Written by:
Linda Cosme – Vice President of Disability Policy & Strategy, Citizens Disability
Florida Social Security Disability Claims
When a medical condition or other disability prevents you from working, you may be entitled to Social Security benefits that can help you cover some of your living expenses. If you’re applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits in Florida, you’ll want to do it right the first time.
Unfortunately, Florida experiences a high volume of disability applicants and has lower-than-average approval rates. An experienced Florida SSDI lawyer can guide you through the application process and help strengthen your case if your initial claim is denied.
How To Apply for Social Security Disability in Florida
You must follow a specific process to apply for disability in Florida. SSDI is available to eligible people with physical and/or mental conditions that prevent them from engaging in sustainable work. To apply for disability, you need to follow these steps:
1. Determine if you are eligible for SSDI or SSI.
The Social Security Administration has strict eligibility criteria for SSDI benefits. You must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity for at least a year or have a disability that is expected to result in your death. You must also have sufficient work credits to qualify for SSDI. If you don’t have enough work credits, it’s possible that you would be able to collect Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, instead.
2. Gather the evidence to support your claim.
You will increase your chances of getting a disability claim approval if you gather all the information necessary to support your claim. This includes things like your work history, medical records, and any statements from medical practitioners, co-workers, or others that can substantiate how your injury or illness limits your ability to work and care for yourself.
3. File your claim with the SSA.
To file an application, you must provide information about your work history, education, medical conditions, and treatment for those conditions. You have several options for applying for SSDI benefits—online, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or in person at one of the many field offices.
4. Wait for the response.
Unfortunately, the SSA can take a while to decide a claim. You can expect to wait up to eight months to hear back. According to the SSA’s latest figures, the average processing time for a claim is 232 days.
5. File an appeal if necessary.
If your initial request isn’t approved, you have the right to appeal the decision. It’s advisable to hire an attorney to guide you through this process.
Florida SSDI Eligibility Requirements
When you apply for SSDI benefits, the SSA will review your work and medical history to confirm your eligibility. You may qualify for benefits if you meet the following criteria:
- You have worked at least five of the last 10 years in jobs for which you paid FICA taxes.
- You are at least 21 and have not reached full retirement age.
- You have a medical or mental health condition that prevents you from working for at least 12 months or is expected to be terminal.
- Your condition meets the SSA’s definition of a disability.
Any medical condition that prevents you from working can qualify for disability. However, the SSA has a list of qualifying conditions that meet the agency’s definition of a disability. Among these are conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, HIV, and diabetes mellitus. Even if your condition is on this list of impairments, you must meet certain criteria for your claim to get approved.
If you are receiving Florida SSI benefits, the SSA limits the total amount you can receive monthly. As of 2025, the applicant must earn $2,019 or less to qualify for benefits, and the maximum amount an applicant can receive for SSI is $967 per month. If you are already on SSI and are disabled, you may be entitled to additional benefits if you are eligible. A qualified attorney can tell you more about your rights and options.
Where To Apply for Disability in Florida
Whether you apply for SSDI benefits in person in Florida or online, you might need to deal with your local field office at some point during the process. Here is a list of the Florida Social Security offices and their phone numbers:
Belle Glade
925 Se 1st St
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Phone Number: (855) 257-0983
Boca Raton
621 Nw 53 St Ste 400
Boca Raton, FL 33487
Phone Number: (877) 467-1703
Bradenton
5540 Sr 64 East Ste 100
Bradenton, FL 34208
Phone Number: (877) 803-6316
Clearwater
2340 Drew St
Clearwater, FL 33765
Phone Number: (888) 397-5325
Cocoa
310 Canaveral Groves
Cocoa, FL 32926
Phone Number: (866) 964-0798
Dade City
36630 Adair Rd
Dade City, FL 33525
Phone Number: (866) 562-1325
Deland
1629 S Adelle Ave
Deland, FL 32720
Phone Number: (866) 964-7396
Fort Myers
Suite 25 4220 Executive Circle
Fort Myers, FL 33916
Phone Number: (888) 318-9114
Fort Walton Beach
111B Racetrack Rd Nw
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Phone Number: (866) 331-2194
Ft Lauderdale
3201 W Commercial Blvd Ste 100
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone Number: (877) 253-4720
Gainesville
4562 Nw 13 St
Gainesville, FL 32609
Phone Number: (877) 219-8323
Hialeah
6500 W 21 Court
Hialeah, FL 33016
Phone Number: (866) 269-4250
Jacksonville
1685 Dunn Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32218
Phone Number: (866) 635-0789
Jacksonville
7185 Bentley Rd Ste 1
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Phone Number: (877) 409-8424
Kissimmee
1201 E Oak St
Kissimmee, FL 34744
Phone Number: (866) 614-4754
Lake City
1348 Sw Bascom Norris
Lake City, FL 32025
Phone Number: (877) 600-2859
Lake Mary
Suite 2001 101 Commerce St
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Phone Number: (866) 964-7379
Lakeland
550 Commerce Dr
Lakeland, FL 33813
Phone Number: (877) 604-9387
Leesburg
900 N 14Th St Ste 100
Leesburg, FL 34748
Phone Number: (866) 836-3623
Margate
5195 Coconut Creek Pky
Margate, FL 33063
Phone Number: (866) 704-4856
Marianna
4125 Jireh Court
Marianna, FL 32448
Phone Number: (888) 397-4815
Melbourne
1715 W Nasa Blvd
Melbourne, FL 32901
Phone Number: (866) 716-7667
Miami
11100 SW 211 St
Miami, FL 33189
Phone Number: (866) 964-6593
Miami
11401 W Flagler St
Miami, FL 33174
Phone Number: (866) 331-7129
Miami
1251 Nw 36Th St Ground Fl
Miami, FL 33142
Phone Number: (877) 405-0469
Miami
16900 Nw 12 Ave
Miami, FL 33169
Phone Number: (866) 331-2231
Miami
3663 Sw 8th St 1st Floor
Miami, FL 33135
Phone Number: (877) 714-0373
Miami
8345 Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33138
Phone Number: (877) 405-0468
Miami
Beach 1801 Alton Rd Ste 200
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone Number: (877) 714-0374
Naples
2659 Professional Cir Ste 1114
Naples, FL 34119
Phone Number: (888) 294-0161
New Port Richey
7601 Little Rd Ste 102 New
Port Richey, FL 34654
Phone Number: (866) 593-5679
Ocala
933 E Silver Spgs Blvd
Ocala, FL 34470
Phone Number: (877) 626-9911
Orlando
5520 Gatlin Ave Ste 101
Orlando, FL 32812
Phone Number: (866) 964-6146
Panama City
3215 Hwy 77
Panama City, FL 32405
Phone Number: (866) 348-5833
Pembroke Pines
12249 Pembroke Rd
Pembroke Pines, FL 33025
Phone Number: (866) 613-3962
Pensacola
411 W Garden St
Pensacola, FL 32502
Phone Number: (877) 505-4550
Plantation
8501 W Sunrise Blvd Ste 100
Plantation, FL 33322
Phone Number: (866) 331-9093
Port Charlotte
1600 Tamiami Trail Ste 200
Port Charlotte, FL 33948
Phone Number: (877) 405-0490
Port Orange
4990 S Clyde Morris Blvd
Port Orange, FL 32127
Phone Number: (866) 210-8089
Port St Lucie
6810 S Us Hwy 1
Port St Lucie, FL 34952
Phone Number: (866) 366-1627
Sarasota
2001 Siesta Dr Ste 301
Sarasota, FL 34239
Phone Number: (888) 327-1206
Sebring
3700 Commercial Dr
Sebring, FL 33870
Phone Number: (877) 405-0415
Seffner
2027 S Parsons Ave
Seffner, FL 33584
Phone Number: (866) 593-8721
St Augustine
2428 Old Moultrie Rd
St Augustine, FL 32086
Phone Number: (877) 405-5867
St Petersburg
30 Dr. Mlk St S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone Number: (866) 613-3965
Tallahassee
2002 Old St Augustine Ste B12
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone Number: (866) 248-2088
Tampa
3415 E Frontage Rd
Tampa, FL 33607
Phone Number: (866) 331-2317
Tampa
4010 Gunn Highway Ste 100
Tampa, FL 33618
Phone Number: (855) 433-5873
Venice
1435 E Venice Ave 114
Venice, FL 34292
Phone Number: (888) 676-2944
Vero Beach
724 20Th St
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Phone Number: (866) 964-7414
West Palm Beach
801 Clematis St Ste 2
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone Number: (866) 783-7339
Winter Haven
1395 Nw Havendale Blvd
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone Number: (877) 457-1739
The standard hours for these offices are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you’ve decided to apply for Florida disability benefits but can’t get a hold of anyone, our SSDI advocates would be happy to assist.
How Much Does SSDI Pay in Florida?
In 2024, roughly 478,400 Florida residents were collecting SSDI benefits. The amounts varied based on their earnings history and other factors. For example, four percent of recipients collected less than $600 per month, with 21.3 percent receiving between $1,200 and $1,499.90 monthly. The average monthly benefit for Floridians was $1,578.85, and the median was $1,448.00.
SSDI payments can vary based on various factors, such as your average indexed monthly earnings, or AIME, and other income you may be collecting. Our SSDI calculator can help give a more accurate estimate of your Florida SSDI benefits.
How Long Does It Take To Get Disability in Florida?
When you’re struggling to pay your monthly bills due to a disabling condition, SSDI approval and payments take on a sense of urgency. Unfortunately, many people wait months for a decision on their initial applications and appeals.
According to research by USAFacts, the estimated application processing time for new applicants nationwide in 2023 ranged between 218 and 225 days. Average wait times per office can also vary. For example, people waiting on a hearing date in Fort Myers might have to wait six months, while those in Miami will have to wait eight months or longer.
Filing a Disability Reconsideration in Florida
If your SSDI application is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision if you believe the denial was in error. The Florida disability appeal process offers multiple levels of appeals, including reconsideration, a hearing, and additional legal reviews.
The denial of your claim could be based on technical issues, such as earning too much money to qualify, or medical issues, such as questions about having a qualifying medical condition. You have 60 days upon receipt of your denial to file an SSDI appeal, so you must act quickly. Fortunately, most SSDI approvals happen during the appeals process.
When you file for reconsideration, you are asking the SSA to take another look at your application and reconsider the denial. They might change their mind, and you’ll begin collecting SSDI. If they deny your claim, you can appeal again and request a disability hearing.
Most denials happen because the SSA doesn’t believe you’ve proved that you have a qualifying medical condition. If this is the reason for your denial, it’s important that you state your case clearly in your appeals letter and provide additional and relevant evidence to support your claim.
If you have a disability lawyer, they can guide your appeals process and give you the best possible chance at success. For example, your attorney can help you understand what challenges are standing in the way of your approval and how to overcome them.
Disability Hearings in Florida
If you opt for a disability hearing, it can be a long process. The SSA aims to have disability hearings and decisions completed within two years of the request date. Some claims resolve quicker, but this will vary depending on the hearing location and circumstances of your case.
Hearings on Florida Social Security Disability claims aren’t like typical courtroom proceedings. Instead, they are usually held in conference rooms, where the judge can ask questions and witnesses can testify. However, they are still formal legal proceedings, so it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your team who can try to guide your case toward a favorable resolution.
Even if your case seems simple on the surface, you could benefit from the assistance of an experienced Florida disability lawyer. We can connect you with an experienced Florida SSDI lawyer who understands the SSA’s requirements and knows what it takes to get your application approved. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.
- Free case evaluation
- Assist with denied claims
- Ensure you have all documents
- Make the process easy for you
Written by:
Linda Cosme – Vice President of Disability Policy & Strategy, Citizens Disability
“Professionalism at its best. From intake to getting my claim started, they are the ones you need. 100% recommend to everyone.”
Pablo P.
“Having never gone through this process before, it was very easy and straightforward. VERY professional and polite.”
Alan A.
“I had a great experience with my representative. She was very friendly and she made the process very easy. I’m glad I had the pleasure to work with her in filing my claim. She provided great customer service.”
Dana C.
“I was very nervous about reaching out for help with disability benefits. This experience was so much easier than what I thought it would be. They were understanding and supportive, and answered all of my questions. I would highly recommend them.”
Alice P.
“One of the best customer service experiences I have ever had. Patient and kind and couldn’t of made my experience better. Thank you for all the help.”
Jama M.
“I was very pleased and impressed by the advocate. I feel that my chances of receiving my disability benefits are more likely to come in a timely manner.”
Danny C.
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“Professionalism at its best. From intake to getting my claim started, they are the ones you need. 100% recommend to everyone.”
Pablo P.
“Having never gone through this process before, it was very easy and straightforward. VERY professional and polite.”
Alan A.
“I had a great experience with my representative. She was very friendly and she made the process very easy. I’m glad I had the pleasure to work with her in filing my claim. She provided great customer service.”
Dana C.
“I was very nervous about reaching out for help with disability benefits. This experience was so much easier than what I thought it would be. They were understanding and supportive, and answered all of my questions. I would highly recommend them.”
Alice P.
“One of the best customer service experiences I have ever had. Patient and kind and couldn’t of made my experience better. Thank you for all the help.”
Jama M.
“The person I spoke with was very knowledgeable and very thorough with answering all of my questions and making sure all my information was correct. He was very patient, kind, and was very helpful. I wasn’t sure if I would qualify, and he checked and took all of my information. The process was made very easy, thank you so much for your help.”
Patrice I.