How To Apply For Disability Benefits In Ga

Social Security Field Offices

There are 33 Social Security field offices in Georgia, which are served by either the Atlanta, Atlanta North, Chattanooga, Covington, Macon, Savannah, or Tallahassee OHO locations. Call the SSA at 800-325-0778 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to get contact information for your closest field office or use Social Security’s field office locator.

Is Your Condition Severe

Your condition must significantly limit your ability to do basic work-related activities, such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, or remembering for at least 12 months. If it does not, we will find that you are not disabled.

If your condition does interfere with basic work-related activities, we go to Step 3.

Find Out About Georgia’s State Supplemental Payments Plus How To Appeal A Denial Of Social Security Disability Or Ssi And Whether You Qualify For Medicaid

By Bethany K. Laurence, Attorney

Georgia residents can apply for disability benefits through their local Social Security Administration field office. The Social Security Administration has manages two programs to provide disability payments to those who have been disabled and are no longer able to support themselves and their families: Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income . The State of Georgia does not offer short-term disability benefits.

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Apply Online For Disability Benefits

Social Security offers an online disability application you can complete at your convenience. Apply from the comfort of your home or any location at a time most convenient for you. You do not need to drive to your local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative.

You can use the online application to apply for disability benefits if you:

• Are age 18 or older
• Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record
• Are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death: and
• Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days. If your application was recently denied for medical reasons, the Internet Appeal is a starting point to request a review of the medical determination we made.

• Print and review the Adult Disability Checklist.

  It will help you gather the information you need to complete the application.

We suggest that you have the following information at hand. It will make completing the application much easier.

We may ask you to provide documents to show that you are eligible, such as:

Important

We accept photocopies of W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns or medical documents, but we must see the original of most other documents, such as your birth certificate.

Mailing Your Documents

After we receive your online application, we will:

If One Or Both Parents In A Family Qualifies For Ssdi Benefits Often The Whole Family Can Get Benefits Known As Auxiliary Benefits Or Dependents Benefits

By Bethany K. Laurence, Attorney

The Social Security Administration administers disability benefits for those who are no longer able to work. Workers who have paid into the Social Security system are eligible for Social Security disability insurance , which also provides monthly benefits for the dependents in a disabled person’s family. A variety of family members can qualify as dependents.

If one or both parents in a family qualifies for SSDI benefits, often the whole family can get benefits, known as auxiliary benefits, or dependents benefits. are not entitled to auxiliary benefits this is an SSDI-only benefit. See our article on the difference between SSI and SSDI.)

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Applying For Disability Benefits With A Mental Illness

Mental and psychological disabilities are among the conditions that can qualify for benefits from the Social Security Administration . You may qualify with severe depression, bipolar disorder, an anxiety disorder, or another mental illness that prevents you from maintaining gainful employment.

Social Security disability benefits can cover everyday living expenses, medical bills, and other financial obligations. Benefits are paid monthly and can alleviate many of your financial worries, making it possible for you to get by without income from employment.

The Disability Application Process

Whether you apply online, by phone, or in person, the disability benefits application process follows these general steps:

• You gather the information and documents you need to apply. We recommend you print and review the . It will help you gather the information you need to complete the application.
• You complete and submit your application.
• We review your application to make sure you meet some for disability benefits.
• We check whether you worked enough years to qualify.
• We evaluate any current work activities.
• We process your application and forward your case to the Disability Determination Services office in your state.
• This State agency makes the disability determination decision.

To learn more about who decides if you are disabled, read our publication .

Once You’ve Applied

Once we receive your application, well review it and contact you if we have questions. We might request additional documents from you before we can proceed

Look For Our Response

Youll receive a letter in the mail with our decision. If you included information about other family members when you applied, well let you know if they may be able to receive benefits on your record.

Check The Status

You can check the status of your application online using your personal mySocial Security account. If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us 1-800-772-1213 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Appeal A Decision

• Reconsideration.

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Georgia Social Security Disability

There are more than 6 million residents living in the State of Georgia, of which approximately 3.9 percent receive Social Security Disability benefits. This year alone, thousands more will apply for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. When applying to disability benefits in GA, the applicant must meet the SSA’s guidelines for disability, income and work credits.

Unfortunately, approximately 60 percent of Georgia Social Security Disability claims are denied by the Social Security Administration. The applicants who are denied must then file a Request for Reconsideration if they hope to overturn the SSA’s decision to deny their disability payments. To make matters worse, nearly 80 percent of these reconsideration requests will also be denied.

The agency in charge of managing the hearings for disability applicants is the SSA’s Office of Disability and Adjudication Review . There are a number of ODAR offices located in Georgia and the one that handles your claim will depend on the area of the state that you live in. The area that you live in also determines how long you must wait before obtaining a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. The cities and towns in which the ODAR offices for Georgia residents are located are as follows:

Disability Process In The State Of Georgia

Georgia has a number of SSA field offices that can provide application forms and assistance with SSDI or SSI claims. The application may be submitted through the Georgia SSA field office, over the SSA toll-free phone line , or online through the SSA’s website . Once processed, the SSA sends the application to Georgia’s Disability Adjudication Services agency. A claims examiner requests your medical information from your doctors and determines whether you are disabled.

The main DAS office is in Stone Mountain. There are satellite offices in Athens, Dalton, Savannah, and Thomasville as well. Here is their contact information.

Central Office

229-225-5279

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Applying For Disability Benefits Online

Georgia Ssdi Hearing Wait Times & Approval By Office

Georgia is part of the Social Security Administrations Region 4, which is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. There are 5 hearing offices in Georgia. You can see waiting times for hearings & case dispositions for each office below, with comparisons to Georgia and National Averages.

The Hearing Wait Time is, on average, how long it takes in between when an applicant asks for a Hearing and when that hearing occurs.

The Average Disposition Time is, on average, the number of days in between when an applicant asks for a Hearing, and when the Administrative Law Judge who hears their case actually makes a decision on that case.

The Average Approval Rate is percentage at which cases are decided in favor of the applicant.

As the table here and the chart below indicate, in 2020, Georgia is slightly above the national average n terms of Hearing approvals. Savannah, at the time of this articles writing, is currently the highest-performer in Georgia, with almost 60% of decisions being favorable. Macon is the office with the lowest approval rating in the state, with 35.7%.

Overall, the state of Georgia ranks 36th in the nation in terms of waiting times.

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How Do I Know If I Qualify For Social Security Disability In Georgia

Home » FAQs » Social Security Disability » How Do I Know if I Qualify for Social Security Disability in Georgia?

Social Security Disability benefits were created as insurance for people who cant work because of a medical condition. However, the process is more complicated than it sounds. If you submit an application for Social Security Disability , youll need to understand what those who review your application are looking for to confirm that you qualify for benefits.

How To Apply For Ssdi Or Ssi Benefits

You can apply for short-term or long-term benefits without a lawyer at your local Social Security Administration office. If your claim is denied, and most of them typically are, that is when you need the assistance of a knowledgeable SSDI/SSI attorney.

Your legal representative will:

• Oversee your medical treatment and records for evidence
• Gather all necessary documentation, including medical records, work history and educational background information
• Persuasively present your case

As a local law firm, we have built strong working relationships with a network of doctors, clinics and other health care providers. If your disability demands specific medical treatment, we are able to advise you regarding available resources, including reduced cost options.

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How To Qualify For Ssdi In Georgia

Eligibility requirements for Social Security disability benefits are the same across the country, regardless of what state you live in. To qualify, youll need to supply supporting documentation and medical records. Many applicants find they must go through one or more steps of appeals to finally get their disability claim approved.

The two main requirements regard the severity of your disability and the length of time youve paid into the Social Security tax system.

The most crucial requirement is that your disability must be considered severe enough to impact your ability to work for at least 12 months or is expected to end in death. The SSA has made a comprehensive list of all the disabilities it will approve for disability insurance benefits, and your disability must be listed here. There is a chance that you may be able to qualify even if your disability isnt listed, but its much more likely if it is.

Second, you must show that youve contributed to Social Security with an adequate work history, which typically means 10 years of employment. However, there are some exemptions to this rule if your disability is deemed severe enough that you havent been able to work in any capacity.

The Basics About Disability Benefits

The SSDI program pays benefits to you and certain if you are insured. This means that you worked long enough and recently enough – and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings. The program pays benefits to adults and children with disabilities who have limited income and resources.

While these two programs are different, the medical requirements are the same. If you meet the non-medical requirements, monthly benefits are paid if you have a medical condition expected to last at least one year or result in death.

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Sections On This Page:

What to Do After Applying

Centrally located in Brunswick, Georgia and serving the coast, the Social Security disability attorney at the Strom Law Firm is devoted to helping disabled workers secure the benefits they need and deserve.On the page below, well help you understand if you can apply for disability benefits and how to get started on your disability application.

If Your Claim Is Denied There Are Several Steps To Take To Pursue Your Claim:

• File for Reconsideration
• Appeal Hearing Decision
• File Suit in Federal Court

Once youre approved, your first Social Security Disability benefit will be paid to you beginning at the sixth full month following the date of your application.

Finally, every several years, an investigator with the SSA will review your case to establish continued disability.

When to retain a disability lawyer: If you are not already working with a disability lawyer, we recommend seeking legal help from a disability lawyer as soon as you receive notice that your claim was rejected. Youll want to file for reconsideration as soon as possible, because of case backlog within the SSA.

Attorneys in Social Security Disability cases do much more than sit in at a hearing and ask a few questions. Much pre-hearing preparation, analysis and evidence gathering go into adequate representation for your case. For this reason you should not wait until a week or two before your hearing to contact an Attorney. The earlier an Attorney is able to start working on your case, the better your chances of winning.

If you live in Georgia, contact the Social Security Lawyer at the Strom Law Firm today at 912-264-6465, for a free consultation to discuss the facts surrounding your claim for social security benefits.

Text Your Legal Question

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Filing For Workers Compensation Benefits In Georgia

Trying to calculate the benefits youre entitled to can be an overwhelming experience. Fortunately, you dont have to face alone. Meeting with a workers compensation lawyer will help you understand the benefits you qualify for and will also help make sure that your employers insurance company is treating you fairly.

How To File For Disability In Georgia

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013.There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 51,033 times.

If you are a Georgia resident who suffers from an injury or condition that interferes with all work-related activities, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. The Social Security Administration in conjunction with the Disability Adjudication Section of the Georgia Department of Labor determine if you are eligible to participate in the disability program. To file for disability, you must fill out disability paperwork that gives the details of your medical condition and then submit your paperwork to a Social Security office or online. The SSA will then forward your paperwork to the Georgia DAS for review.

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Disability Placards In Georgia

Disabled drivers may obtain a DMV handicap parking permit in Georgia by submitting an application through the state Department of Revenue . Motorists may apply either for temporary or permanent disability parking stickers, depending on the disability they have. The handicap parking sticker in GA is better known as a permit or a placard. A disabled person placard may be used for parking a motor vehicle in specific parking places marked for disabled drivers. Before motorists submit an application, they need to satisfy several eligibility criteria and requirements.

The application for disability placards may be completed as soon as you meet the necessary qualifications. Moreover, motorists are also required to conduct a handicap placard renewal when approaching the expiration date of their current placards. However, drivers need to find out how to replace their parking tags in case their current one gets lost or stolen. To find out more information about how to obtain a permit and how to renew or replace it, continue reading the sections below.

Knowledgeable Handling Of The Social Security Application Process

Completing an initial application is the first step toward obtaining Social Security Disability benefits or Supplemental Security Income . The application process can be exhausting. Yet putting your best foot forward at the outset with a strong initial application can simplify the process in the long run.

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Guiding You Through The Complex Maze Of Disability Benefits

The process for pursuing Social Security Disability Insurance payments or Supplemental Security Income benefits is complicated. The initial applications are confusing, and one simple mistake can result in a denial. Although a majority of original claims are denied, applicants have several levels of appeals available to help them achieve the financial assistance they need.

At the Law Office of Ellene Welsh, we focus our practice on filing appeals on behalf of clients whose claims have already been denied initially. We have an in-depth understanding of the complex appeals process and have worked with the Social Security Administration for more than a decade. We can also provide general instructions on how to file an initial disability claim. Call our offices in Douglasville or Columbus at for a free initial consultation.