Phoenix Arizona

Applying for Disability Claims in Phoenix Arizona

There are 3 ways of applying for disability in Phoenix, Maricopa County Arizona:

• Online application for Social Security Disability Insurance at www.ssa.gov/pgm/disability.htm
• On the phone 800-772-1213 (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and 800-325-0778 for those with a hearing impairment.
• At the nearest social security offices near you. If you are in phoenix there are two offices; phoenix north office at 16241 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite B, Phoenix, AZ 85032 and Phoenix downtown at Suite 100, 250 N Seventh Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85007.

After Application

Your disability application is forwarded to the Disability Determination Service (DDS) which is run by Arizona’s Department of Economic Security. The DDS assesses your application for qualification on medical and other grounds. The DDS office is located at 4000 North Central Avenue, Suite 1800, Phoenix, AZ 85012

How Much Will You Get?

If you have no source of income, you will get $698 in Supplementary Security Income (SSI). This will be less if you have any countable income. Unfortunately, Arizona does not supplement what you get from the federal social security.

Can You Appeal?

If the DDS disqualifies your application, it is possible to make an appeal. The appeal will have 4 stages:

1. Reconsideration

You will have 60 days within which to make a filing for reconsideration to the DDS. Your appeal will be assigned to a different claims examiner

2. Hearing

If your reconsideration appeal has been rejected, you can apply for a hearing. This is handled by the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). The hearing is headed by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) at the nearest office. In phoenix, it is at 3737 North 7th Street, Siete Square, Suite 200, Phoenix, Arizona 85014.

3. Appeals Council

If the ODAR hearing turns down your appeal you can appeal to the higher Appeals Council within 60 days. The AC will reverse the ALJ’s ruling, or recommend the review of specific evidence by the ALJ, or refuse your appeal.

4. Federal Court

This is your last avenue of appeal. You can file an appeal at the federal court in Phoenix.

How Long Does it Take?

The initial application takes 3 to 6 months. An appeal takes up to 331 days to get a hearing. If there are more appeals, the entire appeals chain would take over 2 ½ years to complete.

How Much Will it Cost?

For a better representation, it is advisable to seek the services of legal counsel. There are several legal firms that do pro bono (volunteer) work that can help you with your appeals.  You can quicken access to your medical records by paying a fee to medical health providers.