Chesapeake Social Security Disability Lawyer

Social Security Disability Insurance can provide monthly benefits to Chesapeake residents who can’t work because of a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months. You can apply online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. About one in three applicants receives approval, with many getting benefits after an appeal. The process can take several months, and decisions depend on your medical records and work history.

As a top-rated Social Security Disability law firm serving clients in Chesapeake, throughout Hampton Roads and Virginia, Gillette Law Group, PLLC, has helped many Chesapeake residents understand how these programs work and build strong claims.

How Social Security Disability Works

Social Security Disability Insurance helps workers who can no longer earn a living because of serious health problems. The program pays monthly benefits to people whose conditions prevent them from working.

To qualify, you must meet two basic requirements. First, you need enough work credits based on your job history. Most people need to have worked five out of the past 10 years. Second, your medical condition must be severe enough that you can’t do substantial work.

The Social Security Administration uses a strict definition of disability. Your condition must prevent you from doing any type of substantial work, not just your previous job. The illness or injury must last at least 12 months or be expected to result in death. There’s no such thing as partial disability under these rules.

Your monthly payment depends on your lifetime earnings. The program uses the same formula as retirement benefits. Most disabled workers received an average monthly benefit of around $1,500 in recent years, though individual amounts vary widely.

The Application Process in Virginia

You can start your application in several ways. The Social Security Administration’s online application lets you apply from home at any time. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule a phone interview. Visiting your local Social Security office in person is another option.

Your application asks about your medical conditions, treatments, and work history. You’ll need to provide names and contact information for your doctors and hospitals. The SSA will request your medical records directly from your healthcare providers. You should also gather information about your medications and any medical tests you’ve had.

After you submit your application, it goes to Virginia’s Disability Determination Services office. Medical experts at this state agency review your records and make the initial decision. They may ask you to attend an examination with one of their doctors if they need more information.

The waiting period for a decision varies. Initial applications often take three to five months. If you’re denied and request reconsideration, that adds another few months. An appeal to an administrative law judge can take over a year in many cases.

What SSA office handles Chesapeake, 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 application, non-medical requirements (like checking your work history), and processes payments if your claim is approved.

• Office: SSA Field Office: Chesapeake
• Address: 1530 Crossways Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23320
• National Phone (Toll-Free): 1-800-772-1213
• Local Phone: 1-866-563-7927
• Hours: Generally Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Calling ahead is recommended to confirm hours or schedule an appointment).

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

The Virginia Disability Determination Services (DDS) is a state agency that works with the SSA to determine the medical eligibility for your initial claim and the first appeal (Reconsideration). Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake 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
• Fax: 1-833-659-0420
• eFile Fax (for representatives): 1-877-871-1879

For claim status, filing appeals online, or other services, visit the SSA website or call ahead to schedule an appointment before appearing in person.​

This office serves applicants from Chesapeake for both initial claims and appeals. For assistance with paperwork, you may contact local disability lawyers who regularly represent claimants at this office.

Approval Rates and Appeals

According to Social Security Administration statistics, about 31% of disability applicants received approval between 2011 and 2020. At the initial application stage, roughly 21% of claims were approved. Another 2% got approved at reconsideration. About 8% received approval after a hearing before a judge.

These numbers mean that most people don’t get approved on their first try. Nearly two out of three initial applications end in denial. But many of these denials get overturned on appeal. The hearing stage has the highest success rate for claimants.

The reasons for denial vary. Some applications lack enough medical evidence. Others involve conditions that don’t meet the severity requirements. Technical reasons like earning too much money, also lead to denials. Understanding why claims get denied helps you avoid common mistakes.

Medical documentation is the most important factor. The SSA needs detailed records showing how your condition limits your daily activities. Generic doctor’s notes saying “disabled” won’t be enough. You need specific descriptions of what you can and can’t do physically or mentally.

Gillette Law Group understands how the system evaluates claims in Virginia. Brian Gillette has helped clients gather the right evidence and present their cases effectively throughout the appeals process.

Work Credits and Eligibility

You earn work credits by paying Social Security taxes through your job. Most people need 40 credits total, with 20 earned in the last 10 years. Younger workers may need fewer credits. You can earn up to four credits per year based on your earnings.

The work credit requirements depend on your age when you become disabled. Someone who becomes disabled at age 30 needs fewer credits than someone disabled at 50. This system recognizes that younger workers have had less time to build up credits.

If you don’t have enough work credits for Social Security Disability, you might qualify for Supplemental Security Income instead. SSI is a separate program for disabled people with limited income and resources. It doesn’t require any work history.

Common Medical Conditions

Social Security recognizes a wide range of disabling conditions. Diseases of the muscles and bones are the most common reason workers receive benefits. Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety also qualify many applicants. Heart disease, cancer, and neurological problems are other frequent bases for approval.

The SSA maintains a list of impairments that automatically meet their definition of disability. If your condition matches these listings exactly, you may get approved faster. But many people get approved even when their condition isn’t on the list. The key is showing that you can’t work because of your limitations.

Your age, education, and work experience matter too. Someone over 55 with limited education and a history of physical work may have an easier time qualifying. The SSA considers whether you could learn a new type of job given your background and limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to get approved for disability?

A: Initial decisions take three to five months on average. If you need to appeal to a hearing, the total time can stretch to 18 months or longer. The timeline varies based on how quickly your doctors respond with records and how backed up the system is in your area.

Q: Can I work while applying for disability?

A: You can work while your application is pending, but earning too much will disqualify you. In 2025, earning over $1,620 per month typically means you’re doing substantial work. The SSA will deny your claim if you’re working above this level when they review it.

Q: What happens if I’m denied?

A: You have 60 days to appeal a denial. The appeals process has several levels: reconsideration, hearing before a judge, appeals council review, and federal court. Most people who eventually win do so at the hearing stage. Getting help from someone who understands the system improves your chances.

Q: Do I need a lawyer to apply for disability?

A: You can apply on your own. However, statistics show that represented claimants win more often than those without help. An attorney can make sure your medical evidence is complete and present your case effectively at a hearing.

Key Points to Remember

• Social Security Disability requires you to have worked recently and be unable to do any substantial work for at least 12 months.
• Only about 21% of initial applications get approved, but appeals can overturn many denials.
• Strong medical evidence is critical. Your doctors need to document specific limitations, not just diagnoses.
• The process takes months. Apply as soon as you become unable to work to avoid delays in getting benefits.
• Your monthly payment amount depends on your lifetime earnings, not on the severity of your disability.

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

If you’re unable to work because of a medical condition, you don’t have to face the application process alone.

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