Alabama Disability Resources

If you just got hurt on the job, received a diagnosis, or need to understand what Alabama offers for people with disabilities, this page covers the major programs and how to access them.

Workers' Compensation

Alabama's Workers' Compensation Division handles claims for employees injured on the job.

1. Report the injury to your supervisor immediately.
2. Ask your employer which doctor to see. The employer selects the initial treating physician.
3. If you're unhappy with the initial doctor, you can request a second opinion from a panel of four doctors your employer provides.

• Notify your employer within 5 days of the accident. Absolute deadline: 90 days.
• File a formal claim in court within 2 years of the accident or 2 years from your last compensation payment.

• Death: 500 weeks
• Permanent total disability: Unlimited
• Permanent partial: 300 weeks
• Temporary total: Unlimited
• Temporary partial: 300 weeks

• Phone: 334-956-4044 or 1-800-528-5166
• Fraud hotline: 334-956-4040
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Web: adol.alabama.gov/divisions/workers-compensation

State Disability Programs

Alabama does not have a state disability insurance (SDI) program. Disability benefits come through federal programs:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): For workers who paid into Social Security. Apply at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): For people with limited income and resources. Apply at your local Social Security office.

Medicaid

Alabama Medicaid provides health coverage for people with disabilities through several programs.

• Medicaid for the Elderly and Disabled (E&D): For people who qualify for SSI or meet similar financial and disability criteria.
• Institutional Medicaid: Covers nursing home, hospital, and ICF-IID facility care.
• Home and Community-Based Waivers: For people who are elderly, disabled, homebound, or have specific diagnoses and live in the community.
• SSI-Related Programs: For people who lost SSI payments but kept Medicaid under certain laws.

• Download forms from medicaid.alabama.gov
• Apply in person at your county Medicaid office
• Veterans and their dependents must apply for maximum VA benefits before applying

• Web: medicaid.alabama.gov
• Office locations: medicaid.alabama.gov/contact

Vocational Rehabilitation

The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) Vocational Rehabilitation Service (VRS) helps people with disabilities find and keep employment.

• Employment services and job placement
• Supported employment for people with the most significant disabilities
• Counseling and guidance
• Assistive technology
• Transition services for high school students
• Educational services and job training
• Vocational assessment
• Ticket to Work program (for SSDI/SSI recipients)
• SSA Benefits Counseling through certified Community Work Incentive Coordinators
• Traumatic Brain Injury services

• Must be an Alabama resident
• Have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits employment
• Must be able to benefit from services toward employment

• Contact your local VRS office
• Call the state office: 800-441-7607

• ADRS State Office: 602 S. Lawrence St., Montgomery, AL 36104
• Phone: 334-293-7500 / Toll-free: 800-441-7607
• Transition Services: 800-671-6842
• TBI Services: 888-879-4706
• Benefits Counseling Hotline: 877-816-4602
• ADA Hotline: 1-800-205-9986 / TTY: 1-888-574-2257
• Client Assistance Program: 205-348-4928
• Web: rehab.alabama.gov

Disability Rights

The Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) is the state's federally designated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) organization. ADAP provides legal advocacy for people with disabilities.

• Community living and accessibility
• Abuse and neglect
• Supported decision-making
• Employment discrimination
• Special education
• Assistive technology
• Voting rights
• Healthcare access
• Housing

• Submit an intake request through their website
• Web: sites.ua.edu/adap
• Client intake form: sites.ua.edu/adap/client-intake-form

• Alabama DHR Civil Rights Office: 334-242-1550
• Mail: State of Alabama DHR, Civil Rights/Equal Employment Office, 50 N. Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36130
• Email: [email protected]
• Federal: U.S. HHS Office for Civil Rights: 1-800-368-1019 / TDD: 800-537-7697

Veterans Services

The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs provides state-level assistance to veterans and their dependents.

• Claims assistance for VA benefits
• State veterans homes
• Assistance navigating federal VA programs

• Web: va.alabama.gov

State Employment Protections

Alabama does not have a comprehensive state civil rights law covering disability discrimination in private employment beyond the federal ADA. Disability discrimination claims are filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

• The ADA applies to employers with 15+ employees. Alabama's workers' comp covers employers with 5+ employees.
• Employers must provide reasonable accommodations for known disabilities unless it causes undue hardship.
• State government agencies are required to comply with Title II of the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

• EEOC: eeoc.gov/disability-discrimination
• Alabama DHR Equal Employment/Civil Rights Office: 334-242-1550

Key Contacts

| Agency | Phone | Website | |--------|-------|---------| | Workers' Compensation Division | 334-956-4044 / 1-800-528-5166 | adol.alabama.gov | | Alabama Medicaid Agency | See county offices | medicaid.alabama.gov | | ADRS Vocational Rehabilitation | 800-441-7607 | rehab.alabama.gov | | ADAP (Protection & Advocacy) | See intake form | sites.ua.edu/adap | | Alabama Dept. of Veterans Affairs | See website | va.alabama.gov | | EEOC (disability discrimination) | 1-800-669-4000 | eeoc.gov | | ADA Hotline (ADRS) | 1-800-205-9986 | rehab.alabama.gov | | Social Security Administration | 1-800-772-1213 | ssa.gov |