Filing for Disability in Georgia: Social Security and SSI

Even though Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs, a state agency actually decides if a disability applicant is disabled for the purpose of SSDI or SSI benefits. In Georgia, that state agency is called Disability Adjudication Services (DAS). After you file your initial disability application with Social Security, your file is sent to the Georgia DAS. (Contact information for the DAS offices is below.)

Each state disability determination agency has different disability approval and denial rates. The Georgia DAS approves just 23% of disability claims at the initial application level, which means more than 70% of initial applications are denied.

Another state agency, the Georgia Department of Human Resources, adds a state supplemental payment to the federal SSI payment for those living in Medicaid facilities (see below).

Disability Appeals in Georgia

If your disability claim is denied by DAS and you request an appeal hearing, your disability case then goes to the Office of Hearing Operations (OHO), which is part of the federal Social Security Administration. Contact information for the OHO offices in Georgia is below.

In Georgia, it takes, on average, more than 17 months from the time you request a hearing to the date an administrative law judge (ALJ) makes a decision on a case following a hearing. For 2018/2019, Georgia ALJs awarded benefits in 54% of the cases they heard.

Stage of Application	Georgia	Nationally
Approval After Initial Application	23%	35%
Approval After Reconsideration Review	12%	13%
Approval After Appeal Hearing	54%	45%
Hearing Wait Time	17 months	17 months

How Much SSI Will I Receive in Georgia?

While the federal government funds most of the SSI payment (up to $771 a month in 2019), Georgia provides a small state supplement for eligible residents living in Medicaid facilities (nursing homes for which Medicaid pays at least half). For an eligible individual, the supplement is $20; for couples, the amount is $40.

The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) manages the SSI supplement. You do not need to apply separately for the state SSI supplement because eligible SSI recipients are tracked by the DHR's computer database once they are approved for disability.

How Much Will it Cost to Get My Medical Records?

Georgia law places a limit on how much a doctor's office or hospital can charge you for your medical records. In Georgia, medical providers can charge a $0.75 for the first 20 pages, $0.65 for pages 21-100, and $0.50 for each page copied over 100. A provider can also charge a $20.00 preparation fee, a $7.50 fee to certify the records, and can seek reimbursement for postage.

A medical provider cannot charge for mental health records.

DAS Contact Information

The Georgia Department of Labor (DOL), Rehabilitative Section administers Georgia's Disability Adjudication Services program. Here is the contact information for Georgia's DAS locations:

Thomasville Office

1317 East Jackson St.
Thomasville, GA 31792-4750
Phone: 229-225-5279

Savannah Office

450 Mall Blvd., Suite C
Savannah, GA 31406-4864
Phone: 912-351-3511

Athens Office

394 South Milledge Ave.
Athens, GA 30605-5626
Phone: 706-227-5455

Dalton Office

1615 Hickory St # 106
Dalton, GA 30720
Phone: 678-639-2100

Central Office

1551 Juliette Rd.
Stone Mountain, GA 30083-1509
Phone: 678-639-2100

For more information, visit the Georgia's Vocational Rehab Agency's website .

Hearing Office Locations in Georgia

Georgia has several Offices of Hearing Operations (OHO) located throughout the state. These offices were formerly known as Offices of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). Below is the contact information for each office.

Atlanta HO

245 Peachtree Center Ave.
Suite 500, Marquis 1
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Phone: (866) 964-7350
Fax: (404) 584-0587

Atlanta North HO

4100 Old Milton Parkway
Alpharetta, GA 30005
Telephone: (855) 210-1031
Fax: (770) 475-6947

Chattanooga HO

1232 Premier Dr., Suite 200
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421
Telephone: (877) 833-2721
Fax: (423) 855-6407

(This OHO also serves Dalton and Rome, Georgia.)

Covington HO

10205 Eagle Dr.
Covington, Georgia 30014
Phone: (866) 708-3231
Fax: (678) 342-7655

Macon HO

484 Mulberry St., Suite 500
Macon, Georgia 31201-7929
Phone: (866) 331-2191
Fax: (478) 752-3448

Savannah HO

8 Southern Oaks Court, 2nd Floor
Savannah, GA 31405
Phone: (866) 964-7590
Fax: (912) 652-4411

Tallahassee HO

1961 Quail Grove Lane, 2nd Floor
Tallahassee, Florida 32311
Telephone: (888) 472-5996
Fax: (850) 942-1034

(This OHO also serves Thomasville, Georgia.)

Social Security Field Offices

There are 33 Social Security field offices in Georgia, which are served by either the Atlanta, Atlanta North, Chattanooga, Covington, Macon, Savannah, or Tallahassee OHO locations. Call the SSA at 800-325-0778 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, to get contact information for your closest field office or use Social Security's field office locator.

Georgia Rehabilitation Services

The State of Georgia offers rehabilitation services through its Department of Labor (DOL). DOL provides assistance to disabled individuals to help them reach their maximum level of independence. For more information, see the Rehabilitative Services website.

Georgia Disability Attorneys

If you need assistance winning your disability claim, visit our Georgia disability lawyers' page to find a local attorney who can help you.

_{Updated September 30, 2019}