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Disability Benefits in Florida

According to the state's official website, over 690,000 citizens of Florida are recipients of disability benefits, which results in over 7.7 billion dollars in cash benefits being distributed to help disabled citizens with the cost of housing, food and other necessities. In Florida, the Division of Disability Determinations handles all applications for disability benefits with a team of state employees. Several requirements regarding medical records and consultations must be met in order for an individual to be eligible for disability benefits.

  1. Division of Disability Determinations

    • The Florida Division of Disability Determinations employs over 800 federally funded state employees to handle disability claims, distribute cash benefits and order medical records, consultations and examinations. In order to determine eligibility for disability benefits, the department must have doctor recommendations and medical records to support a claim. The department also works with trained medical examiners to set up additional consultations regarding specific applicants when eligibility is not clear. In addition to its duties of determining eligibility and distributing funds, the Division of Disability Determinations is responsible for monitoring the state disability benefits budget and complying with state and federal regulations.

    Applying for Benefits

    • Florida citizens can apply for disability benefits through the federal Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs or the state Medically Needy program. Applicants should submit their initial application for disability benefits at the their local Social Security field office, which will then forward the application to the Division of Disability Determinations. After eligibility has been determined in that department, the claim is returned to the Social Security Administration for a final determination, at which point benefits can begin to be distributed. Those who are approved must undergo periodic reviews to determine continuing eligibility. It is important that any individual receiving disability benefits contact his local Social Security field office or Division of Disability Determination office as soon as possible if any changes occur that may affect his benefits status, including a return to work.

    Local Offices

    • Questions about disability benefits eligibility or continuation can be directed to one of the Division of Disability Determination's many local offices around the state of Florida. The main branch is located at the Department of Health offices in Tallahassee. Other local offices are located in Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola and Tampa. For a complete list of offices with contact information, go to www.doh.state.fl.us.

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