Are you wondering what happens if you move out of Ohio while receiving disability? Your inquiry depends primarily on the type of Social Security benefits you receive and the state you are moving to. Schedule a free case evaluation with a trusted disability lawyer in Ohio to better understand your options for transferring your benefits or if you need help filing for disability.
Two Main Types of Social Security Disability Benefits
To answer the question of what happens if you move out of Ohio while receiving disability—you must first understand the benefits type you receive. There are two primary types of Social Security Disability benefits:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SDDI): SSDI is a payroll tax-funded federal insurance program of the U.S. government. It provides monthly benefits to people with medical impairments or disabilities that prevent their ability to work.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI is a federal program that provides monthly payments to children and adults who are blind or have disabilities. It also ensures payments for adults 65 and older who are U.S. citizens or have eligible immigration status with little or no income or financial resources.
Both disability services are managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), an independent agency of the U.S. federal government. The SSA provides these insurance programs to U.S. citizens who are disabled, retired, wounded warriors, veterans, or survivors of life-altering traumas.
How Will Moving Out of Ohio Affect My SSDI Disability Benefits?
If you move out of Ohio while receiving disability, you do not need to reapply for SSDI. Fortunately, SSDI benefits transfer from state to state without affecting your eligibility or payments. However, you must notify the SSA of your planned move.
How Will Moving Out of Ohio Affect My SSI Disability Benefits?
Moving out of Ohio does not affect SSDI but can significantly impact SSI benefits. Depending on your moving state, these changes can be for better or worse. While SSI payments are federally established so you won’t lose benefits, payments may still decrease or increase depending on your new state.
For example, if you receive SSI in Ohio and move to a state without SSI state supplementation, you’ll lose your state SSI supplement—decreasing your payment to federal SSI amounts. However, your payments will increase if you move to a state with a higher SSI supplement. Most states pay a state supplement to residents receiving SSI benefits, except for the following:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Mississippi
- North Dakota
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
Additionally, some states will only pay a state SSI supplement if you reside in a nursing home or alternative care facility. This program is called the Optional State Supplemental Payment (OSSP) Program. Speak with a disability lawyer in Ohio to understand the SSI changes coming with your move.
How to Notify the SSA if You Move Out of Ohio While Receiving Disability
You should notify SSA of your intent to move before you relocate to ensure a smooth process of receiving your payments and communications about benefits at your new address. You are required to notify the SSA of your address change within 10 days of moving.
You can change your address and other contact information by phone, online, or in person. To report any changes in your address or other information, contact your local Social Security office or the SSA’s national office at 1-800-772-1213.
Online is the quickest and easiest way to update your information. Simply log in to your SSA profile and update it. Alternatively, you can visit your local Social Security office and report your address change.
If you don’t report your address change in time, you may receive less SSI than you’re entitled to in your moving state. Or you might receive an overpayment and have to pay something back. The SSA can penalize you if you don’t report a change in time. Unfortunately, the penalty may be deducted from your monthly payments—making it imperative that you update the SSA if you move out of Ohio while receiving disability.
If you receive a state supplement not administered by the SSA, you must notify the appropriate state agency that you’re moving out of Ohio. If you don’t report your address change to your state immediately, you may face penalties similar to those imposed by the SSA.
How Will a Disability Lawyer Help Transfer SSI Benefits?
Because state SSI supplements vary significantly, consulting an experienced Social Security lawyer can be beneficial in many ways. For example, they can advise on your new state’s SSI program to ensure you receive the correct benefit amounts. Other ways a Social Security disability lawyer helps are as follows:
- Paperwork Completion: Incomplete disability applications are a significant cause of delays, potential gaps in benefits, or denials when moving to another state. A disability lawyer will review and complete all required paperwork for transferring your benefits. Having an experienced legal professional fill out all the necessary forms ensures your information is accurate and complete.
- SSA Communications: From packing up your entire life to remembering to handle all the little things before you go, moving out of Ohio to another state is a considerable process that may become overwhelming. Let a formidable Social Security lawyer alleviate some of your overwhelm by ensuring a smooth transfer of your SSI benefits. They will handle all communications so that you can focus on packing your belongings and saying goodbyes to neighbors.
- Identifying Potential Concerns: Transferring benefits requires understanding the moving state’s SSI program and how the process works. An attorney will identify potential challenges relating to your case, such as state-specific SSI eligibility requirements or changes in your medical impairment.
- Advocating for Your SSI Needs: Your disability lawyer will advocate for your needs if the SSA highlights any concerns about transferring your benefits. Their services ensure your SSI benefits are adequately adjusted based on your moving state and any new circumstances.
Schedule a free consultation with experienced social security disability attorneys in Ohio to assist with transferring your SSI benefits. If you need help filing an eligibility claim for SSI or SSDI, contact a law firm near you today.
