The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) has developed the Expedited SSI & SSDI Program as a way to reduce the processing time of applications for disability determination for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. The program addresses
- SSI | Supplemental Security Income
- SSDI | Social Security Disability Insurance
The program is important because a reduction in application-processing time may enable people with mental illness to have quicker access to cash benefits and stable income, providing them with a means to pay for food, clothing, and housing—all of which are essential for recovery success.
The Training
OhioMHAS is training community-based behavioral health providers in the state about its Expedited SSI & SSDI Program and process, so they may assist eligible individuals. Ohio providers may request an in-person training at their organizations for team leaders and service providers, which may include but are not limited to the following:
- Case managers
- Peer recovery supporters
- Any staff person who may assist an individual with an application for benefits
Some Details about the Training
Schedule your training with OhioMHAS
- Approximately 3-hour event
- For groups of 20 or fewer participants
- CEUs available
- Contact: Megan McElroy at OhioMHAS (megan.mcelroy@mha.ohio.gov)
Partnership
The Expedited SSI & SSDI Program and process for adults with severe mental illness in Ohio was developed as a partnership among the following:
- Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS)
- Ohio Bureau of Disability Determination (OBDD)
- Social Security Administration (SSA)