Florida has one of the largest numbers of citizen by population that are on disability benefits. However, because over two million Floridians identify as disabled, more and more disability benefits applications are received each year by the Social Security Administration (SSA) which leads to a lower disability approval rating in Florida compared to the national average.
This means that Florida disability benefits applicants should take as many measures as possible to ensure that their applications are correctly filed and mistake-free.
Below, you can find the information for the main Social Security Office in St. Petersburg, FL as well as that of St. Petersburg's ODAR Office. We also detail the specific methods you can utilize today from these Social Security offices near you that can ultimately help improve your application process.
Social Security Office in St. Petersburg
Address: 30 Dr M.L.K. Jr. St South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
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 to the Social Security Office in St. Petersburg
By car: The St. Petersburg SSA field office sits directly between both the 375 and the 175 freeways. When taking either, take the exit for Dr. M.L.K. Jr St South and look for the large glass building between Central Avenue North and 1st Ave South. You can find parking both on the street and at the disability-accessible parking garage beside the main building.
By public transit: If approaching from the north or west, the 20 bus towards M.L.K. street lets citizens off about .4 miles from the building at 4th Ave N + 9th St N. If approaching from the south or east, the 15 and 23 buses have stops at 3rd Ave S & M.L.K. St down the street from the building.>
St. Petersburg ODAR Office
If your initial disability application is not approved, you have a right to appeal your case to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Appeals happen during an official hearing held in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ) at an Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).
St. Petersburg’s ODAR information is listed below:
Address: 830 Central Avenue 2nd Floor, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (877) 452-4193
List of St. Petersburg’s 13 ALJs:
- Judge James P. Alderisio
- Judge Arline Colon
- Judge Joseph F. Dent
- Judge Richard P. Gartner
- Judge Laurel J. Greene
- Judge Lloyd E. Hubler III
- Judge John D. McNamee-Alemany
- Judge Scott T. Miller
- Judge Donald G. Smith
- Judge Anne V. Sprague
- Judge Elving L. Torres
- Judge Rebecca Wolfe
- Judge Norman R. Zamboni
Average Hearing Wait Time: 17.00 months
Average Processing Time: 552 days
Average Dispositions Per Day Per ALJ: 1.96
Senator and Congressional Information for St. Petersburg
Because so many people apply for disability benefits, it can take a long period of multiple months before you hear an application decision. During this time, it is important to keep the SSA up-to-date on your medical situation and check up on the status of your application. While check-ups don’t affect your eligibility, they may be able to get you your results faster.
Check-ups can be made by contacting your local congressional or senator offices, or by speaking with a Social Security disability attorney for assistance.
Below is the local Congressional Representative office for St. Petersburg as well as both Senator offices for the state of Florida.
Congressional Representatives:
Charlie Crist
Address: 696 1st Avenue North Suite #203, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (727) 318-6770
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 statistically shown to increase your chances of getting disability benefits. Their legal knowledge can help you to organize paperwork, keep your application mistake-free, and make all the difference in an appeal hearing.
Not only this, but disability attorneys are federally regulated to only take payment if they want their case. Even then, their payment is capped in proportion to your benefits awards.
For your best chance at getting the benefits your deserve, consider a free consultation with a St. Petersburg disability attorney today.
