Address, phone & hours
Your local SSA service center
The Long Beach office acts as your local Social Security service center for 18 ZIP codes. While the catchment skews toward retirement with 82% of beneficiaries aged 65 or older, the office remains a vital point of contact for the 6,190 disabled workers in the area. Collectively, this office oversees $108 million in monthly benefits. Understanding this retirement-focused environment is important when you arrive for your disability-related appointment.
You can visit this office to file initial SSDI applications, drop off medical evidence, verify your identity, or update your direct deposit information. This office does not make the final decision on your disability claim, as that process is handled by the state DDS. Additionally, any future hearings are conducted by a separate Office of Hearings Operations. You should schedule an appointment to minimize wait times.
Who this office serves
Beneficiaries in this service area receive an estimated $107,861k in Social Security benefits each month.
Before you visit
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and a detailed 15-year work history to your appointment. You should also provide a comprehensive list of all treating physicians, their contact information, and copies of your most recent medical records. If you are taking prescription medications, bring a current list including dosages. Expect your interview with a claims representative to last between 45 and 90 minutes as they verify your eligibility details.
Avoid delays by ensuring your 15-year work history is complete and accurate before you arrive. Many applicants struggle because they fail to bring recent medical records or forget to mention conditions that contribute to your inability to work. Do not sign any forms provided by the office until you have read them thoroughly and understand what you are authorizing. Missing documentation often forces the office to request additional information, which slows down your claim.
Working while you apply? Check how much you can earn on SSDI this year — SSA's earnings limit is the first thing it looks at.
Was your claim denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
Should you bring an attorney?
The initial application stage is the foundation of your entire disability claim. Most applicants who apply without guidance face denials that could have been avoided with proper evidence preparation. A qualified attorney can help you understand your options and ensure your medical and work history is presented clearly to the Social Security Administration. Consider a free case review to see how representation might strengthen your application from the start.
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 one of the regional hearing offices that handles appeals from Long Beach. The Long Beach field office holds your file at every appeal stage, but the substantive decisions happen further up the chain.
Frequently asked questions
While the Long Beach office does accept walk-ins, scheduling an appointment is strongly recommended to ensure you are seen in a timely manner. You can contact this office to confirm availability for your specific needs.
Yes, you can file your initial SSDI application online through the official Social Security website. However, if you prefer to file in person or need to submit physical documentation, visiting the Long Beach office is a valid option.
If you miss your appointment at Long Beach, you should contact the office as soon as possible to reschedule. Missing an appointment can delay the processing of your application, so you should communicate any scheduling conflicts immediately.
You should bring your government-issued photo ID, a 15-year work history, a list of your doctors with their addresses, and your most recent medical records. Having these documents ready helps the staff at Long Beach process your request more efficiently.
An appointment at the Long Beach office typically lasts between 45 and 90 minutes. This time is used by the claims representative to review your application and verify your personal information.