According to statistics from the 2015 American Community Survey, Maine is ranked 6th in the country for having the most disabled residents per capita at 14.8%. Of these disabled residents, only one in four are able to find work that they are capable of doing with their condition.
These numbers, in comparison to the rest of the United States, are rather low.
However, if you live in Maine and experience a severe disability, do not worry — Social Security disability benefits are available to all US residents whose severe conditions prevent them from continuing their normal work. Continue below to learn more about disability resources near Portland, ME.
Social Security Office Portland, ME
Address: FLOOR 2, 1355 Congress St., Portland, ME 04102
Phone: (800) 772-1213
Office Hours:
MON: 09:00 AM — 04:00 PM
TUES: 09:00 AM — 04:00 PM
WED: 09:00 AM — 4:00 PM
THUR: 09:00 AM — 04:00 PM
FRI: 09:00 AM — 04:00 PM
SAT & SUN: CLOSED
Directions:
By car: Social Security office Portland, ME is directly off of the I-295/Exit 5 toward Fore River Parkway. If you are coming from I-295S, take Exit 5B and merge onto ME-22/Congress Street. If you coming from I-95, take Exit 47 before continuing on ME-25 Rand Rd and then take Capisic St to Congress St. Portland's Social Security office building has a parking lot but they ask that you please do not park in the parking spots that are reserved for Inspire Dental customers. In addition to this parking lot, there is another nearby lot that is located on Caleb Street, Lassell Street, and Bradley Street. And, if you park across the street from the SSA office, there are 2 crosswalks on Congress Street that are proximal to their office building.
By public transit: Starting in Downtown Portland, the 5 bus (Metro Pulse) can get you to Portland's SSA office. Getting on the bus at the Metro Pulse stop at Elm Street in Downtown Portland, take this bus for 11 stops until you reach the stop at Congress Street and 1329 Congress Street where you should get off of the bus. From here, walk approximately 1 minute (262 feet) heading West (toward Caleb Street) on Congress Street. The SSA office will be on your right.
If neither car nor public transit is not available to you, you can call your local office at the number above to discuss alternative transportation methods.
Social Security OHO Office Portland, ME
ODARs (Offices of Disability Adjudication and Review) are typically for larger disability application questions and proceedings. ODARs are utilized for official Social Security hearings in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ) to attempt to reverse an application decision.
For those who are unable to make their hearing in person, ALJs can hold video hearings from these locations as well.
Address: One Portland Square Suite 600, Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (877) 701-2137
Average Hearing Wait Time: 14.50 months
Average Processing Time: 447 days
Average Dispositions Per Day Per ALJ: 1.88
Portland’s Congressional and Senatorial Offices
Most applicants assume that the only offices that handle disability work are Social Security offices. However, you can check the status of your application by contacting your local congress or senatorial offices as well.
In some cases, this can even speed up your application by having an office worker move your case through a potential waiting period. Other methods, such as speaking with a Portland disability attorney, can do this as well.
Benefits of Disability Attorneys
Disability attorneys can assist you from before you send in your application to the lengthiest of cases that require court appeals. Their expertise in the field is statistically shown to greatly improve applicant’s chances of getting benefits.
Even better, they are not allowed to take payment for their services unless they win your case, reducing the risk and heightening the reward of utilizing their professional services.
Before taking your next step towards disability benefits, consider a free consultation with a Portland disability attorney near you.
