Disabled residents of Augusta (Richmond County) have access to many qualified Social Security Disability Lawyers who can assist them throughout the various stages of the Social Security Disability application process. A lawyer can simplify the process and increase your chances of being approved for disability benefits.
Right now, the Augusta Hearing Office has a wait time of 340 days and a total of 4,295 pending cases. Although it may seem less than ideal to wait 340 days for a decision on your claim, many Richmond County Residents find disability payments to be worth the long wait. As of December 2011, Richmond County was home to 7,530 SSDI beneficiaries and 7,930 SSI beneficiaries.
For more information on the different Social Security Disability benefit programs, click here.
To initiate the Social Security Disability application process, Augusta residents can fill out an application online or fill out a hard copy in person at his or her local SSA office. To fill out an application in person, you must call your local office ahead of time to schedule an appointment. Listed below are the Social Security offices near you:
115 Robert C Daniel Junior Parkway
Augusta, GA 30909-0810
Telephone: 1-706-731-0685
7263 North Lake Drive
Columbus, GA 31909
Telephone: 1-706-494-6171
Consulting with a Augusta Social Security Disability Attorney
If you aren’t familiar with the rules and regulations surrounding the disability application process, you would be well advised to meet with an attorney or advocate. He or she will be able to prepare you for each stage of the process to ensure that your case is being seen in the best light possible.
To learn about the many benefits of hiring a Social Security Disability lawyer, click here.
An Augusta Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Richmond County, Columbia County, McDuffie County, Jefferson County, and Burke County: Martinez, Hamburg, Burnettown, Clearwater, Columbus, Grovetown, Murphys Estates, Aiken, New Ellenton, Jackson, Hephzibah, and Evans.
For more information about the legal professionals in your area, contact one of the following Bar Associations:
Augusta Bar Association
Jon E. Ingram, Jr. - President
P.O. Box 2426
Augusta, GA 30903
Chattahoochee Bar Association
P.O. Box 1340
Columbus, GA 31902-1340
Phone (706) 653-4336
Columbus Bar Association
P.O. Box 2133
Columbus, GA 31902
(706) 324-5606
Augusta Disability Hearings
If an applicant has been denied during the initial stage of his or her disability claim, they must request a hearing to be held at the Augusta Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR)—if he or she wishes to continue to pursue Social Security Disability benefits.
Below is a list of approval rates for the judges (ALJs) who hear disability claims in the Augusta hearing office:
| ALJ | Approval Rate |
| Allen, Robert C. | 62.71% |
| Bedell, Laurie A. | 45.59% |
| Chase, Ethan A. | 60.18% |
| Daly, Tracy | 52.27% |
| Fleming, Ronald | 30.72% |
| Guyton, Carol | 27.78% |
| McMichael, Carla | 35.14% |
| Northington, Maria C. | 61.48% |
| Wilson, Kelly | 48.70% |
| Woode, Charles | 33.33% |
*Data from http://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/03_ALJ_Disposition_Data.html
Many Augusta attorneys and advocates are familiar with the ALJs who work in their local hearing office. Your attorney or advocate may be able to use this insight to effectively help you prepare your case.
In some instances, it can take a long time to have an appeal hearing scheduled. If you are suffering from financial or medical complications, you can contact your local congressman to expedite your disability hearing. If you can explain the severity of your situation, your congressman may be able to intervene with the ODAR on your behalf.
1450 Greene Street, Suite 550
Augusta GA 30901
p: (706)722-4494
If you would like a free legal evaluation with an Augusta Social Security attorney or advocate, fill out the following form:
