Virginia Beach Social Security Disability Lawyer

In Virginia Beach, VA social security disability provides monthly payments to people who can’t work due to a medical condition. You must meet medical requirements and have enough work credits. Most initial applications are denied, but you can appeal. The process often takes months or years, and legal help can improve your chances at each stage.

As a Social Security Disability firm serving clients in Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads and throughout Virginia, Gillette Law Group, PLLC, understands how the system works and helps people navigate this complex process.

How Social Security Disability Works

The Social Security Administration runs two programs for people who can’t work.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly payments to people who have a disability that stops or limits their ability to work. You need enough work history to qualify. The amount needed for a work credit changes each year. In 2025, you earn one credit for each $1,810 in wages or self-employment income. You can earn up to four credits per year.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources. SSI doesn’t require work history. Some people qualify for both programs at once.

The definition of disability is strict. Generally, you must have worked for at least five of the last 10 years to qualify for Disability. Younger workers may need fewer credits.

The Application and Appeals Process

You can apply for disability benefits online or by calling the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration sends your application to your state’s Disability Determination Services (DDS). Medical professionals and disability specialists review your case.

SSDI benefits have a five-month waiting period, which means benefit payments will not begin before the sixth full month of disability. There’s no waiting period for ALS. SSI disability benefits begin the first full month after the date you filed your claim or the date you become eligible.

Many applications are denied initially. The final award rate for disabled-worker applicants has varied over time, averaging 31 percent for claims filed from 2010 through 2019. The most common nonmedical reason for denying a claim is an insufficient number of recent work credits.

If denied, you can request reconsideration. That’s when DDS reviews your case again. If denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This is often where approval rates improve.

What SSA office handles Virginia Beach, VA, social security disability claims and appeals?

1. Local SSA Field Office (Initial Claims & Administration)

The local Social Security Administration (SSA) Field Office handles your initial application and non-medical requirements (like checking your work history) and processes payments if your claim is approved.

• Office: SSA Field Office: Virginia Beach
• Address: 2875 Sabre Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23452
• National Phone (Toll-Free): 1-800-772-1213
• Local Phone: 1-833-912-2318 (or 1-888-377-5237)
• Hours: Generally Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Calling ahead or using the national line for appointments is highly recommended).

2. Disability Determination Services (DDS) (Medical Review)

The Virginia Disability Determination Services (DDS) is a state agency that determines the medical eligibility for your initial claim and the first appeal (reconsideration). Virginia Beach is served by the Tidewater District Office.

• Office: Virginia DDS Tidewater District Office
• Address: 5850 Lake Herbert Dr., Suite 200, Norfolk, VA 23502-2237
• Toll-Free Phone (General DDS Line for claims status): 1-855-445-3938
• Local Phone: 1-757-466-4300
• Fax: 1-757-455-3829

3. Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) (Appeals/Hearings)

If your claim is denied by the DDS, the next step is to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is handled by the OHO, and Virginia Beach claims are routed to the Norfolk Hearing Office.

• Office: SSA Office of Hearings Operations (OHO): Norfolk Hearing Office
• Address: 5850 Lake Herbert Drive, 3rd Floor, Norfolk, VA 23502
• Toll-Free Phone: 1-866-931-9167
• eFile Fax (for representatives): 1-877-871-1879
• Hours: Generally 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Call to confirm).

What Affects Your Approval

Several factors influence whether you get approved.

Your medical condition must be severe. The SSA keeps a list of conditions it considers disabling. You need strong medical evidence showing how your condition limits your ability to work. Missing medical records or incomplete documentation often lead to denials.

Your work history matters for SSDI. You must have earned enough credits and worked recently enough. Your age can also play a role. The number of work credits you need to be eligible for disability benefits depends on your age when your disability begins.

For SSI, your income and resources must fall below certain limits. Your monthly payment depends on your income, living situation, things you own, and other factors.

Top rated social security disability attorney Brian Gillette has helped many people in Virginia Beach gather the right evidence and present their cases effectively. He knows what the SSA looks for at each stage.

Supporting Data

About 31% of disabled-worker applications filed from 2010 through 2019 resulted in awards, according to the Social Security Administration’s Annual Statistical Report. This means most people face at least one denial before getting approved.

The approval rate varies by stage. Initial applications face the highest denial rates. The reconsideration stage also has low approval rates. The hearing stage before an administrative law judge typically shows higher approval rates.

These statistics show why having help matters. Legal representation can address the specific reasons for denial and strengthen your case for appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does the disability process take?

A: Disability decisions can take several months. If you need to appeal to the hearing stage, it can take a year or more. The timeline depends on how complex your case is and how backed up the system is.

Q: Can I work while receiving disability benefits?

A: There are limits. Generally, you must have a condition that affects your ability to work. The SSA has rules about substantial gainful activity. Some work activity programs let you test your ability to work without losing benefits immediately.

Q:What if I get denied?

A: You have the right to appeal your disability claim denial. You must act quickly because there are strict deadlines. Most denials can be appealed through reconsideration, then to a hearing, and potentially to federal court.

Q: Do I need a lawyer to apply?

A: No, you don’t need a lawyer to apply for SSD, but it can help. Many people who get approved eventually had legal help during the appeals process. A lawyer can gather medical evidence, prepare you for hearings, and spot problems in your application before they cause a denial.

Key Points to Remember

Social Security Disability has two programs: SSDI for workers with enough credits and SSI for those with limited income.

Most initial applications are denied, but you can appeal multiple times.

Strong medical evidence is essential at every stage.

Work history, age, and the severity of your condition all affect your chances.

The process often takes months or years, and deadlines are strict.

Contact Gillette Law Group for Help With Your Social Security Disability Case

If you’ve been denied or need help applying, don’t face the system alone. The process is complex, but you don’t have to navigate it yourself.

Brian Gillette is a top-rated Social Security Disability attorney in Virginia. Call the Gillette Law Group at 855-873-2604 to schedule a consultation.