Where to start your process in Louisiana

To explore for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Louisiana, you will work with the Social Security Administration, not the state. The state does not run its own disability program — Social Security handles all applications, decisions, and payments.

You have three ways to begin: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. The online option is fastest if you have your medical records and work history ready. If you call, a representative will ask questions and may schedule an appointment. If you go in person, bring documents with you so the office can start your file that day.

Louisiana residents can find their nearest Social Security office by entering their zip code at ssa.gov/locator. Most offices in Louisiana are in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette, but smaller towns have satellite locations.

Key Takeaways

  • You explore directly to Social Security, not to Louisiana state government, because SSDI and SSI are federal programs.
  • You can start online at ssa.gov, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office — online is usually fastest.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, medical records from your doctors, and a list of jobs you have held in the past 15 years.
  • The decision process takes three to six months on average, though Louisiana cases sometimes take longer because the state's Disability information Services office handles a large volume.
  • If Social Security denies your claim, you have 60 days to request reconsideration, and you can represent yourself or hire a lawyer to help with an appeal.

Documents you need before you explore

Gather these documents before you start your process, whether online or by phone. Having them ready speeds up the process and reduces the chance you will need to submit them later.

You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency (a passport, naturalization papers, or a green card). Bring a photo ID as well if you are explore in person.

Social Security also needs your medical records. Contact your doctors, hospitals, and mental health providers and ask them to send records to Social Security. Include records from the past year if possible, but older records help too if they show your condition has been ongoing. If you have seen a specialist — a cardiologist, neurologist, or rheumatologist, for example — their records are especially important because they document your diagnosis and treatment.

Finally, list every job you have held in the past 15 years, including the dates you worked, what you did, and how much you earned. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns for the past two years.

The difference between SSDI and SSI in Louisiana

Both programs are run by Social Security, but they have different rules about who can receive them. Understanding which one you might be on matters because the monthly payment and work rules are different.

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history. You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years — usually at least five of the past ten years. There is no income or asset limit; you can have savings and still receive SSDI. The monthly payment is based on your earnings record, so it varies widely. You can work part-time and still receive SSDI as long as your earnings stay below a limit that changes each year.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is based on financial need, not work history. You can be on SSI if you have little or no income and few assets — the asset limit is $2,000 for a single person and $3,000 for a couple. The monthly payment is the same for everyone in Louisiana (though it varies by state), and in 2024 it is $943 per month for a single person. You can work and earn up to about $65 per month without losing SSI, but earnings above that reduce your payment.

You might be on both programs at once if you do not have enough work history for SSDI but your SSDI payment would be very low. Social Security will tell you which program you are on once your case is decided.

What happens after you submit your process

After you submit your process, Social Security sends your case to the Louisiana Disability information Services office in New Orleans. This office is separate from Social Security and makes the medical decision about whether you are disabled under Social Security's rules.

The office will contact your doctors and ask for more medical records if they need them. They may also schedule you for a consultative exam with a doctor they choose — you do not pay for this exam. The exam is usually brief and focuses on your ability to work, not on treating your condition.

The decision process takes an average of three to six months in Louisiana, though some cases take longer. You will receive a letter in the mail explaining whether you were approved or denied. If you are approved, the letter will say when your payments start. If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to request reconsideration.

What to do if your process is denied

If Social Security denies your claim, you have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to request reconsideration. This means Social Security will review your case again, usually with a different examiner.

You can request reconsideration online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. When you request reconsideration, submit any new medical records you have gathered since your first process. New evidence is your best chance of approval at this stage.

If reconsideration is also denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This is a formal process where you can present evidence and testify. Many people hire a lawyer or non-lawyer representative to help them prepare for the hearing. Representatives are paid only if you win, and the fee is set by Social Security (usually 25 percent of back pay, up to $7,200).

Working while you receive disability benefits

The rules about working depend on which program you are on and how much you earn.

If you are on SSDI, you can work and earn money without losing your benefits, as long as your earnings stay below a monthly limit. In 2024, that limit is $1,550 per month. If you earn more than that, Social Security will review whether you are still disabled. You can also use the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) program, which lets you set aside income and resources for a work goal without it counting against your SSDI.

If you are on SSI, you can earn about $65 per month without losing any benefits. Earnings above $65 reduce your monthly payment by 50 cents for every dollar you earn. SSI also has a PASS program with the same rules as SSDI.

Both programs have a trial work period that lets you test your ability to work without losing benefits. During the trial work period, you can earn any amount and keep your full benefit payment. The trial work period lasts nine months (not necessarily consecutive). After the trial work period ends, you enter an extended may be able to access period where you can still receive benefits in months when you earn below the monthly limit.

Getting help with your process

You do not need a lawyer to explore for disability benefits, but some people find it helpful to have one, especially if their case is complex or if they have already been denied once.

If you want to hire a representative, you can use a lawyer or a non-lawyer advocate called a "representative payee advocate" or "work incentive planning and information (WIPA) counselor." WIPA counselors work for free and are funded by Social Security. To find a WIPA counselor in Louisiana, call 1-866-968-7842 or visit vcu-ntdc.org.

You can also contact a legal aid organization in Louisiana if you cannot afford a lawyer. Louisiana has several regional legal aid offices that serve low-income people. Call 211 Louisiana (dial 211 or visit 211la.org) to find legal aid in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for disability while I am still working?

Yes. You do not have to stop working to explore. However, if you are earning more than the monthly limit (about $1,550 in 2024), Social Security may question whether you are truly unable to work. If you are earning less than that, you can explore without concern.

How long does it take to get a decision in Louisiana?

Most cases take three to six months. Louisiana's Disability information Services office handles a large caseload, so some cases take longer. You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to ask about the status of your case.

What if I do not have all my medical records?

Start your process anyway. Social Security and the Disability information Services office will contact your doctors and ask for records. You can also submit records yourself after you explore. The more recent and detailed your records, the better.

Can I explore online if I am over 65?

If you are 65 or older, you cannot explore for SSDI online, but you can explore for SSI online or call 1-800-772-1213. You can also explore in person at your local Social Security office.

What happens to my benefits if I move out of Louisiana?

Your benefits continue. SSDI and SSI are federal programs, so you can receive them in any state. If you move, notify Social Security so they have your correct mailing address.