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If you’re applying for disability benefits in Oregon, there’s some good news: There are several programs you might qualify for, and many conditions give you a good chance of qualifying.
On the other hand, it might take you longer to get benefits in Oregon than in other states — in particular if you need a hearing scheduled. The SSA hearing offices in Oregon are on the country’s slower side (in Portland, it takes an entire year to speak with a judge after requesting a hearing).
Here’s a complete overview of how disability works in Oregon, how long it might take, how much you might qualify for, and how to increase your chances of winning benefits.
For the rest of this article, we’re going to focus on SSDI and SSI. These are the programs most people talk about when they consider “getting on disability” — and they’re the ones most people qualify for.
It’s often necessary to apply for SSDI and SSI when trying to qualify for other programs (like most long-term disability plans). Or, they’re advantageous to apply for in conjunction with other programs (like VA benefits).
While being medically disabled is a requirement for SSDI and SSI — there are technical requirements (work and income) that are just as important for approval. We’ll share the basic qualifications and then explore some details that may apply to your specific case.
To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must:
Read more on who's eligible for SSDI.
To qualify for SSI, you must:
Read more on SSI eligibility here.
Any medical condition that prevents you from working for at least a year can qualify for disability.
Amongst these the most common conditions in Oregon were:
Overall, many conditions can qualify for disability benefits. Across the state, categorically, SSDI recipients have the following conditions:
If your condition falls into any of these categories and prevents you from being able to work, the SSA will likely award you disability benefits. If you have a particularly severe condition (stage 4 cancer, ALS), you may be on the compassionate allowance list — which automatically qualifies you for benefits, if you meet the work or income requirements.
You can apply for disability benefits with the help of a lawyer, or on your own. Most often, you’ll file the application, and be asked to submit some supplementary documentation on your work history, your day-to-day functioning, and the treatment you receive for your condition.
There are three ways to submit an application for disability benefits:
If you’re not applying with a lawyer, it’s generally helpful to apply at the SSA office. They won’t give you legal advice, but can advise you on how to answer the application questions accurately.
It takes most people hours to submit an application because of the documentation needed.
Here’s what you’ll need to do to submit an application:
If you’re working with a lawyer, they should fill out your application for you (the right way), and confirm receipt with the SSA. (If you’d like more advice on how to fill out the initial application, or how you can find the right lawyer — Atticus gives legal advice for free).
While some people have their application accepted at the initial decision stage — most people (about 70%) are rejected, and have to file for reconsideration. About 91% of reconsiderations are also rejected, and applicants request a hearing with an administrative law judge.
At a hearing, about 50% of people win benefits — and your odds increase threefold if you work with a lawyer. We wrote at length about what to expect at a hearing and your chances of winning your appeal.
Given how frequently initial applications are denied, it can take several months to a year or more to get your claim approved.
In 2021, to receive an initial decision took an average of 5.5 months (165 days). The time to process your reconsideration took 4.9 months (147 days).
The time you wait for your hearing date depends on your SSA hearing office. The average wait in Oregon is anywhere from 9 months (Eugene office) to a year (Portland office).
On average, it takes 1.73 years to get disability benefits in Oregon — plus any additional time you take to send in additional paperwork, file reconsideration, and request a hearing. Most applicants will take around two to two and a half years to go from application to final decision.
Sending the SSA your documentation as soon as possible is the only way to speed up this process — so it’s important to meet deadlines, and get forms and medical records their way as fast as possible. Your lawyer can help you stay on track, and will call to confirm the SSA has all the information they need.
The average monthly benefit for SSDI recipients in Oregon was $1,338.75 per month according to the most recent SSA data. This was slightly above the nationwide average but only about half of the maximum possible SSDI benefit ($3,627 per month in 2023).
It’s easy to learn exactly what you would qualify for by signing up for an SSA.gov account. To check your potential benefit amount, and your SSDI work-history eligibility:
The maximum monthly payment you can receive for SSI is $914 in 2023 and the average SSI payment in Oregon was $630.43 per month.
To determine your benefit amount, the SSA will subtract any other regular monthly income you have from this amount. So if you're eligible to receive SSI, you’ll either receive the maximum $914 check or $914 minus your other income sources (stocks and investments, SNAP benefits, part-time work, etc.).
When you’re applying, disability attorneys can save you from critical application missteps and save you weeks of paperwork. At the hearing stage, they’ll cross examine witnesses from the state and help you make the best possible case before a judge. Overall, applicants with a lawyer on their side are three times more likely to win benefits than those without.
If you’re looking for a Oregon disability lawyer on your own, consider these key criteria before hiring:
It can be challenging to suss out great lawyers from mediocre lawyers without a legal background. If you’d like to be matched with a lawyer who’s a great fit for your claim, Atticus can help (for free).
We’ve spent years vetting disability lawyers and have built a network of legal teams (chosen from the top 5% of firms). We trust them to treat our clients well, and to win their cases. If you want our help evaluating the right disability lawyer for you, sign up here.
To qualify for disability you need to have a condition that prevents you from working for at least a year. You’ll also need to meet certain work history requirements (for SSDI) or be within certain income limits (for SSI). For more on these requirements, read our full write up here.
Any condition that will prevent you from working for a year or more can qualify for disability benefits. Some of the most common conditions include musculoskeletal disorders, mental disorders, nervous system diseases, and circulatory system diseases. See our full list of conditions that qualify here.
It takes an average of 6.1 months to get an initial disability decision in Oregon. Most people who apply are initially rejected, and need to appeal this decision. If you appeal and go to a hearing, the process takes around two years on average. Read more: How Long It Takes to Get Approved for Disability Benefits
The average SSDI payment in Oregon is $1,338.75 per month. The average SSI payment is $630.43 per month. What you’ll earn is dependent on your income, or the amount you’ve historically paid into the Social Security program. Read more on what amount you can expect.
Answer the application questions truthfully, consistently, and succinctly. You should also ensure that you gather and submit all your medical records with your application. The SSA paperwork can be complicated, so our legal team has written a full guide to the application here.
No, Oregon doesn't have a state disability program. Only five states (California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island) have a state program. Residents of Oregon can apply for federal disability programs (SSDI and SSI). Read more about SSDI and SSI here.
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Jackie Jakab
Lead Attorney
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