If you live in Indiana and have a medical condition that keeps you from working full-time for at least 12 months, you may be eligible for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Although these are both federal programs, each state is entitled to assess eligibility for benefits on behalf of the Social Security Administration. This means that there are often differences between states on issues like how much you can receive in SSI and whether you automatically qualify for Medicaid.
Regardless of the state you live in, you have several options when it comes to applying for disability, depending on whether you're filing for SSDI or SSI.
Apply online (for SSDI only). If you're filing for SSDI, you can submit your entire application using Social Security's web portal at ssa.gov. You'll receive a "re-entry" number that you can use to complete the application at a later time if you need to. Make sure you write the number down because if you lose it, you'll need to start over with a new application.
Visit a Social Security field office. If you're filing for either SSI or SSDI, you can go to one of the 25 field offices in Indiana and apply in person. You can find the office nearest to you by entering your zip code into the locator tool. Offices are typically open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but some ask that you make an appointment to visit, so you should call ahead before you go.
Call a Social Security representative. You can call 800-772-1213 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to file for SSDI or SSI. Deaf and hard of hearing applicants can call the TTY number at 800-325-0778.
The Disability Determination Bureau, part of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, is the state agency that determines whether you're eligible for benefits according to the definition of disability under section 23 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 423). Claims examiners at the DDB review your medical records, employment history, and daily activities to decide whether you meet a listing or have a residual functional capacity that rules out all work.
You can contact the DDB if you have questions about the status of your claim or want to submit additional evidence. Call the DDB at 800-622-4968 and ask to speak with the examiner assigned to your claim. You can find the name of the examiner handling your claim on the last page of any correspondence you've received from the DDB.
For fiscal year 2023, claims examiners at the Indiana DDB approved about 34% of initial disability applications, below the national average. If you aren't awarded benefits on your first try, you have 60 days to appeal by requesting reconsideration of your claim. Only about 12% of disability applications in Indiana are approved after reconsideration review, but it's a necessary step before you can ask for a hearing with an administrative law judge, where your odds of success are highest.
Social Security's Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) is responsible for scheduling and conducting disability hearings. In Indiana, the average wait time for a hearing ranges between 6 to 8 months. There are five OHOs that handle claims originating from Indiana:
Cincinnati OHO (services the Madison, IN area)
John W. Peck Federal Building, Suite 4-510
550 Main Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 877-405-7672
Fax: 833-619-0569
eFile Fax: 877-904-5488
As of July 2024, judges in the Cincinnati office issue favorable decisions—meaning they awarded disability benefits—in about 50% of cases.
Evansville OHO (services Evansville and Vincennes)
Old Post Office, 2nd & 3rd Floors
100 NW Second Street
Evansville, IN 47708
Telephone: 855-863-3559
Fax: 833-985-2301
eFile Fax: 877-670-6913
Judges in the Evansville office issue favorable decisions in about 48% of cases.
Fort Wayne OHO (services Auburn, Elkhart, Fort Wayne, and Marion)
6511 Brotherhood Way
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
Telephone: 866-770-1735
Fax: 833-302-0014
eFile Fax: 877-670-6916
Judges in the Fort Wayne office issue favorable decisions in about 52% of cases.
Indianapolis OHO (services Anderson, Bloomington, Columbus, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Muncie, Richmond, and Terre Haute)
101 W Ohio St, Ste. 1010
Indianapolis, IN 46204-1523
Telephone: 866-931-4820
Fax: 833-619-0756
eFile Fax: 877-670-6919
Judges in the Indianapolis office issue favorable decisions in about 55% of cases.
Valparaiso OHO (services Gary, Hammond, Lafayette, Merrillville, Michigan City, South Bend, and Valparaiso)
1250 Eastport Centre Drive
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Telephone: 866-873-1269
Fax: 833-702-0714
eFile Fax: 877-435-0326
Judges in the Valparaiso office issue favorable decisions in about 55% of cases.
The federal benefit rate for SSI in 2024 is $943 per month, minus any countable income you have in that month. If you live in a licensed residential or Medicaid facility, you may be eligible to have your room and board expenses covered by the state through the Residential Care Assistance Program. You may also qualify for a modest (around $50) personal needs allowance on top of your SSI benefits.
You can receive a maximum monthly SSDI benefit of $3,822 for 2024, but the average amount for SSDI recipients is much lower, at $1,537. This is because your SSDI benefit is calculated based on your wage history, which varies significantly from person to person.
You may be eligible for Hoosier Care Connect, the Medicaid program for the state of Indiana, if you're approved for SSI. You won't automatically be enrolled in Hoosier Care, however—you'll need to file a separate application with the Division of Family Resources (DFR). Each county has its own DFR office, but you can visit the division's official website and enter your zip code to find the one closest to you.
Eligibility for Medicaid in Indiana is based on your income, family size, and total assets. Below you can find the Hoosier Care income standards starting on March 1, 2024.
Family Size |
Income Limit (per month) |
1 |
$1,255 |
2 |
$1,704 |
3 |
$2,152 |
4 |
$2,600 |
5 |
$3,049 |
In addition to the above income limits, you must have less than $2,000 in assets ($3,000 for a married couple). For most people, "assets" just means any money you have in your bank account or cash on hand. Your family home, at least part of the value of your car, and personal belongings like appliances, clothes, or jewelry don't count as "assets."
The disability process is long and can be both confusing and frustrating. It may be helpful to contact an experienced disability attorney to talk about your case, especially if you're planning on attending a hearing. Your representative will be able to present a theory of disability (the "why" you're disabled) to the judge, prepare you to testify in a way that helps your claim, and cross-examine any expert witnesses that will likely be present.
Need a lawyer? Start here.