Florida Disability Benefits

If you’re a Florida resident and have a disability that keeps you from working, you may be eligible for disability benefits under the SSA federal programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Though both Social Security disability programs are administered at the federal government level, Florida’s Division of Disability Determinations is responsible for confirming medical eligibility for Florida citizens who apply for either benefit program.

This division also oversees periodic continuing disability reviews of all Social Security Administration disability beneficiaries to ensure that each person receiving Social Security disability benefits continues to meet all medical eligibility criteria for compensation.

Florida and Documented Disabilities

Nearly 5 million Florida adult residents report having documented disabilities of some kind, which represents roughly 28% of the state population. These adults also are more likely to be obese, to smoke, and to have heart disease and/or diabetes.

Together, these documented disabilities cost the state of Florida upwards of $53 billion in health care costs each year, representing 35 percent of Florida’s overall health care spending. This equates to roughly $15,000 in expenses each year for each disabled Florida resident.

How To Qualify for SSDI in Florida

Since SSDI is a federal program, all applicants must meet federal requirements for eligibility.

First, an applicant must meet non-medical eligibility criteria, which entails the person having worked a sufficient time to accrue an appropriate level of work credits through the SSA.

An applicant typically must have earned 40 credits to be SSDI eligible, 20 of which were earned during the most recent 10 years. You must also show a documented disabling condition that meets the SSA’s strict definition of total disability.

The SSA generally awards compensation benefits to those whose medical conditions prohibit them from working for at least one year, or whose conditions are terminal.

How To Apply for SSDI in Florida

In Florida, you may apply for Social Security benefits at any of the 54 local SSA field offices, or online at www.ssa.gov. Your application will then be forwarded to the Division of Disability Determinations for a decision regarding whether your disability meets the SSA’s strict definition. 

Your claim will likely be reviewed by a claims examiner and medical consultant working in partnership. If you are determined medically eligible, the claim then will be returned to the SSA to make a decision regarding your non-medical eligibility.

How To Appeal a Denial in Florida

Unfortunately, it’s common for initial claims to be denied in Florida. Though approval rates have risen in Florida over the last few years, they still only meet the national approval rate of roughly 30%.

If you disagree with the decision regarding your disability claim, you have the right to appeal. Many applicants choose to engage with a qualified disability attorney or disability advocate who can help guide them through the remaining stages of the process.

The first stage of the appeals process is to request reconsideration. In this phase, your disability claim will be reviewed by an examiner who did not participate in your original review. You may also submit any new evidence or documentation if you have it.

At this point, if your disability claim continues to be denied, you may request a disability hearing with an administrative law judge. 56% of appeals are won at this stage, which isn’t too surprising, considering it is the first chance a reviewer has to meet you and hear the full story of how your disability affects your life.

If you still receive an unfavorable disability determination after your disability hearing, your final option is to submit a request for appeal to the Social Security Appeals Council. The council will change the decision only if they believe your claim was adjudicated inappropriately.

More Florida Benefits

In addition to its SSDI benefits program, Florida administers other programs to help its most vulnerable residents, including those outlined below.

SSI

To qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in Florida, applicants must show proof of limited income and be either disabled, blind, or over 65 years of age.

Other SSI requirements include:

• Limited income or resources
• U.S. citizenship or legally authorized to live and work in the United States;
• Inability to work due to age or disability

Individual Florida residents can receive up to $771 as a monthly benefit through the SSI program. Additionally, Florida has chosen to increase supplemental disability payments to individuals living in community care programs or Medicaid facilities.

Florida Medicaid

Florida Medicaid is a state and federal partnership that provides health care coverage for low-income Florida residents.

Qualified applicants typically meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Florida resident
• U.S. citizen or legally authorized to live and work in the United States
• Income classified as low or very low

In addition, an applicant must show that one of the following is the case:

• The person is pregnant
• The person is responsible for a child 18 years old or younger
• The person is blind
• The person has a disability or lives with someone who has a disability
• The person is 65 years old or older

Medicaid services in the state of Florida are administered through the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration. Florida residents may apply online at www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.

Florida Unemployment

Unemployment insurance benefits in Florida are known throughout the state as reemployment assistance benefits. The program provides temporary financial assistance for Florida residents who have lost employment through no fault of their own.

To be eligible for Florida unemployment benefits, a Florida employee must have worked in Florida over the past 12 months and have earned a minimum amount in wages, as determined by Florida law.

Those who receive unemployment compensation must show that they are able to work and available for suitable work during each week they receive unemployment assistance. Interested applicants may submit an initial claim through CONNECT, Florida’s Reemployment Assistance System.

Florida Social Security Offices

SSA Field Office Locations in Florida
Lake City SSA Office	1348 SW Bascom Norris Lake City, FL 32025	(877) 600-2859
Port St Lucie SSA Office	6810 S US Hwy 1 Port St Lucie, FL 34952	(866) 366-1627
Clearwater SSA Office	2340 Drew Street Clearwater, FL 33765	(888) 397-5325
Leesburg SSA Office	900 N 14th Street Suite 100 Leesburg, FL 34748	(866) 836-3623
Deland SSA Office	1629 S Adelle Ave Deland, FL 32720	(866) 964-7396
South Broward SSA Office	12249 Pembroke Rd Pembroke Pines, FL 33025	(866) 613-3962
Perrine SSA Office	11100 SW 211 Street Miami, FL 33189	(866) 964-6593
Hialeah SSA Office	6500 W 21 Court Hialeah, FL 33016	(866) 269-4250
Jacksonville North SSA Office	1685 Dunn Ave Jacksonville, FL 32218	(866) 635-0789
Allapattah SSA Office	1251 NW 36th Street Ground Floor Miami, FL 33142	(877) 405-0469
Bradenton SSA Office	5540 SR 64 East Suite 100 Bradenton, FL 34208	(877) 803-6316
East Hillsborough SSA Office	2027 S Parsons Ave Seffner, FL 33584	(866) 593-8721
Lake Mary SSA Office	Suite 2001 101 Commerce St Lake Mary, FL 32746	(866) 964-7379
Jacksonville South SSA Office	7185 Bonneval Road Suite 1 Jacksonville, FL 32256	(877) 409-8424
Tampa SSA Office	3415 E Frontage Road Tampa, FL 33607	(866) 331-2317
Orlando SSA Office	5520 Gatlin Ave Suite 101 Orlando, FL 32812	(866) 964-6146
Lakeland SSA Office	550 Commerce Dr Lakeland, FL 33813	(877) 604-9387
Tallahassee SSA Office	2002 Old St Augustine Ste B-12 Tallahassee, FL 32301	(866) 248-2088
Pensacola SSA Office	411 W Garden Street Pensacola, FL 32502	(877) 505-4550
West Palm Beach SSA Office	801 Clematis Street Suite 2 West Palm Beach, FL 33401	(866) 783-7339
St Petersburg SSA Office	30 Dr Mlk St S St Petersburg, FL 33701	(866) 613-3965
Gainesville SSA Office	4562 NW 13 Street Gainesville, FL 32609	(877) 219-8323
Port Orange SSA Office	4990 S Clyde Morris Blvd Port Orange, FL 32127	(866) 210-8089
Ft Lauderdale East SSA Office	3201 W Commercial Blvd Suite 100 Ft Lauderdale, FL 33309	(877) 253-4720
Sarasota SSA Office	2001 Siesta Dr Suite 301 Sarasota, FL 34239	(888) 327-1206
Panama City SSA Office	3215 Hwy 77 Panama City, FL 32405	(866) 348-5833
Miami North SSA Office	16900 NW 12 Ave Miami, FL 33169	(866) 331-2231
Fort Myers SSA Office	3650 Colonial Blvd First Floor Suite 101 Fort Myers, FL 33966	(888) 318-9114
Miami Beach SSA Office	1801 Alton Rd Suite 200 Miami Beach, FL 33139	(877) 714-0374
Melbourne SSA Office	1715 W Nasa Blvd Melbourne, FL 32901	(866) 716-7667
Ocala SSA Office	933 E Silver Spgs Blvd Ocala, FL 34470	(877) 626-9911
New Port Richey SSA Office	8661 Citizens Drive Suite 100 New Port Richey, FL 34654	(866) 593-5679
North Broward SSA Office	5195 Coconut Creek Pky Margate, FL 33063	(866) 704-4856
Miami South SSA Office	11401 W Flagler St Miami, FL 33174	(866) 331-7129
St Augustine SSA Office	2428 Old Moultrie Road St Augustine, FL 32086	(877) 405-5867
Carrollwood SSA Office	4010 Gunn Highway Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33618	(855) 433-5873
Pt Charlotte SSA Office	1600 Tamiami Trail Suite 200 Port Charlotte, FL 33948	(877) 405-0490
Venice SSA Office	1435 E Venice Ave #114 Venice, FL 34292	(888) 676-2944
Kissimmee SSA Office	1201 E Oak St Kissimmee, FL 34744	(866) 614-4754
Ft Walton Beach SSA Office	111B Racetrack Rd NW Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547	(866) 331-2194
Winter Haven SSA Office	1395 NW Havendale Blvd Winter Haven, FL 33881	(877) 457-1739
Belle Glade SSA Office	925 Se 1St Street Belle Glade, FL 33430	(855) 257-0983
Dade City SSA Office	36630 Adair Road Dade City, FL 33525	(866) 562-1325
Sebring SSA Office	3700 Commercial Drive Sebring, FL 33870	(877) 405-0415
Vero Beach SSA Office	724 20Th St Vero Beach, FL 32960	(866) 964-7414
Naples SSA Office	2659 Professional Cir, Suite 1114 Naples, FL 34119	(888) 294-0161
Ft Lauderdale W	8501 W Sunrise Blvd Suite 100 Plantation, FL 33322	(866) 331-9093
Marianna SSA Office	4125 Jireh Court Marianna, FL 32448	(888) 397-4815
Little River SSA Office	8345 Biscayne Blvd Miami, FL 33138	(877) 405-0468
South Palm Beach SSA Office	621 NW 53 St Suite 400 Boca Raton, FL 33487	(877) 467-1703
Little Havana SSA Office	1St Floor 3663 SW 8Th St. Miami, FL 33135	(877) 714-0373
Cocoa SSA Office	310 Canaveral Groves Cocoa, FL 32926	(866) 964-0798

Florida Hearing and Appeal Offices

Florida is in Region 4 (Atlanta), which services Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Region 4 – SSA Office of Hearing Operations in Florida
SSA Hearing Office – Fort Lauderdale	500 East Broward Boulevard Suite 1000, 10th Floor Fort Lauderdale, FL 33394	(888) 436-2637
SSA Hearing Office – Ft. Myers	3650 Colonial Boulevard 2nd Floor, Suite 210 Ft. Myers, FL 33966	(888) 462-1109
SSA Hearing Office – Jacksonville	8880 Freedom Crossing Trail Building 400, Suite 400 Jacksonville, FL 32256	(866) 931-0124
SSA Hearing Office – Miami	333 S. Miami Avenue One Riverview Square, 8th Floor Miami, FL 33130	(866) 964-5052
SSA Hearing Office – Orlando	3505 Lake Lynda Drive Glenridge Building, Suite 300 Orlando, FL 32817-8338	(877) 833-2730
SSA Hearing Office – St. Petersburg	830 Central Avenue 2nd Floor St. Petersburg, FL 33701	(877) 452-4193
SSA Hearing Office – Tallahassee	1961 Quail Grove Lane 2nd Floor Tallahassee, FL 32311	(888) 472-5996
SSA Hearing Office – Tampa	4925 Independence Parkway Fountain Square II, Suite 200 Tampa, FL 33634	(855) 248-0239