According to the CDC, around 4.9 Floridians have a disability. If you live in Fort Lauderdale and have a disability that makes it it possible for you to work full time, you may want to apply for Social Security disability benefits.
During and after your disability application, it is vital to be as proactive as possible to ensure that your application has the highest chance of approval. One of the best places to start is by educating yourself on local Social Security offices that can assist you during the process.
Fort Lauderdale’s Social Security Office
Address: 3201 W Commercial Blvd #100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: (800) 772-1213
Office Hours:
MON: 09:00 AM — 04:00 PM
TUES: 09:00 AM — 04:00 PM
WED: 09:00 AM—12:00 PM
THUR: 09:00 AM — 04:00 PM
FRI: 09:00 AM — 04:00 PM
SAT & SUN: CLOSED
Directions
By car: The Fort Lauderdale SSA office is directly off of West Commercial Boulevard (FL-870). When taking this road, pull off between NW 31st St and NW 33rd St and park in the disability-friendly lot across the street in the grassed area.
By public transit: From the south and west, the 55 bus takes passengers directly to the front of the SSA building. Simply take the 55 towards Galt Mile and get off on the Commercial B/NW 33 A stop. From the north, bus 31 towards Central Terminal via BC north lets passengers off at the same stop as the 55.
Fort Lauderdale’s ODAR Office
pplicants whose initial claims are denied can choose to have their disability applications reviewed by an administrative law judge, or ALJ. These hearings are held in an Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, or ODAR.
Fort Lauderdale’s case processing times are slightly higher than the national average, so it is important that you file for an appeal as soon as you decide to pursue it.
Address: 500 East Broward Blvd. Suite 1000, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33394
Phone: (888) 436-2637
List of Fort Lauderdale ALJs:
- Judge Sylvia H. Alonso
- Judge Thurman Anderson
- Judge James Andres
- Judge Robert Baker Jr.
- Judge Mary Brennan
- Judge Mary Chrzanowski
- Judge Sarah Cyrus
- Judge Rossana L. D’Alessio
- Judge M. D. Evans
- Judge Robert Gill
- Judge Wendy Hunn
- Judge Valencia Jarvis
- Judge Theresa R. Jenkins
- Judge Lissette Labrousse
- Judge Richard J. Ortiz-Valero
- Judge Denise Pasvantic
- Judge Jose Perez-Gonzalez
- Judge Jonathan Sprague
- Judge Robert Spurlin
- Judge Brian Turner
Average Hearing Wait Time: 19.00 months
Average Processing Time: 669 days
Average Dispositions Per Day Per ALJ: 1.41
Fort Lauderdale’s Senator and Congress Office Info
Most disability applications take a long period of multiple months to get a decision. Contacting your local Congressional Representative or state Senator can potentially help you to expedite this process.
While this can’t increase your chances of approval, it can allow an office worker to research your application status and help things along.
There are other ways to potentially expedite your application as well, such as speaking with a disability attorney.
Congressional Representatives:
Theodore Deutch
Address: 7900 Glades Road Suite 250, Boca Raton, FL 33434
Phone: (561) 470-5440
Senators:
Bill Nelson
Address: 225 East Robinson St. Suite 410, Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 872-7161
Marco Rubio
Address: 201 South Orange Ave. Suite 350, Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 254-2573
Contacting a Disability Attorney
Disability attorneys are different than your typical attorney. Not only can they assist you from the very beginning of your case and beyond, but they only receive payment if you win your case.
If you do, their payment is determined by the amount you receive in benefits, capped at 25% of your initial earnings.
Because of this, disability attorneys provide some of the best legal help available, without upfront payment, even for a consultation.
Consider speaking with a disability attorney in Fort Lauderdale today for the best chance at receiving the disability benefits you deserve.
