Portland, Maine (Cumberland County) residents have many experienced lawyers available to help them file for Social Security Disability benefits. With the assistance of a legal professional, applicants can be sure that their disability claim is filed completely and accurately to avoid long wait times.
Currently, there are 3,551 pending cases in the Portland hearing office. The total wait time has reached 296 days. While many applicants must endure a long wait for a decision on their initial application, they often find disability benefits to be worth the wait. As of December 2011, there were 8,890 SSDI beneficiaries and 5,412 SSI beneficiaries living in Cumberland County.
To learn more about SSI and SSDI, click here.
The initial application process can be started online on the SSA’s website or in person at your local Social Security Office. See below for the office nearest to you:
Suite 150
550 Forest Avenue
Portland, ME 04101
600 Turner St
Suite 5
Auburn, ME 04210-5093
365 Main Street
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Consulting with a Portland Social Security Disability Attorney
For those looking to simplify the application process, it is suggested that they retain the services of a qualified attorney or advocate to help them with their claim. Applicants who have legal representation are more likely to be approved for benefits than those who don’t. To learn why, click here.
An attorney or advocate from Portland will often handle cases in many of the surrounding cities as well.
Contact your local bar association for more information regarding the legal professionals in Cumberland County:
Maine State Bar Association
PO Box 788
Augusta, ME 04332-0788
Cumberland Bar Association
P.O. Box 434
Freeport, Maine 04032
Portland Disability Hearings
If an applicant is denied during the first stages of the Social Security Disability application process, he or she must request an appeal hearing to be held at the Portland Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).
Here are the approval rates of the administrative law judges who handle cases in the Portland hearing office:
| ALJ | Approval Rate |
| Cutter, Christine | 51.58% |
| Helm, Linda J. | 43.93% |
| Holbrook, Todd S. | 20.96% |
| Morgan, Aaron M. | 14.00% |
| Campbell, Robert F. | 51.56% |
| Morgan, Katherine | 60.89% |
*Data from http://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/03_ALJ_Disposition_Data.html
It is not uncommon for Portland disability attorneys to become acquainted with the judges who work in the local hearing office. Your attorney may be able to use this insight to present your case in a more effective manner.
Appeal hearings can take up to several months to be scheduled. If you cannot wait that long you can request a congressional inquiry. This involves calling your local congressman to explain your financial and medical circumstances. He or she has the power to intervene with the ODAR on your behalf to expedite your Social Security Disability appeal hearing.
2 Portland Fish Pier,
Portland, ME 04101
Telephone:(207) 774-5019
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