According to the CDC, 11.5% of adults in Massachusetts has a disability. Unfortunately, only a fraction of these disabled residents receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and other state-administered compensation services.
About 4.5% of individuals with physical or developmental disabilities receive SSDI benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Others suffer from cognitive disabilities such as brain injury and autism, mobility issues, and hearing and visual issues.
Massachusetts spends about 37% of its healthcare resources on these disabilities. But are you eligible for these Massachusetts Social Services?
This post will discuss everything about Social Security local to Massachusetts and how to qualify for disability benefits.
How Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits in Massachusetts
Criteria for qualifying for disability benefits are the same across the U.S because SSDI is a federally funded program. But disability determination is done at the state level and so there may be a few exceptions between states.
Generally, SSDI benefits are reserved for individuals who have worked for a certain period and pay into the Social Security tax system.
Secondly, your disability must be “severe” enough. A severe disability, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA), limits you from working for at least a year or results in death.
The SSA has a list of conditions that you can check here. Your disability must appear on this list to qualify for benefits, so consult it before applying.
SSA must also determine that your disability cannot reasonably allow you to switch to another kind of job. If you can work, you will be automatically ineligible for disability benefits.
But the law protects you against disability discrimination, so your employer must make any reasonable accommodations to help you complete your tasks.
How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits in Massachusetts?
All SSDI applications must be made to your local Massachusetts Social Security office. You can either do this in person, over the phone or online.
You can apply online at the SSA website or call (800) 772-1213 for assistance over the phone. If you prefer an in-person application, visit your nearest local office to complete the forms.
There are 30 local Social Security Field offices in Massachusetts that can offer assistance. Check the list below to find one near you and call to make an appointment.
When applying for disability benefits, you must get your documents and evidence ready ahead of time to support your claim. These include:
- Personal information, including your Massachusetts Social Security number, permanent resident card, and vital information about you, your spouse, and minor children.
- Medical records relating to your disability and your doctor’s/clinic’s contact information.
- Past and current employment information.
What Happens After I Apply for Social Security Benefits in Massachusetts?
Disability benefits are provided through SSA. When you apply, a field representative at the Massachusetts SSA office will review your application to ensure all necessary information is available.
After this, the field representative will send your application to Disability Determination Services (DDS), a state agency that works under the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission.
A claims examiner at DDS will review your application thoroughly to determine if you qualify for benefits. They will start by gathering your medical records and sending them to your physician.
Your doctor will fill out a questionnaire detailing the severity of your condition. Make follow-ups to ensure your doctor completes the questionnaire on time.
Next, the claims examiner will seek the input of vocational experts. These will look at your work history and medical records to identify the jobs you can do despite the disabling illness.
After gathering this information, the claims examiner will revert to the DDS to decide whether or not you are disabled. If they find you disabled, you will start receiving your benefits from the SSA.
If they consider you not disabled, your application will be denied. But you have a chance to file an appeal if you disagree with the DDS decision.
Appealing a Denial for Social Security Benefits in Massachusetts
Massachusetts’ rate of disability claim approvals is greater than the national average. The state currently approves 41% of claims at the initial application.
While this sounds impressive, most applicants are denied benefits during their initial application. These individuals can appeal as soon as they receive a denial.
There are four levels of appeals:
Reconsideration: This is the first level of appeals where you ask a new claims examiner to review your application. You must file this request within 60 days of receiving a denial notice.
Disability adjudication: If your reconsideration was unfruitful, you could appeal before an administrative law judge within 60 days. You may be required to present supplementary documents and witnesses at the hearing to ascertain the severity of your condition.
Appeals council: Most appeals are approved at the hearing. The few applicants whose claims are denied could request Social Security Appeals Council to review previous decisions. This, too, must be done within 60 days of the prior denial.
District court: This is the final level of appeal. At this level, you file a lawsuit at a federal district court. Massachusetts has only one district court located in Boston.
Massachusetts SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Average Approval Rate
Massachusetts is in SSA’s Region 1, headquartered in Boston. This state has four official hearing offices.
The average approval rate at the hearing level in Massachusetts is much higher than the national average.
At the hearing level, Massachusetts approves 55% of claims at the hearing compared to the 45% national average. Your chances of approval increase even more if you have a disability lawyer.
However, the average wait time for a disability hearing in the state is 14 months. This wait time highlights the importance of having an experienced Social Disability lawyer represent you.
A disability attorney could get you an on-the-record decision without waiting for a hearing if you have strong evidence. Moreover, having a lawyer will increase your chances of being approved for benefits by 70%.
How Do I Contact the Massachusetts Social Security Office Near Me?
There are 30 Social Security Field offices that serve disabled adults with all their SSD needs in Massachusetts.
Below is a list of all Massachusetts Social Security offices. You can visit the local office near you or call them to ask about SSDI.
SSA Field Office |
Physical Address |
Phone Number |
| Boston SSA Office | 10 Causeway Street Room 148 Boston, MA 2222 |
(866) 964-7311 |
| Springfield SSA Office | 70 Bond Street Springfield, MA 1104 |
(866) 964-5061 |
| Cambridge SSA Office | 10 Fawcett St First Flr Cambridge, MA 2138 |
(888) 527-9340 |
| Roxbury SSA Office | 10 Malcolm X Blvd Roxbury, MA 2119 |
(855) 278-4195 |
| Lynn SSA Office | 140 Union Street Lynn, MA 1901 |
(866) 366-7792 |
| Lowell SSA Office | 151 Warren St Ste 300 Lowell, MA 1852 |
(877) 746-9850 |
| Worcester SSA Office | 51 Myrtle St Madison Place Worcester, MA 1608 |
(866) 331-9069 |
| Pittsfield SSA Office | 78 Center St Federal Bldg Suite 101 Pittsfield, MA 1201 |
(866) 446-7111 |
| New Bedford SSA Office | 53 North 6th Street Hastings Keith Fed Bld New Bedford, MA 2740 |
(866) 964-7413 |
| Brockton SSA Office | 30 Christy Dr Brockton, MA 2301 |
(888) 717-1524 |
| Fitchburg SSA Office | 881 Main St 1st Floor Philbin Fed Bldg Fitchburg, MA 1420 |
(877) 319-0728 |
| Lawrence SSA Office | 439 S Union St Suite 106A Lawrence, MA 1843 |
(877) 669-3127 |
| Fall River SSA Office | 400 North Main Street Fall River, MA 2720 |
(866) 964-3967 |
| Holyoke SSA Office | 200 High Street 2nd Floor Holyoke, MA 1040 |
(877) 480-4989 |
| Malden SSA Office | 192 Commercial St Malden, MA 2148 |
(866) 596-8598 |
| Salem SSA Office | 35 Congress St Suite 101 Salem, MA 1970 |
(866) 248-2394 |
| Quincy SSA Office | 1515 Hancock St Suite 305 Quincy, MA 2169 |
(866) 593-4392 |
| Dorchester SSA Office | 115 Freeport St Dorchester, MA 2122 |
(866) 931-2550 |
| Attleboro SSA Office | 106 Pleasant St Attleboro, MA 2703 |
(888) 655-6469 |
| Haverhill SSA Office | 367 Main St Haverhill, MA 1830 |
(866) 964-4324 |
| Waltham SSA Office | 135 Beaver Street Suite 120 Waltham, MA 2452 |
(877) 457-1737 |
| Norwood SSA Office | One Edgewater Drive Suite 102 Norwood, MA 2062 |
(866) 563-9533 |
| Framingham SSA Office | One Clarks Hill Suite 101 Framingham, MA 1702 |
(844) 587-1390 |
| Hyannis SSA Office | 100 Independence Dr Suite 4 Hyannis, MA 2601 |
(866) 467-0440 |
| Roslindale SSA Office | 4238 Washington St Roslindale, MA 2131 |
(866) 331-9173 |
| Taunton SSA Office | 104 Dean St Taunton, MA 2780 |
(877) 505-4546 |
| Hanover SSA Office | 198 Columbia Rd Ste 1 Hanover, MA 2339 |
(877) 444-6898 |
| Falmouth SSA Office | 48 Research Rd Technology Park East Falmouth, MA 2536 |
(855) 881-0212 |
| North Adams SSA Office | 96 Marshall Street North Adams, MA 1247 |
(877) 319-5709 |
| Gardner SSA Office | 354 Main St Suite 2 Gardner, MA 1440 |
(844) 371-8116 |
Get Legal Help Applying for Social Security Benefits in Massachusetts
If you have a disabling condition that prevents you from working, you may qualify for SSD benefits. But the application process is overwhelming and challenging, especially when dealing with a severe illness.
You don’t have to do this alone. A local Massachusetts Social Security Disability attorney can help you through the application process.
An experienced SSD lawyer will help you compile enough evidence and file your initial claim. If denied benefits, your lawyer will represent you through the appeals process.
At Legal Giant, we partner with the best disability attorneys in Massachusetts to ensure you get the benefits you deserve. Contact us to connect with a local SSD lawyer to help with your case.
