Where to Start Your process in Georgia

You explore for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through Social Security, not through the state of Georgia. The state does not run the disability program — Social Security does. You can start your process online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office.

Georgia has 47 Social Security field offices spread across the state. If you go in person, you will need to find the one nearest you on the Social Security website. The office will not make an appointment for you over the phone in most cases — you either walk in during business hours or call ahead to ask if they are taking walk-ins that day. Wait times at offices vary widely; some have a 30-minute wait, others can be two hours or more.

The fastest route for most people is to start online at ssa.gov/applyfordisability. You can complete the entire form without leaving home, and you do not have to finish it in one sitting — Social Security saves your progress. If you start online and later need to speak to someone, you can schedule a phone appointment through the same website.

Key Takeaways

  • You explore through Social Security (federal), not through Georgia state government, and you can start online at ssa.gov/applyfordisability without visiting an office.
  • You will need your Social Security number, birth certificate, medical records from your doctors, and a list of jobs you have held in the past 15 years.
  • Social Security takes 3 to 6 months to make an initial decision, and most first applications are denied — this does not mean you cannot win on appeal.
  • If Social Security denies you, you have 60 days to file a written request for reconsideration, which is a separate review by a different examiner.
  • Georgia has a State Disability information Services office in Atlanta that does the medical review work for Social Security, but you still explore through Social Security itself.

Documents You Need Before You explore

Gather these documents before you start your process. Social Security will not ask for all of them at once, but having them ready speeds up the process and prevents delays later.

Proof of identity and age: Your birth certificate (original or certified copy) and a photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. If you do not have a birth certificate, you can order one from the Georgia Vital Records office online or by mail.

Social Security number: Your own and your spouse's if you are married. You will need this to start the process.

Medical records: Names and phone numbers of every doctor, hospital, clinic, and mental health provider who has treated you for your condition in the past three years. Write down the dates you saw each one. Social Security will contact them directly to get your records, so you do not have to collect them yourself — but the faster you give Social Security the names, the faster they can request the records.

Work history: A list of every job you have held in the past 15 years, including the employer name, dates you worked there, and the type of work you did. Include self-employment if you had any.

Financial information (for SSI only): If you are explore for SSI rather than SSDI, you will also need bank account numbers, investment account statements, and proof of any income you receive. SSDI has no income or asset limits; SSI does.

The Online process Process Step by Step

The online form at ssa.gov/applyfordisability takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete if you have your documents ready. You do not need to finish it in one session — you can save and come back.

The form asks for your personal information (name, address, phone number, email), your Social Security number, your date of birth, and your citizenship status. It then asks when your condition began and what work you can no longer do. Be specific here: instead of "I cannot work," write "I cannot stand for more than 30 minutes" or "I have severe memory loss and cannot follow multi-step instructions." Social Security uses these details to understand how your condition affects your ability to work.

Next, you list your doctors and hospitals. You do not need to have the exact dates — approximate is fine. Social Security will contact them. You also list your work history for the past 15 years. If you cannot remember exact dates, give the year and the season (spring, summer, fall, winter).

At the end, you review your answers and submit. Social Security sends you a confirmation number. Write it down. You will use it to check the status of your process online or when you call Social Security.

What Happens After You Submit

After you submit, Social Security sends your process to the Georgia Disability information Services (DDS) office in Atlanta. This office is part of Social Security but operates separately. The DDS office reviews your medical records and decides whether your condition meets Social Security's definition of disability.

The review takes 3 to 6 months on average. During this time, Social Security may ask you to see a doctor for a consultative examination — a one-time appointment that Social Security pays for. If they ask you to go, you must go; refusing without good reason can result in a denial.

You can check the status of your process online at ssa.gov/myaccount or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You can also visit a local Social Security office in Georgia, though calling is usually faster.

Social Security will mail you a decision letter. The letter explains whether you were approved or denied, and if denied, it explains why. Keep this letter — you will need it if you appeal.

If Your process Is Denied

Most first applications are denied. This is normal and does not mean you cannot win. You have the right to appeal, and many people who are denied on the first try win on appeal.

You have 60 days from the date on your denial letter to file a written request for reconsideration. This is a second review by a different examiner at the Georgia DDS office. To request reconsideration, fill out form SSA-561 (Request for Reconsideration) and mail it to the address on your denial letter, or bring it to a Social Security office in Georgia.

Reconsideration takes another 3 to 6 months. If you are denied again, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This is a more formal process where you can present evidence and testify. You have 60 days from your second denial letter to request a hearing.

At the hearing stage, many people hire a disability representative or attorney. Social Security limits what they can charge — typically 25% of your back pay, up to a maximum of $7,200. You do not pay them unless you win.

Georgia-Specific Resources and Offices

The main Social Security office for Georgia is in Atlanta, but there are 46 other field offices throughout the state. You can find the one nearest you by entering your zip code at ssa.gov/locator.

If you need help understanding the process or filling out forms, you can contact a Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program. Georgia's PABSS is run by Disability Rights Georgia, a nonprofit. They offer free help to people explore for or receiving SSDI or SSI. You can reach them at 1-800-900-3427 or through their website at disabilityrightga.org.

The Georgia Disability information Services office is located in Atlanta and handles the medical review for all Georgia applications. You cannot contact them directly — all communication goes through Social Security. However, if you believe they made an error in reviewing your medical records, you can mention this in your appeal.

If you are low-income and need help paying for medical records or other costs related to your process, ask your local Social Security office about fee waivers or other information programs. Some offices have partnerships with local nonprofits that can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for disability while I am still working in Georgia?

Yes. Social Security allows you to earn up to $1,550 per month (in 2024) while explore for SSDI. If you earn more than this, Social Security may deny your process or say you are not disabled. The amount changes each year. If you are close to this limit, ask Social Security about the trial work period, which lets you test your ability to work without losing benefits.

How long does it take to get approved in Georgia?

The initial decision takes 3 to 6 months. If you are denied and request reconsideration, add another 3 to 6 months. If you request a hearing, add 6 to 12 months more. The entire process from process to hearing decision can take 1 to 2 years. During this time, you receive no benefits unless you are approved.

Do I have to go to a Social Security office in Georgia to explore?

No. You can explore entirely online at ssa.gov/applyfordisability or by phone at 1-800-772-1213. You only need to visit an office if you choose to, or if Social Security asks you to come in for a consultative examination.

What is the difference between SSDI and SSI in Georgia?

SSDI is based on your work history — you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes. SSI is based on need — you must have low income and few assets. In Georgia, SSI recipients also receive Medicaid automatically. SSDI recipients must wait 24 months after approval before Medicare begins. You can explore for both at the same time.

What if I cannot afford a doctor to document my disability?

Tell Social Security. They can pay for a consultative examination with a doctor of their choosing. This is free to you. Social Security uses this exam to help decide your case. You can also ask about Medicaid in Georgia while your process is pending — you may be able to get coverage for medical visits related to your disability.