How Florida SSDI and SSI Benefits Work

If you live in Florida and you aren't able to work due to a medical disorder, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The state of Florida doesn't provide short-term disability benefits, so unless you have private disability insurance through your employer, you'll likely need to show that your health condition is severe enough to keep you from working any full-time job for at least one year.

Social Security administers two disability benefit programs—Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You may be eligible for SSDI if you have a qualifying work history and have paid enough in payroll taxes. SSI isn't based on work history, but you'll need to show that you have income and assets below a certain (low) threshold. The medical definition of disability is the same for both SSDI and SSI, however.

How Do I Apply for Social Security Disability in Florida?

You can apply for benefits in three different ways, depending on whether you're applying for SSI or SSDI.

Apply Online for SSDI

You can file for SSDI at Social Security's online portal. You'll need to provide important information when you apply, such as your Social Security number, previous addresses, and the names of current and previous (if applicable) spouses. You should also be ready to answer questions about your medical condition, including the name and treatment dates of your current doctors.

Go In Person to Your Local Social Security Field Office

Both SSDI and SSI applications are handled at Social Security field offices. Florida has almost 60 field offices in communities throughout the state. You may wish to apply in person if you need assistance reading and understanding the application. To find the field office nearest you, enter your zip code into the locator tool. Offices are generally open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Make sure to call ahead to see if you need to make an appointment.

Call the Social Security National Hotline to Speak With a Representative

You can file for SSDI and SSI over the telephone. If you live too far from your field office or if travel is difficult for you, it may be easier to apply by calling 800-772-1213 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and speaking with a representative from Social Security. (If you're deaf or hearing impaired, call the TTY number at 800-325-0778.) You'll need to provide your Social Security number to begin the application process.

Florida Division of Disability Determinations (DDD)

After Social Security receives your application and is satisfied that you meet the financial requirements for either disability benefit, your file will be sent to the Florida Division of Disability Determinations (DDD). DDD, which is run by the Florida Department of Health, is the state agency that makes the initial determinations about whether you're disabled.

You can find the contact information for the main DDD office below:

Department of Health
Division of Disability Determinations
P.O. Box 7118
Tallahassee, FL 32314-5270

Telephone: 850-488-4222 or 800-499-6590
Fax: 850-617-4978
Email: [email protected]

Claims examiners at the DDD review your medical records and determine whether you meet Social Security's definition of disability according to the agency's five-step sequential evaluation process. For fiscal year 2023, claims examiners in Florida approved about 40% of initial disability applications, around the national average.

Floridians who aren't approved on their first try can appeal within 60 days of receiving a denial letter. This level of the appeals process is called "reconsideration," and fewer claims are approved at this stage—only about 15%. But you'll need to request reconsideration before you can have a hearing with an administrative law judge, where your chances of winning improve.

Disability Hearings in Florida

Social Security's Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) is responsible for scheduling and conducting disability hearings. There are 9 OHOs that cover specific geographic regions for claims in Florida. (The Mobile, Alabama OHO hears cases for the Florida Panhandle.)

Contact Information for Florida OHOs

Your hearing will be scheduled with a judge assigned to an OHO that handles claims in the region where you live. If your hearing is in-person, you'll need to show up at the appropriate office at the date and time printed on your Notice of Hearing. You can find the contact information and geographic service area for the Florida OHOs below.

Fort Lauderdale OHO
Suite 200
300 S. Park Rd
Hollywood, FL 33021-8353

Telephone: 888-436-2637
Fax: 833-789-0409
eFile Fax: 877-760-0003

The Fort Lauderdale OHO services field offices in Belle Glade, Delray Beach, Ft. Lauderdale (East & West), Melbourne, North Broward, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie, South Broward, Sunrise, Vero Beach, and West Palm Beach.

Fort Myers OHO
2nd Floor, Suite 210
3650 Colonial Boulevard
Ft. Myers, FL 33966

Telephone: 888-462-1109
Fax: 833-702-0721
eFile Fax: 877-847-1596

The Fort Myers OHO services field offices in Fort Myers, Naples, and Port Charlotte.

Jacksonville OHO
Building 400, Suite 400
8880 Freedom Crossing Trail
Jacksonville, FL 32256

Telephone: 866-931-0124
Fax: 833-659-0423
eFile Fax: 877-760-0594

The Jacksonville OHO services field offices in Deland, Gainesville, Jacksonville (North), Jacksonville (South), Lake City, Port Orange, and St. Augustine.

Miami OHO
One Riverview Square, 8th Floor
333 S. Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33130

Telephone: 866-964-5052
Fax: 833-968-1652
eFile Fax: 877-330-7137

The Miami OHO services field offices in Allapattah, Hialeah, Key West, Little Havana, Little River, Miami Beach, Miami (North), Miami (South), Perrine, and Jackson Memorial Site.

Mobile OHO
Suite 200
550 Government Street
Mobile, AL 36602

Telephone: 866-563-4698
Fax: 833-968-1656
eFile Fax: 877-871-2433

The Mobile OHO services field offices in Ft. Walton Beach and Pensacola.

Orlando OHO
Glenridge Building, Suite 300
3505 Lake Lynda Drive
Orlando, FL 32817-8338

Telephone: 877-833-2730
Fax: 833-616-0130
eFile Fax: 877-330-7138

The Orlando OHO services field offices in Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Kissimmee, Lake Mary, Leesburg, Ocala, Orlando, and Titusville.

St. Petersburg OHO
2nd Floor
830 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Telephone: 877-452-4193
Fax: 833-956-1138
eFile Fax: 877-847-1597

The St. Petersburg OHO services field offices in Bradenton, Clearwater, New Port Richey, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Venice.

Tallahassee OHO
2nd Floor
1961 Quail Grove Lane
Tallahassee, FL 32311

Telephone: 888-472-5996
Fax: 833-953-2166
eFile Fax: 877-435-0334

The Tallahassee OHO services field offices in Marianna, Panama City, and Tallahassee.

Tampa OHO
Fountain Square II, Suite 200
4925 Independence Parkway
Tampa, FL 33634

Telephone: 855-248-0239
Fax: 833-789-0407
eFile Fax: 877-330-7844

The Tampa OHO services field offices in Carrollwood, Dade City, Lakeland, Sebring, Tampa, Valrico, and Winter Haven.

Wait Time and Disability Approval Statistics for Florida Hearings

The time you'll need to wait between when you request a hearing and when your hearing is conducted can vary considerably depending on which OHO is handling your claim. Likewise, the average percentage of favorable decisions (awarding benefits) issued depends on the office and the judge reviewing your case.

Here's a chart showing the average wait time and approval ratings for each of the OHOs in Florida, according to the most recent (2023-2024) data from Social Security.

Keep in mind that these above statistics are averages. There's no guarantee that you'll have your hearing in 8 months at the St. Petersburg OHO, for example, nor does the higher approval rating in the Mobile OHO mean that you have a 59% chance of winning your claim. All offices follow the federal Social Security rules and regulations for disability determinations, so your best strategy is to make your claim as strong as you can, no matter which OHO you're assigned to.

How SSI and Medicaid Work in Florida

The federal government will pay you SSI benefits of up to $942 per month in 2024, adjusted yearly to accommodate changes in the cost of living. States have the option to provide a supplemental payment to SSI recipients, so Florida provides a small supplement to people who receive SSI and live in an adult family care home or assisted living facility.

Disabled Floridians with low income and resources are likely also eligible for Medicaid coverage as well as food and housing assistance. For more information, visit the Public Benefits and Services page for the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Disability Rights Advocacy in Florida

In 1977, Congress established a network of disability rights organizations in response to the discovery of widespread abuse in assisted living or group homes. The Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system allows these organizations to investigate and pursue legal remedies when the rights of disabled people are infringed upon.

Disability Rights Florida is the designated P&A organization in the state. Although they don't provide representation at Social Security hearings, Disability Rights Florida can help with disputes involving Medicaid eligibility, employment accommodations, and other issues of accessibility. Contact information for the office is as follows:

Disability Rights Florida
2473 Care Drive, Suite 200
Tallahassee, FL 32308

Telephone: 800-342-0823 or 850-488-9071
Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD): 800-346-4127
Fax: 850-488-8640

You can also request legal assistance using the online intake form.

Do I Need an Attorney?

You're not required to have legal representation for your disability claim, but it can come in handy. An experienced disability attorney can help you collect and submit all the medical records you need and represent you at your disability appeal hearing. Most disability lawyers offer free consultations, so you might want to set one up to discuss your case. If you're not sure where to start looking, check out our article on how to find a good disability lawyer or browse the free attorney directories on Lawyers.com or Avvo.com, two sites that are part of the Nolo family.