Social Security offices and the Savannah hearing office

Where a claim goes

A claim passes through more than one office. The local Social Security office takes the application and handles questions about benefits. A state agency makes the first decision and the reconsideration decision. If the claim is denied twice, a hearing before an administrative law judge is held through a hearing office. Hearing offices are separate from the local offices, and each covers a region. See how a claim works for all five stages.

Local Social Security offices

These offices serve the Savannah hearing office region.

• Savannah — (866) 366-4923
• Statesboro — (866) 748-2088
• Brunswick — (866) 964-6563
• Waycross — (877) 405-3578
• Vidalia — 104 W. 3rd Street, Vidalia, GA 30474; (866) 931-2518; open intermittently. See Vidalia and Toombs County.

Hinesville has no Social Security office of its own (see Hinesville and Fort Stewart); claimants there generally use the Savannah, Statesboro, or Brunswick office, depending on convenience. Many services require an appointment. The hours and exact location of each office are on Social Security's office locator.

The Savannah hearing office

The Savannah hearing office is where administrative law judges hear disability appeals for southeast Georgia.

At a hearing, the judge takes testimony from the claimant, often questions a vocational expert about the work a person could still do, and decides the claim on the full record. Hearings may be held in person, by video, or by telephone. Preparation before the hearing — complete medical records, treating-provider statements, and a plan for the vocational testimony — is where representation does the most.

Representation across the region

Representation is available for claims throughout southeast Georgia, whichever office filed the claim and whichever hearing format applies. Meetings can be held in person in Savannah or by telephone. The first review is free; see fees.

Claims from Hinesville, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Statesboro, Brunswick, Waycross, Vidalia, and the surrounding counties are handled the same way as claims from Savannah.