Iowa Social Security Disability Benefits

If you're a resident of Iowa who has a medical condition that keeps you from working, you may qualify for disability. The federal Social Security Administration provides two kinds of benefits for people who have medical conditions that keep them from working full-time for at least a year. On the state level, Iowa runs a workers' compensation program that can provide cash payments to people who were injured on the job.

Unfortunately, Iowa isn't one of the few states to offer short-term disability benefits to its residents. But if you have private long-term disability insurance, you may be able to receive wage replacement at a certain percentage of your usual income until you're ready to return to work (or the policy runs out).

Keep in mind that Social Security, workers' comp, and private insurance providers all have different definitions of disability, so if you qualify for one program, it's not a guarantee that you'll qualify for another.

How to Apply for Social Security Disability in Iowa

What most people think of as "Social Security disability" is actually two programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI is available to people who have sufficient work credits through payroll tax contributions. SSI is needs-based and provides monthly benefits to people with low income and assets.

The type of benefit you're applying for can affect how you file for benefits. For example, both SSDI and SSI claims can be started online using Social Security's web portal, but only SSDI claims can be completed online. If you're applying for SSI, a representative from Social Security will need to contact you to confirm that you meet the income and asset limits.

Both SSDI and SSI claims can be started and submitted over the phone by calling the Social Security Hotline at 800-772-1213 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Deaf or hard of hearing people can use the TTY number at 800-325-0778.

Lastly, you can file for both SSDI and SSI in person at your local Social Security field office. There are about 20 field offices in the state of Iowa. The offices are generally open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can find the office nearest you by using the office locator tool and searching by ZIP code.

Iowa Disability Determination Services

After you submit your application and Social Security determines that you meet the financial requirements for a disability program, your file is sent to a state agency in charge of determining whether you meet the medical requirements to receive disability. In Iowa, this agency is called Disability Determination Services, or DDS.

DDS is a subsection of Iowa Workforce Development. Claims examiners at DDS review your medical records and determine whether you meet a listed impairment or have a residual functional capacity that rules out all work. You can contact the DDS office if you have questions or want to know the status of your claim. Contact information for DDS is as follows:

Iowa Disability Determination Services
535 SW 7th St.
Des Moines, IA 50309

Telephone: 800-532-1223
Fax: 515-725-0900
eFile Fax: 866-536-9702

You can use the eFile fax number to submit any new medical evidence you've received while your claim is being reviewed.

Claims examiners in Iowa approve about 44% of initial disability applications, higher than the national average. If you receive a denial letter, you have 60 days to appeal the decision by requesting "reconsideration" of your claim. At the reconsideration level, a different examiner will review your application and decide whether the initial denial was incorrect. Only around 14% of disability claims in Iowa are approved after reconsideration, but you can appeal again—this time by asking for a hearing with an administrative law judge.

Disability Appeal Hearings in Iowa

Social Security's Office of Hearing Operations (OHO) is tasked with scheduling and conducting disability hearings. You have 60 days after your reconsideration appeal was denied to request a hearing.

The main OHO handling disability claims in Iowa is located in Des Moines, with the Omaha OHO holding hearings for parts of Western Iowa. You can find the contact information for these hearing offices below.

Des Moines OHO
Capitol Center 3, Suite 200
400 E. Court Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309

Telephone: 877-628-6577
Fax: 833-586-0158
eFile Fax: 877-417-4609

As of May 2024, the average wait time between requesting a hearing and conducting a hearing for the Des Moines office is 6.5 months. Judges in the Des Moines OHO issue favorable decisions (approving benefits) in about 46% of hearings.

Omaha OHO
Exec Center, Suite 500
1000 N 90th Street
Omaha, NE 68114

Telephone: 888-881-4633
Fax: 833-561-0427
eFile Fax: 877-389-4218

The average wait time for a hearing in the Omaha office is 7 months. Judges in the Omaha office issue favorable decisions in about 43% of hearings.

How Much Is Disability Pay in Iowa?

The amount of money you'll receive in disability benefits depends on several factors. If you were approved for SSDI, you can theoretically receive a maximum of $3,822 per month (in 2024). However, the average monthly payment is much lower, at $1,537. This is because SSDI benefits are based on how much money you made before becoming disabled.

SSI amounts are set by the federal benefit rate, which changes every year ($943 per month in 2024). You'll receive that amount from the federal government, minus any countable income you have for that month. But the State of Iowa adds on a state supplementary payment, called State Supplementary Assistance, to some disabled adults who receive SSI and aren't living independently. For example, people living in a residential care facility can receive a personal needs allowance of $123 per month as well as a flat per diem rate of $17.86

While Social Security administers Iowa's state supplement for most SSI recipients, the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services administers the payment for people who are living in residential care or receiving in-home health care. If you qualify for SSI in Iowa, you'll automatically qualify for Medicaid and possibly food assistance as well. You can learn more about Iowa's food assistance programs at hhs.iowa.gov, and you can apply online for Medicaid as well.

Iowa Workers' Compensation

Like most states, Iowa requires employers to provide worker's compensation insurance for their employees. Employees who become disabled because of a job-related accident or illness may be entitled to "permanent" worker's comp benefits. If you receive a permanent disability settlement from workers' comp, it may be partially offset against (subtracted from) your SSDI or SSI payments.

The Protection and Advocacy Agency for Disabled Iowans

Disability Rights Iowa is the designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) organization for the state of Iowa. Congress established the P&A program in 1975 after reports of widespread abuse in institutions meant to take care of people with disabilities. P&A agencies can help you report instances of neglect, fight back against discrimination at work, and assist in protecting your finances (if you have a representative payee for your disability benefits, for example).

You can get in touch with Disability Rights Iowa using the address and contact information below:

Disability Rights Iowa
Financial Center
666 Walnut St., Suite 1440
Des Moines, IA 50309

Telephone: 515-278-2502 or 800-779-2502
Fax: 515-278-0539

You can also contact Disability Rights Iowa by filling out their online intake form.

Do I Need to Get a Lawyer for My Iowa Disability Claim?

You don't need to hire a lawyer for any stage of the disability determination process, but most people benefit from having one. An experienced disability attorney can help gather important medical records, obtain treating source statements from your regular doctors, and represent you at a disability hearing. Most disability attorneys offer free consultations, so you can ask around to find one who's the best fit for you.