How To Get Disability In Ga

ALL STATE DATA UPDATED FOR 2021!

Everyone's experience applying for Social Security Disability benefits will be unique. Part of this is because everyone's individual medical and work history is different. But, potential applicants should also know that each state – like Georgia – has its own story to tell in terms of social security disability benefit approval rates at each stage of the process, as well as waiting times at the hearing stage.

Why is State-by-State Information Important?

Specialized disability advocates (like us here at Citizens Disability) and Georgia social security disability attorneys know all too well how important it is to understand that every state is different. It's very helpful to know what the trends are, how long the wait times are from office to office, and what the different rates of approvals are.

Citizens Disability takes a data-driven approach to helping our clients. We want to make sure that we're giving our clients the best possible advice at every step in the application process. We also work very hard to present the best possible case for each of our clients. Bringing together data from a wide variety of sources – including data like this, which comes from the Social Security Administration – allows us to make smart decisions when we present cases for our clients.

Finally, this information can be very helpful to applicants. Applying for social security benefits is likely a new experience for most applicants, and having an idea of what they can expect from the process can help them be engaged and involved participants with their advocates.

While your own journey may be different than the trends you see here, these tables and charts can help you understand what, on average, you can expect.

You will also find location and contact information for all the offices in Georgia below.

Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits in Georgia – What You Need To Know

There are generally three stages in the application process for Social Security Disability benefits: initial application, reconsideration, and the hearing. In this table, you can see how Georgia compares to the national average (all states in America) when it comes to approval rates at each of those stages.

	Initial Application (L1)	Reconsideration (L2)	Hearing (L3)
Georgia	40.7%	15.2%	51.5%
National Average	38.4%	13.7%	51.1%
State Difference:	2.3%	1.6%	0.4%

As the table shows, Georgia is slightly above the national average for approvals at the Initial Application and Reconsideration and Hearing stages.

Georgia Initial Application Approval Over Time

Initial Application Approval Rate	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010
Georgia	40.7%	37.2%	33.7%	32.1%	31.7%	29.3%	27.2%	25.7%	26.4%	27.3%	27.9%
National Average	38.4%	37.9%	35.6%	34.7%	33.7%	33.1%	32.8%	33.0%	33.4%	33.2%	35.1%

Swipe left & right to see the whole table

As the table and the below chart show, Georgia has been trailing the national average approval rates of Initial Applications going back to at least 2010, although it has narrowed the gap significantly in the last few years. In 2020, Georgia ranked 20th in the nation in terms of percentage approval of Initial Applications. While approval rates have definitely improved in Georgia over the last few years, they still trail the national average, with only about 1 in 3 initial applications being approved. If you are thinking of applying for SSDI, don't worry – there are multiple stages to the application process.
This graph shows the current & historical approval rates for SSDI initial applications in Georgia and compares them to the national averages.

Georgia Reconsideration Approval Over Time

Reconsideration Approval Rate	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010
Georgia	15.2%	14.7%	12.1%	11.9%	13.4%	11.6%	10.0%	9.8%	10.0%	12.6%	14.7%
National Average	13.7%	13.6%	12.6%	13.1%	12.8%	11.8%	11.0%	11.4%	11.9%	11.4%	12.5%

Swipe left & right to see the whole table

As the table and the below chart indicate, Georgia has bounced around the national average, although generally fairly closely, when it comes to Approvals at the Reconsideration level. In 2020, Georgia ranked 18th in the nation for highest percentage of approvals at Reconsideration. However, as you can see, in general, the chances of winning approval at Reconsideration are not particularly high. That is why many applicants must continue in the next level, the Hearing.
This graph shows the current & historical approval rates for SSDI reconsideration requests in Georgia and compares them to the national averages.

Georgia Hearings Approval Over Time

Hearing Approval Rate	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010
Georgia	51.5%	54.4%	57.8%	60.2%	58.3%	57.1%	54.4%	56.5%	60.2%	68.3%	71.6%
National Average	51.1%	52.9%	53.9%	56.8%	54.7%	53.4%	53.7%	55.5%	57.7%	62.5%	67.2%

Swipe left & right to see the whole table

As the table and the below chart indicate, Georgia has been close to the national average when it comes to approvals at the Hearing level. In 2020, Georgia ranked 21st in the nation for highest percentage of approvals at Hearings, with a state-wide approval rate of 51.5%.
This graph shows the current & historical approval rates for SSDI hearings in Georgia and compares them to the national averages.
However, as you'll see below, all individual hearing offices in Georgia are not the same – each office has its own approval rates, and almost as importantly, waiting times. Which hearing office your case is assigned to in Georgia may have a significant bearing on your chances for approval.

Also worthy of note is the fact that past performance is only one indicator of likely outcomes; as new data comes in, you might see that a state's performance compared to the national average has either improved or weakened.

Georgia SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Approval By Office

Georgia is part of the Social Security Administration's "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 (Months)" 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 (Days)" 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.

	Hearing Wait Time (Months)	Average Disposition Time (Days)	Average Approval Rate (2020)
National Average	11.4	318	51.1%
Georgia Average	13.1	348	51.5%
ATLANTA DOWNTOWN	14.8	383	56.6%
ATLANTA NORTH	13.1	382	52.3%
COVINGTON GA	11.4	304	49.3%
MACON	12.9	313	35.7%
SAVANNAH	13.4	356	60.1%

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 article's 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.

These waiting times and approval rates only highlight how important it can be to have a qualified representative – such as an Advocate from Citizens Disability – working on your case. The Government Accountability Office has done research that shows that an applicant who has a representative has an up to three times greater chance of being approved than a person who goes it alone.

This graph shows the current approval and wait times for SSDI hearings for Social Security offices in Georgia and compares them to the national averages.

Thinking about applying for SSDI Benefits? Our quiz is easy and takes less than a minute!
See If You Qualify!

Hearing Offices in Georgia & The SSA Offices They Serve

These are the "Office of Hearing Operations" offices in Georgia. These offices are where hearings are scheduled and generally conducted. Each OHO office supports a number of regional Social Security Administration field offices. You are likely (but not guaranteed) to have your hearing scheduled with a Judge who works in the OHO office that supports the SSA field office nearest to you.

Hearing Office Region 4 Atlanta SSA, OHO
Atlanta Federal Center, Suite 20T10 61 Forsyth Street,
S.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30303
(404) 562-1182 • (404) 562-1055 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

Hearing Office Region 4 Atlanta • (Downtown) SSA, OHO
Suite 500, Marquis 1 245 Peachtree Center Avenue
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
(866) 964-7350 • (404) 584-0587 • (877) 330-9975
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Services These Social Security Field Offices:
GEORGIA: Atlanta (Downtown), Atlanta (West), Columbus, La Grange, Marietta, Newnan, Southlake-Morrow, Villa Rica

Hearing Office Region 4 Atlanta • (North) SSA, OHO
2nd Floor 4100 Old Milton Parkway
Alpharetta, Georgia 30005
(855) 210-1031 • (770) 475-6947 • (877) 330-9977
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Services These Social Security Field Offices:
GEORGIA: Gainesville, Gwinnett, Toccoa, Winder

Hearing Office Region 4 Augusta SSA, OHO
Pulling Unit 115 Robert C. Daniel, Jr. Parkway
Augusta, Georgia 30909
(888) 872-1596 • (706) 733-7779 • (877) 314-9639
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(Pulling Unit assigned to the OHO Columbia, SC Hearing Office)

Hearing Office Region 4 Covington SSA, OHO
10155 Eagle Drive
Covington, Georgia 30014
(866) 708-3231 • (678) 342-7655 • (877) 787-5217
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Services These Social Security Field Offices:
GEORGIA: Athens, Covington, Decatur, Griffin

NCAC Region 4 Macon SSA, OHO
Suite 500 484 Mulberry Street
Macon, Georgia 31201-7929
(866) 331-2191 • (478) 752-3448 • (877) 338-4214
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Services These Social Security Field Offices:
GEORGIA: Albany, Cordele, Macon, Tifton, Warner Robins

Hearing Office Region 4 Savannah SSA, OHO
2nd Floor 8 Southern Oaks Court
Savannah, Georgia 31405
(866) 964-7590 • (912) 652-4411 • (877) 338-4215
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Services These Social Security Field Offices:
GEORGIA: Brunswick, Dublin, Savannah, Statesboro, Valdosta, Vidalia, Waycross

List of Social Security Administration Field Offices in Georgia

Office Name	Location	Address	City	State	Phone Number
ATLANTA-D/T GA	SUITE 2860 FLR 28	401 W PEACHTREE ST NW	ATLANTA	GA	(800) 772-1213
SAVANNAH GA		430 MALL BLVD	SAVANNAH	GA	(866) 366-4923
ALBANY GA		1522 W 3RD AVE	ALBANY	GA	(877) 319-0733
MACON GA		3530 RIVERSIDE DRIVE	MACON	GA	(888) 759-3917
ATHENS GA		1650 PRINCE AVENUE	ATHENS	GA	(866) 964-3294
COLUMBUS GA		7263 NORTH LAKE DR	COLUMBUS	GA	(877) 784-3688
AUGUSTA GA		115 ROBERT C DANIEL JR	AUGUSTA	GA	(877) 616-2523
WAYCROSS GA		303 ISABELLA ST	WAYCROSS	GA	(877) 405-3578
LAGRANGE GA	SUITE A	1300 LAFAYETTE PKWY	LAGRANGE	GA	(866) 836-6744
ROME GA		480 RIVERSIDE PKWY NE	ROME	GA	(866) 964-1006
MILLEDGEVILLE GA		109 CYPRESS CORNERS	MILLEDGEVILLE	GA	(866) 348-5817
THOMASVILLE GA		1916 SMITH AVENUE	THOMASVILLE	GA	(888) 491-1886
GAINESVILLE GA	SUITE 210	2565 THOMPSON BRDG RD	GAINESVILLE	GA	(866) 331-2309
VALDOSTA GA		3149 PERIMETER PARK LN	VALDOSTA	GA	(866) 829-2617
BRUNSWICK GA		134 JUNIPER CT	BRUNSWICK	GA	(866) 964-6563
DUBLIN GA		919 HILLCREST PKWY	DUBLIN	GA	(888) 655-6438
GRIFFIN GA		1548 FLYNT ST	GRIFFIN	GA	(866) 964-1005
SOUTHLAKE GA		6670 MERCHANTS WAY	MORROW	GA	(800) 772-1213
DALTON GA		301 POINT NORTH PL	DALTON	GA	(866) 593-5681
MARIETTA GA		1415 FRANKLIN GATEWAY	MARIETTA	GA	(800) 772-1213
GWINNETT GA		4365 SHACKLEFORD RD	NORCROSS	GA	(800) 772-1213
DECATUR GA		3554 COVINGTON HWY	DECATUR	GA	(800) 772-1213
ATLANTA WEST GA	BLDG 2400 SUITE 122	3800 CAMP CREEK PKWY	ATLANTA	GA	(800) 772-1213
STATESBORO GA		1050 BRANNEN ST	STATESBORO	GA	(866) 748-2088
TOCCOA GA		155 BIG A RD	TOCCOA	GA	(877) 405-7655
VILLA RICA GA		908 S CARROLL RD	VILLA RICA	GA	(866) 331-2318
WINDER GA		389 EAST BROAD ST	WINDER	GA	(866) 331-9071
CORDELE GA		510 E 15TH AVE	CORDELE	GA	(888) 225-8869
WARNER ROBINS GA		220 CARL VINSON PKWY	WARNER ROBINS	GA	(866) 931-7084
TIFTON GA		732 2ND ST W	TIFTON	GA	(877) 635-3542
COVINGTON GA		9180 COVINGTON BY PASS	COVINGTON	GA	(800) 772-1213
VIDALIA GA		104 W THIRD ST	VIDALIA	GA	(866) 931-2518
NEWNAN GA	SUITE B	246 BULLSBORO DR	NEWNAN	GA	(800) 772-1213

Swipe left & right to see the whole table

All data on this page is current as of February, 2021.

script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js">

About Citizens Disability, LLC:

Since 2010, Citizens Disability has been America's premier Social Security Disability institution. Our services include helping people in applying for SSDI benefits, managing the process through Reconsideration, and representing people in person at their Hearing, and if necessary, bringing their case to the Appeals Council. Our mission is to give a voice to the millions of Americans who are disabled and unable to work, helping them receive the Social Security Disability benefits to which they may be entitled. Learn more about us and disability benefits like SSDI & SSI or give us a call (800)492-3260.

Citizens Disability is committed to helping keep people safe from fraud. We will never ask for personal details to start an SSDI application over Facebook or social media. We will only ask for certain details, in private messages, to confirm the identity of a client in a customer service situation. The only way to begin an SSDI application with us is on the phone, through a number found on our website, or one of our clearly-marked advertisements. Please keep your personal details safe, don't share them in a public forum, or with individuals who solicit your information.