Address, phone & hours
Your local SSA service center
As of December 2024, the Hawthorne office supports 5,335 SSDI recipients, which accounts for 8.8% of the total beneficiary population served. The office covers a broad area, with ZIP 90047 alone containing 1,025 SSDI recipients and ZIP 90250 containing 1,010. The office manages a significant monthly payout of $102 million to local residents. This facility acts as your primary point of contact for initial disability filings in the region.
You can visit the Hawthorne office to file your initial SSDI application, drop off medical evidence, verify your identity, or update your direct deposit information. While you can often handle many tasks online, an in-person visit is necessary for specific document verification. Note that this office does not make the final decision on your disability claim, as that is handled by the state DDS. Additionally, any future hearings are conducted by a separate Office of Hearings Operations, not at this location.
Who this office serves
Beneficiaries in this service area receive an estimated $101,591k in Social Security benefits each month.
Before you visit
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and a complete 15-year work history to your appointment. You should also provide a list of all treating physicians with their contact information, recent medical records, a list of current medications, and any previous denial letters if you have applied before. Expect your appointment to last between 45 and 90 minutes as a claims representative reviews your file. Being organized helps the representative process your information more efficiently.
Avoid common pitfalls such as providing an incomplete work history or failing to include recent medical records from all your treating providers. Many applicants also neglect to mention mental health conditions that contribute to their inability to work, which can be a critical oversight. Never sign forms without reading them thoroughly to ensure all information is accurate. These errors often lead to unnecessary delays or initial denials that you could have avoided.
Should you bring an attorney?
The application stage is the foundation of your entire disability claim. Many people apply on their own and only seek legal help after receiving a denial, but an attorney can help you gather the right evidence from the start. A qualified representative ensures your application is complete and accurately reflects your medical limitations. Consider a free case review to understand how to best present your situation to the Social Security Administration.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
If your SSDI claim moves to a hearing
About two-thirds of initial SSDI applications nationwide are denied. If yours is, your case moves to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge at a regional hearing office. SSA assigns that office based on where you live. The hearing offices below are the closest to Hawthorne by distance, which is not always the office SSA assigns. The Hawthorne field office holds your file at every appeal stage, but the substantive decisions happen further up the chain.
Frequently asked questions
While you can visit the Hawthorne office, scheduling an appointment is recommended to ensure a representative is available to assist you. You can contact this office using the phone button below to confirm if your specific needs require a scheduled time.
Yes, you can file your initial SSDI application through the official Social Security website. However, you may still need to visit the Hawthorne office if you are asked to provide original documents for identity verification or if you need assistance with specific paperwork.
If you miss your appointment at the Hawthorne office, you should contact them as soon as possible using the phone button below to reschedule. Missing an appointment can delay your application, so it is important to communicate any conflicts immediately.
You should bring your photo ID, a 15-year work history, a list of your doctors with their addresses, recent medical records, and a list of your current medications. Having these items ready helps the staff at Hawthorne process your application more effectively.
You are not required to have a lawyer for your first appointment, but many people find it helpful. An attorney can ensure your medical evidence is properly documented, which may improve your chances of a successful outcome.
