE AVE | FINDLAY | OH | 45840 | (877) 628-6548 | |
| MARIETTA OH | 1301 GREENE STREET | MARIETTA | OH | 45750 | (855) 433-5872 | |
| NEWARK OH | 125 DERBY DOWNS RD | NEWARK | OH | 43055 | (866) 737-3514 | |
| NEW PHILADELPHIA OH | SUITE 1C | 1260 MONROE ST NW | NEW PHILADELPHIA | OH | 44663 | (866) 731-4236 |
| EAST LIVERPOOL OH | 120 EAST FOURTH STREET | EAST LIVERPOOL | OH | 43920 | (855) 269-9178 | |
| PIQUA OH | 277 S LOONEY RD | PIQUA | OH | 45356 | (866) 931-2520 | |
| LANCASTER OH | 252 VENTURE PLACE | LANCASTER | OH | 43130 | (877) 841-5712 | |
| WOOSTER OH | 2345 GATEWAY DR STE B | WOOSTER | OH | 44691 | (877) 319-0729 | |
| IRONTON OH | 611 VERNON STREET | IRONTON | OH | 45638 | (866) 789-1073 | |
| AKRON-WEST OH | 2166 ROMIG RD | AKRON | OH | 44320 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| CLEVELAND NE OH | 15250 S. WATERLOO RD | CLEVELAND | OH | 44110 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| CLEVELAND SE OH | 18711 MILES AVE | WARRENSVILLE HTS | OH | 44128 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| DAYTON-WEST OH | 4375 HOOVER AVE | DAYTON | OH | 45417 | (877) 895-0038 | |
| CLEVE BUCKEYE SHAKER | 11601 SHAKER BLVD | CLEVELAND | OH | 44120 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| CLEVELAND NW OH | 7517 LORAIN AVE | CLEVELAND | OH | 44102 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| CLEVELAND SW OH | SUITE 101 | 7344 PEARL RD | MIDDLEBURG HTS | OH | 44130 | (800) 772-1213 |
| BATAVIA OH | 1050 HOSPITAL DR | BATAVIA | OH | 45103 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| MIDDLETOWN OHIO | 3715 TOWNE BLVD | FRANKLIN | OH | 45005 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| RAVENNA OH | 444 ENTERPRISE PARKWAY | RAVENNA | OH | 44266 | (855) 863-3562 | |
| XENIA OH | 80 N PROGRESS DR | XENIA | OH | 45385 | (866) 755-5372 | |
| MEDINA OH | 4035 N JEFFERSON ST | MEDINA | OH | 44256 | (800) 772-1213 | |
| BOWLING GREEN OH | 745 INNOVATION DRIVE | BOWLING GREEN | OH | 43402 | (866) 931-7674 | |
| CAMBRIDGE OH | SUITE 105 | 1225 WOODLAWN AVE | CAMBRIDGE | OH | 43725 | (866) 883-5281 |
| GALLIPOLIS OH | 2455 STATE ROUTE 160 | GALLIPOLIS | OH | 45631 | (888) 397-6343 | |
| FREMONT OH | 2220 ENTERPRISE STREET | FREMONT | OH | 43420 | (866) 614-4760 | |
| COLUMBUS EAST | 220 S HAMILTON RD | COLUMBUS | OH | 43213 | (866) 592-0733 | |
| COLUMBUS NORTH | 1051 WORTHINGTON WOODS | WORTHINGTON | OH | 43085 | (866) 789-0957 | |
| COLUMBUS WEST | 1060 GEORGESVILLE ROAD | COLUMBUS | OH | 43228 | (866) 656-0178 |
All data on this page is current as of July, 2024.
More Important Information about The Application Process
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