Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa Disability Lawyers for SSDI and SSI
Downard & Associates represents adults in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applications, reconsideration appeals, and administrative hearings. We work with clients by phone or video, gather medical evidence, and prepare cases for the stage ahead. If your care has involved several hospitals or clinics, start with a list of providers and treatment dates. Contact us to discuss your claim and the help you need.
How we help
How We Help With a Tulsa Application or Appeal
These details give SSA a basis for evaluating your claim.
A claim needs more than the name of a medical condition. We help assemble the evidence for the Social Security Administration (SSA) and explain what happens at the stage you have reached.
Application: We help prepare and file your application, gather medical evidence, and document your work history. These details give SSA a basis for evaluating your claim.
Reconsideration: We review the reasons for an initial denial, address the issues identified, and add missing evidence to the appeal.
Administrative hearing: We develop the medical record, prepare you for questions about your treatment and limitations, and present the case to the administrative law judge.
We handle SSDI cases for people who currently receive VA benefits, but we do not handle VA claims or appeals. We do not take disability cessation or continuing disability review cases, or new cases involving back-pay issues alone. We refer federal court appeals to a trusted affiliate rather than handling them in-house.
Our Oklahoma disability representation page explains the broader statewide service area and claim process.
Benefit eligibility
SSDI and SSI Eligibility for Tulsa Adults
SSDI generally requires enough total and recent work covered by Social Security. The work-credit requirements depend on your age when disability began. For statutory blindness, the recent-work test does not apply, but the total-work requirement still does. See SSA's work-credit guidance and SSDI eligibility guidance.
SSI does not require work credits. Adults may qualify based on disability, statutory blindness, or age 65 or older, subject to income, resource, residency, citizenship or qualifying noncitizen status, and other requirements. SSA explains these in its SSI eligibility guidance.
For SSDI and adult SSI claims based on disability, SSA evaluates medical severity and whether a medically determinable condition prevents substantial gainful activity, or SGA. SGA means significant physical or mental work of a kind usually done for pay or profit. If the claim reaches those steps, SSA considers relevant past work and whether you can adjust to other work. Not every claim reaches every step.
For disability-based claims, both the medical condition and the resulting inability to perform SGA must generally have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 consecutive months, unless the condition is expected to result in death within 12 months of when you became unable to perform SGA. The duration requirement does not mean you must wait a year before applying.
SSI based on statutory blindness follows different rules: SSA does not use SGA to determine initial SSI eligibility, and SSI statutory blindness has no duration requirement. Financial and other SSI requirements still apply. SSI based on age 65 or older does not require a disability finding. Read SSA's separate blindness rules.
Local medical evidence
Finding Records at Tulsa's Saint Francis, OSU, and Hillcrest
Identify each hospital, clinic, or specialist involved in your care, including providers outside Tulsa.
SSA checks the nonmedical requirements of an application. Oklahoma Disability Determination Services (DDS), part of the state Department of Rehabilitation Services, reviews medical eligibility under federal rules. SSA sends the written determination notice.
DDS usually seeks evidence from your own treatment sources first. Identify each hospital, clinic, or specialist involved in your care, including providers outside Tulsa. If you want copies of records for your own file, use the instructions for the provider that holds them.
Saint Francis Health System: Its medical records page links to an online request for records from its facilities and asks you to have photo ID ready. It also describes access through MyChart.
OSU Medical Center: Its records instructions require a completed authorization form. You can return it by fax, mail, or in person to Health Information Management.
Hillcrest HealthCare System: Its records request page offers requests through MyChart or an online request platform. Use the link for the hospital or clinic where you received care.
OSU Medical Center's MyChart FAQ explains that the portal contains portions of the record and describes the information as a snapshot. Do not assume that a downloaded health summary includes every treatment note. Compare what you have with your treatment list and ask the records department about missing material.
Get organized
A Provider Checklist for Your Tulsa Disability Claim
Use a separate line for each treatment source. SSA's application instructions explain the medical and work information it asks for.
Provider and dates: Write down the hospital or clinic, treating professional, contact information, patient number if known, and treatment dates. Include care outside the three systems listed above.
Records status: Note which visit notes, reports, or summaries you already have. If you request copies, record the request date, the material requested, and what arrived.
Tests and medication: List test names and dates, who ordered them, your medications, and who prescribed them.
Work and daily limits: List the jobs you held in the five years before you became unable to work, with duties, dates worked, hours, and pay. Describe specific tasks affected by your condition, such as lifting, sitting, concentrating, or maintaining a schedule.
Claim papers: Keep your application or appeal copies, SSA decisions, and the date you received each decision together.
Organizing your file should not postpone an application. SSA says not to delay applying because you do not have all the documents, and it can help obtain them.
After a denial
Acting on a Tulsa SSDI or SSI Denial
Deadline
60days
After an initial SSDI or SSI denial, a written reconsideration request is generally due within 60 days after you receive the notice. After a reconsideration denial, a written request for an administrative law judge hearing is generally due within 60 days after receipt. The reconsideration rules for SSDI and SSI explain the first deadline.
SSA generally assumes you received the notice five days after its date unless you show that you received it later. A late reconsideration or hearing request requires a written request for more time explaining the delay. SSA must find good cause; an extension is not automatic.
For office information as your case reaches the hearing stage, see our Social Security hearing-office guide. Follow your case notice for the scheduled hearing instructions.
Common questions
Tulsa Disability Claim Questions
Is my OSU MyChart summary the same as my full medical record?
No. OSU Medical Center says MyChart gives access to portions of the record and describes the information as a snapshot. For records beyond what you can see there, follow its authorization process and identify the material you need. A portal summary alone does not show that every relevant treatment note is included.
Should I include doctors I saw before moving to Tulsa?
Include relevant treatment sources even if they are outside Tulsa. SSA asks for provider contact information and treatment dates. Identify earlier care related to your claimed condition rather than limiting the list to your current hospital or clinic.
Do I need to buy all my medical records before applying?
No. SSA's Adult Disability Starter Kit says you do not need to obtain or pay for missing medical records before applying. Supply records you already have and identify your treatment sources. Do not delay filing because records or other information are missing.
Can my SSA hearing take place by phone or video?
SSA lists four ways to attend a hearing: in person, audio by telephone, agency video using SSA equipment, and online video using your own device. Online video requires your agreement. The appearance notice explains how and when to agree to online video or object to audio, agency video, or both. Objections are subject to SSA rules and exceptions. Follow your hearing notice for the scheduled method and location. Phone or video meetings with our team do not determine your hearing format.
Discuss your claim
Talk With Downard About Your Tulsa Claim
Tell us where you are in the application or appeal process and how your health affects your ability to work. We can discuss representation for your SSDI or SSI claim and the next step.