Atticus offers free, high-quality disability advice for Americans who can't work. Our team of Stanford and Harvard trained lawyers has a combined 15+ years of legal experience, and have helped over 10,000 Americans apply for disability benefits.
More than 200,000 Georgia residents receive monthly disability benefits. If you live in Atlanta and can no longer work because of an injury or illness, you might qualify for Social Security disability benefits. These monthly payments can be life-changing for you and your family.
Here’s the thing: Your best shot at winning Social Security disability benefits is to work with a disability lawyer. A lawyer can help you navigate every step of the application process and improve your chances of winning benefits by three times.
Read on to learn more about applying for disability and find disability lawyers in Atlanta.
Like most states, Georgia does not have a state disability program. But if you’re a Georgian and are unable to work because of a medical condition, you might qualify for federal disability benefits through the Social Security Administration.
There are two Social Security disability programs:
Social Security Disability Insurance: Social Security Disability Insurance, called SSDI for short, is for people under 67 with severely limiting disabilities expected to last more than a year. To qualify, you must have worked at least 5 of the last 10 years and paid into Social Security.
Supplement Security Income: SSI, on the other hand, is need-based. People with little work history, limited income, and few resources can qualify for SSI.
Read our in-depth guide to learn more about SSDI, SSI, and eligibility requirements.
We'll use the Social Security Administration's formula to estimate your monthly benefit.
Average
monthly check
$1,489
In 2024, the maximum payment amount for Social Security Disability Insurance is $3,822. The average SSDI payment amount in Georgia is $1,688 per month.
The maximum monthly payment for Supplemental Security Income is $943, but the average amount in Georgia is $597.
The Social Security Administration does not require disability applicants to have a lawyer, but it’s a good idea to have one. Working with a disability attorney can ease the application process and increase your chances of winning by three times. A lawyer can help you complete paperwork, gather medical records, communicate with the SSA, and keep your disability claim on track.
Disability lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if they win you benefits. After the SSA approves your claim, you pay your lawyer a one-time fee. This payment is capped at 25% of your final payout, or $7,200, whichever is lower.
Atticus does not charge any upfront costs. Call today for a free consultation, and we can offer advice about your Social Security disability claim and connect you with a disability lawyer if you’d like.
You can apply for benefits in person at your local SSA office. Call your nearest field office to make an appointment:
Atlanta 3800 Camp Creek Pkwy Building 2400, Suite 122 Atlanta, GA 30331 Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Phone Number: (877) 828-1694 Fax Number: (833) 913-2075
| Atlanta 401 W Peachtree Street NW, Suite 2860 Floor 28 Atlanta, GA 30308 Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Phone Number: (866) 931-9946 Fax Number: (833) 950-2558
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Atticus partners with leading GA disability law firms, helping clients with Social Security disability claims. Here are a few Social Security disability attorneys who have handled thousands of successful cases with Atticus:
Matthew T. Berry & Associates LLC 2751 Buford Hwy NE, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30324 | Carmichael Law Group 18 9th St., Suite 303, Columbus, GA 31901 | Westmoreland, Patterson, Moseley & Hinson, L.L.P. 577 Mulberry St., Suite 600, Macon, Georgia 31201 |
“Matthew T. Berry and Associates have been very helpful and professional in handling my permanent disability claim. The process of retaining them was quick and smooth. They answered my questions and offered a realistic vision of what to expect.” - Manal F., Atticus client | “I was understood and treated as a person and not a number. Help was given when asked, and I am so grateful for this!” - Pamela J., Atticus client
| “Everything went exceptionally well, and everyone was very nice and respectful.” - Terry C., Atticus client
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To qualify for disability, you must have a condition preventing you from working for at least a year. You’ll also need to meet specific work history requirements (for SSDI) or be within certain income limits (for SSI). For more on these requirements, read our full write-up here.
Any condition preventing you from working for a year or more can qualify for disability benefits. Some of the most common conditions include musculoskeletal disorders, mental disorders, nervous system diseases, and circulatory system diseases. See our full list of conditions that qualify here.
It takes an average of 7 months to get an initial disability decision in Georgia. Most people who apply are initially rejected and need to appeal this decision. If you appeal and go to a hearing, the process can take nearly two years. Read more: How Long Does it Take to Get Approved for Disability benefits?
In 2024, the average SSDI payment in Georgia is $1,702.77 per month. The average SSI payment is $597.72. What you’ll earn depends on your income or the amount you’ve historically paid into the Social Security program. Read more on what amount you can expect.
Answer the application questions truthfully, consistently, and succinctly. You should also gather and submit all your medical records with your application. The SSA paperwork can be complicated, so our legal team has written a full guide to the application here.
Getting disability benefits in Georgia is a complex, often long process. A few things can make it easier: Being over 50, having a particularly severe condition (on the SSA’s “compassionate allowance list”), or working with a disability lawyer. Read more: 5 signs that you’ll be approved for disability benefits.
How long has your condition made it hard to work?
Jackie Jakab
Lead Attorney
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