According to the CDC, one in every four adults in North Carolina has a disability. That is equivalent to 30% of the population, much higher than the national average.
About 12% of disabled residents have mobility issues, another 11% have cognitive problems, and many others have difficulty with independent living, vision, and self-care.
These disabled adults are disproportionately at risk of other health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Fortunately, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is designed to help eligible individuals cover their expenses.
If you live with a disability in North Carolina, you may wonder how to access these SSDI benefits. Read on to learn about Social Security local to North Carolina and how to qualify for these benefits.
How Do I Qualify for Social Security Benefits in North Carolina?
SSDI benefits are available to North Carolina residents who meet the eligibility criteria. To qualify for SSDI benefits in North Carolina, you must have an eligible disabling condition and enough work credits.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) describes a disability as a severe long-term condition that can affect your ability to work for at least 12 months or result in death.
The SSA even has a list of medical conditions that it considers severe enough to affect you in this manner. You can check the list to be sure you meet this medical criterion before applying for benefits.
Secondly, you must have enough work credits to qualify for disability. To earn work credits, you must have worked for some time and paid Social Security taxes.
A person needs 40 work credits, half earned within the last ten years. However, your age when filing for disability will determine the number of work credits required to qualify for benefits.
Remember, SSDI does not cover short-term disabilities. Instead, a disabled person who can work in some capacity can explore other North Carolina Social Services such as workers’ compensation and insurance, among others.
How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits in North Carolina?
There are three main ways of applying for SSD benefits in North Carolina. The easiest method is to apply online on the SSA website. You will be prompted to fill out a form and submit it electronically.
If you do not have access to the online application, you may contact the SSA hotline at (800) 772-1213 to apply. Phone applications can only be made on weekdays, between 7 am and 7 pm.
Those who prefer in-person applications can visit their local Social Security Field offices to apply. North Carolina has 26 field offices– find one closest to you from the list below to apply.
A successful application requires additional documentation and evidence to support your disability. Prepare these documents beforehand to avoid the rush when applying for SSDI.
Your personal information may also be required, so be ready to share it. Have copies of your marriage or divorce certificate, military records, medical records, and your North Carolina Social Security number.
What Happens After I Apply for Social Security Benefits in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Social Security Administration will receive your duly submitted application. They will then send it to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office for a thorough evaluation of whether you meet the criteria.
Generally, the DDS is the agency responsible for disability determinations in North Carolina. The DDS will begin by reviewing your medical records and sending you to an independent doctor for a medical examination.
The doctor will prepare a detailed report showing the severity of your medical condition and how it limits you from working. After reviewing all relevant information, the DDS will decide whether you are disabled or not.
If they consider you disabled, you will receive a mail notice informing you how much you will receive in benefits and when to expect your first payment. If found not disabled, the agency will deny your application.
Appealing a Denial for Social Security Benefits in North Carolina
North Carolina has a low initial approval rating which could explain why some disabled residents don’t file for SSDI benefits. The state has an average approval rating of 33%, compared to the 35% national average.
Thankfully, there is a legal process in place for appealing a denial. Here are the four stages of appeals:
Reconsideration: You may request a reconsideration within 60 days of receiving your denial letter. At the reconsideration, a new DDS representative will review your case to establish whether any errors occurred when making the initial decision.
Disability Hearing- If the reconsideration also results in a denial, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). The judge will ask for additional documents and witnesses to substantiate your claim.
Appeals council- If you are still not approved at the disability hearing, you may ask for a review from the Social Security Appeals Council. The Council will either deny your case based on the decisions made in the previous levels or return your case to the ALJ for a new hearing.
Federal court review- If the appeals court fails to review your case, you can file a lawsuit at the federal district court. This is your last option because any decision made here is final.
If you are denied SSDI benefits in North Carolina, speak to an experienced disability lawyer about your legal options. A lawyer will help you gather the documents and evidence you need to prove your disability.
North Carolina SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Average Approval Rate
North Carolina is in Region 4 (Atlanta), which services Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
There are four SSA Offices of Hearing Operations in North Carolina, which take an average of 11 months to schedule a hearing date. This hearing wait time is much shorter than the national average.
The average approval rate of the Appeal Hearing in North Carolina is equally impressive. North Carolina’s administrative law judges approve 56% of applications, above the 51% national average.
Remember, your chances of being approved for benefits are even higher when you have legal counsel at the hearing. Do not face the administrative law judge alone- let an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer represent you.
How Do I Contact the North Carolina Social Security Office Near Me?
Below is a list of North Carolina Social Security Offices that address all SSDI concerns. You can visit or call the nearest office if you need help with applying for Social Security disability benefits or want to know the status of your application.
SSA Field Office |
Physical Address |
Phone Number |
| Charlotte SSA Office | 2201 Coronation Blvd Ste 100 Charlotte, NC 28227 |
(888) 383-1598 |
| Salisbury SSA Office | 1840 Jake Alexndr Bl W Salisbury, NC 28147 |
(877) 405-3157 |
| Raleigh SSA Office | 4701 Old Wake Forest Rd Raleigh, NC 27609 |
(877) 803-6311 |
| Asheville SSA Office | 800 Centre Park Drive Asheville, NC 28805 |
(866) 572-8361 |
| Winston Salem SSA Office | 1370 Lockland Ave Winston Salem, NC 27103 |
(877) 402-0828 |
| Greensboro SSA Office | 6005 Landmark Ctr Blvd Greensboro, NC 27407 |
(877) 319-3075 |
| Rocky Mount SSA Office | 1071 Hunter Hill Rd Rocky Mount, NC 27804 |
(866) 964-0784 |
| Wilmington SSA Office | 1528 S 16th St Wilmington, NC 28401 |
(866) 964-6227 |
| Durham SSA Office | 3511 Shannon Rd Suite 200 Durham, NC 27707 |
(888) 759-3908 |
| Goldsboro SSA Office | 915 W New Hope Road Goldsboro, NC 27534 |
(866) 964-7372 |
| Fayetteville SSA Office | 145 Rowan St Fayetteville, NC 28301 |
(866) 964-6485 |
| Hickory SSA Office | 1501 Us Highway 321 NW Hickory, NC 28601 |
(888) 877-1615 |
| Gastonia SSA Office | 609 Cotton Blossom Cir Gastonia, NC 28054 |
(866) 331-2193 |
| New Bern SSA Office | 1420 McCarthy Blvd New Bern, NC 28562 |
(888) 491-1885 |
| Greenville SSA Office | 2805 Charles Blvd Greenville, NC 27858 |
(866) 494-4001 |
| Elizabeth City SSA Office | 1865 W City Dr Elizabeth City, NC 27909 |
(866) 572-2819 |
| Lumberton SSA Office | 4430 Kahn Dr Lumberton, NC 28358 |
(866) 931-7099 |
| Wilkesboro SSA Office | 1517 River St Wilkesboro, NC 28697 |
(866) 331-2298 |
| Roanoke Rapids SSA Office | 833 Gregory Drive Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 |
(866) 269-2010 |
| Statesville SSA Office | 2038 Davie Ave Statesville, NC 28625 |
(855) 722-3497 |
| Rockingham SSA Office | 220 E Greene St Rockingham, NC 28379 |
(877) 405-7673 |
| Kinston SSA Office | 2559 N Queen Street Kinston, NC 28501 |
(866) 593-5671 |
| Concord SSA Office | 830 Florence St NW Concord, NC 28027 |
(888) 366-6149 |
| Albemarle SSA Office | 202 Charter St Brookwood Executive Pk Albemarle, NC 28001 |
(866) 319-8268 |
| Franklin SSA Office | 2123 Lakeside Dr Franklin, NC 28734 |
(866) 562-0738 |
| Hendersonville SSA Office | 205 S Grove Street Hendersonville, NC 28792 |
(866) 964-5053 |
| Smithfield SSA Office | 633 Venture Dr Smithfield, NC 27577 |
(888) 527-9331 |
| Whiteville SSA Office | 204 S Lee St Whiteville, NC 28472 |
(877) 779-7257 |
| Wilson SSA Office | 1911 Westwood Ave W Wilson, NC 27893 |
(866) 366-5804 |
| Shelby SSA Office | 707 Schenck St Shelby, NC 28150 |
(877) 405-3576 |
| Sanford SSA Office | 401 Tiffany Dr Sanford, NC 27330 |
(877) 319-5774 |
| Henderson SSA Office | 858 S Beckford Dr Henderson, NC 27536 |
(877) 628-6584 |
| Reidsville SSA Office | 2402 Freeway Dr Reidsville, NC 27320 |
(866) 748-2091 |
| Mt Airy SSA Office | Griffith Parkway 1187 North Andy Mount Airy, NC 27030 |
(866) 587-4418 |
| Washington SSA Office | 1633 John Small Ave Washington, NC 27889 |
(866) 574-2589 |
| Ahoskie SSA Office | 1231 1St St W Ahoskie, NC 27910 |
(866) 828-3810 |
| Asheboro SSA Office | 157 Dublin Square Rd Suite K Asheboro, NC 27203 |
(888) 472-6119 |
Get Legal Help Applying for Social Security Benefits in North Carolina
The process of filing for Social Security disability benefits is complex and time-consuming. You must complete the required forms on time and gather enough medical evidence to support your claim.
Only an experienced disability lawyer can help you complete an error-free application and prepare all required documentation.
At Legal Giant, we have helped many disabled residents apply for SSD benefits. Our North Carolina SSD lawyers understand the application and appeals process and can guide you throughout the case.
Contact us to speak to a local North Carolina Social Security disability lawyer today.
