The Social Security Disability Process
- Contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit them online at www.socialsecurity.gov.
- Complete the Social Security Disability application. The Social Security Disability applications are sent to the Disability Determinations Services (DDS) Offices located in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Metairie for the disability determination. After the medical evaluation is complete the Social Security Disability claim is sent back to the appropriate Social Security Office for final processing of the decision.
- For information about your Social Security Disability application at a Disability Determination Services Office in Louisiana:
- Parishes surrounding Baton Rouge office number: 1-800-256-2288.
- Parishes surrounding Shreveport office number: 1-800-256-2266.
- Parishes surrounding New Orleans office number: 1-800-256-2299.
- The DDS examiner will evaluate the medical records of the applicant. Additional medical evaluations may be requested to determine the applicant’s medical condition. The review process can take from 90-120 days to complete. It is important to provide accurate medical information to expedite your claim. To expedite the processing of your claim all medical treatments, doctor’s names, addresses and phone numbers should be provided. Recent treatment for your condition will provide evidence for your disability. Failure to provide accurate or complete medical information can slow down your claim.
- After the review of your Social Security Disability application an approval or denial letter will be sent to you. If you are approved for Social Security Disability benefits the letter will outline the date of your first benefit payment and the amount you will receive.
- If you receive a denial letter you can hire a Social Security Disability attorney and in the state of Louisiana you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This request must be made with in 60 days of the date on the denial letter.
If you appeal your Social Security Disability denial the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review will schedule the appeal hearings. The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review which services the Dallas region which includes Louisiana is:
SSA, Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Suite 460
1301 Young Street
Dallas, Texas 75202-5433
Telephone: (214) 767-9401 Fax: (214) 767-9407
Regional Office in New Orleans, Louisiana
SSA, Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Suite 1600
1515 Poydras Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
Telephone:
(504) 589-2418 Fax:
(504) 589-4585
Services the following Social Security Field Offices:
LOUISIANA:
Houma, Morgan City, New Orleans, New Orleans-Bywater, New Orleans-West B
Regional Office in Shreveport, Louisiana
SSA, Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
Louisiana Tower, Suite 700
401 Edwards Street
Shreveport, Louisiana 71101-6129
Telephone:
(318) 676-3850 Fax:
(318) 676-3889
Services the following Social Security Field Offices:
LOUISIANA:
Bastrop, Minden, Monroe, Ruston, Shreveport, Tallulah
TEXAS:
Longview, Marshall