Summary of Benefit Programs
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
This program requires a person with a disability to have worked for a substantial period of employment covered by Social Security. Beginning at age 18, a dependent, adult child of a worker who is retired, disabled or deceased, may be eligible for benefits if the child became permanently disabled before age 22. Benefits may also be paid to a widow or surviving divorced spouse. SSDI is funded through the Social Security Trust Fund.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
This federally funded program is based on financial need - it is not necessary for persons with disabilities to have worked under Social Security. Basic medical criteria for eligibility are the same for both SSI and SSDI. Recipients of benefits under both programs may also be eligible for Medicaid or Medicare benefits.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a jointly funded, Federal-State health insurance program for low-income and needy people. It covers children, the aged, blind, and/or disabled and other people who are eligible to receive federally assisted income maintenance payments. A separate application for Medicaid must be filed through the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS).
Additional Information and Programs
Disability Determinations
A team, comprised of a professionally trained analyst and a staff physician or clinical psychologist, makes the disability determination. Applications for Social Security disability benefits may be completed online at Apply for Benefits. The public may also call SSA’s toll-free number, (800) 772-1213, to schedule an appointment in person or by phone. Find the most conveniently located Social Security office at the Social Security Office Locator. To apply for Medicaid, visit Virginia's Medical Assistance Programs.
Fraud Prevention
Virginia DDS works in conjunction with SSA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) through a Cooperative Disability Investigations (CDI) unit to prevent fraud in the disability program. The CDI program was established in 1998 to effectively pool resources and expertise to prevent fraud in SSA’s disability programs. The CDI program’s primary mission is to obtain evidence that can resolve questions of fraud before benefits are ever paid. Reports from CDI Units can also be used to cease benefits of in-payment beneficiaries during the continuing disability review (CDR) process. For more information about CDI, OIG, or to report fraud, waste, or abuse, visit http://oig.ssa.gov/ or contact our Deputy Director of Administration, Brett Fielding.
SOAR in Virginia
SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is a national program designed to increase access to the disability income benefits administered by the Social Security Administration for eligible adults and children who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment or a co-occurring substance use disorder. The SOAR effort in Virginia is an initiative designed to increase access to SSI/SSDI. For more information visit the Virginia SOAR website at https://soarworks.prainc.com/states/virginia.
School Evidence
For more information about the disability process, visit Childhood Disability for School Professionals. More information is also available from the Social Security Administration's Benefits Planner.
Information for Representatives
Authorized representatives must provide SSA with an Appointment of Representative form (SSA 1696), signed by the individual filing for benefits. This form can be found online under the Appointment Of Representative – Form SSA-1696.
Virginia DDS does not accept faxed lists of claimant names nor provide routine status on claims via fax or phone calls. Virginia DDS provides bi-weekly electronic status reports for closed and pending claims. To obtain this report, representatives must complete a Claim Status Report Registration Form. Email the completed form to dds.claims.status@ssa.gov
Please review the VA DDS Claim Status Report Fact Sheet for full details.
Electronic Records Express (ERE)
To improve the efficiency of the disability case processing system, Virginia DDS promotes the use of electronic submission of medical and psychological evidence. Evidence providers can submit records by toll-free fax or uploading records through Social Security's ERE Web site. The evidence is immediately available to the DDS. For more information visit, https://www.ssa.gov/ere/.
Consultative Examination
When a decision cannot be made based on evidence from treating sources, Virginia DDS authorizes and funds a consultative examination. Community based physicians, psychologists and facilities supply these services. For more information on becoming a consultative examination provider, please contact our Professional Relations Team Leader, Teresa Sizemore-Hernandez or one of our Professional Relations Officers (as shown under the local office's contact information).
Local Office Contact Information
Central Administrative Office
8004 Franklin Farms Dr.
Henrico, VA 23229-5019
Phone: (804) 662-7625
Toll Free: (800) 552-5019
Fax: (804) 662-9041 or (804) 662-7275
• DDS Director: Leon Scales
• Operations Coordinator:
Mary Guthrie
• Professional Relations Team Leader:
Teresa Sizemore-Hernandez
Southwest Administrative Office
111 Franklin Road, S.E., Suite 200
Roanoke, VA 24011-2127
Toll Free: (877) 892-6871
Fax: (804) 662-9041 or (804) 662-7275
• DDS Director: Leon Scales
• Operations Manager:
Anita Johnston
• Professional Relations Team Leader:
Teresa Sizemore-Hernandez
Central District Office
9960 Mayland Dr., Suite 200
Richmond, VA 23233-1485
Phone: (804) 367-4700
Toll Free: (800) 523-5007
Fax: (804) 527-4523
• District Director: Elliot Duncan
• Operations Manager: Talya Brown
• Professional Relations Officer:
Shareen Young-Chavez
Tidewater District Office
5850 Lake Herbert Dr., Suite 200
Norfolk, VA 23502-2237
Phone: (757) 466-4300
Toll Free: (800) 379-4403
Fax: (757) 455-3829
• District Director: Aisha Hannibal
• Operations Manager: Sandra Bouldin
• Professional Relations Officer, Angela Osby
Northern District Office
11150 Fairfax Blvd., Suite 200
Fairfax, VA 22030-5066
Phone: (703) 934-7400
Toll Free: (800) 379-9548
Fax: (703) 934-7410
• District Director: Letha Yeary
• Operations Manager: Ethan Fuchs
• Professional Relations Officer: Vida Cyrus
Southwest District Office
612 S. Jefferson Street, Suite 300
Roanoke, VA 240119-2437
Phone: (540) 857-7748
Toll Free: (800) 627-1288
Fax: (540) 857-7707
• District Director: Rebecca Vogler
• Operations Manager: Andrew Bonham
• Professional Relations Officer: Kyle Lawrence
Extended Service Team District Office
111 Franklin Road, S.E., Suite 250
Roanoke, VA 24011-2111
Phone: (540) 512-1880
Toll Free: (877) 892-6871
Fax: (540) 512-1990
• District Director: Sharon Lee
• Operations Manager: Anita Johnston
• Professional Relations Officer: Kyle Lawrence