Address, phone & hours
Your local SSA service center
As your local Social Security service center, Anacostia handles a significant portion of the region's disability needs. With 21% of the 21,905 total beneficiaries receiving SSDI, the office maintains a typical disability-to-retirement mix. Residents in ZIP codes 20019, 20020, and 20032 rely on this location for essential services. The office facilitates the distribution of $29 million in monthly benefits, supporting a large population of retirees and disabled workers alike.
You can visit Anacostia to file an initial SSDI application, drop off medical records, verify your identity, or update your direct deposit information. While this office handles the intake of your paperwork, it does not decide your claim; that responsibility lies with the state disability determination service. Additionally, any future hearings regarding your case will occur at a separate office location. It is recommended to schedule an appointment to minimize your wait time during your visit.
Who this office serves
Beneficiaries in this service area receive an estimated $28,739k in Social Security benefits each month.
Before you visit
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and a comprehensive work history covering the last 15 years. You should also provide a complete list of your treating providers with their addresses, recent medical records, and a current list of all medications you are taking. If you have received any prior denial notices, bring those documents as well. Expect your interview with a claims representative to last between 45 and 90 minutes.
You may delay your claim by submitting incomplete work histories or failing to include recent medical records from all treating physicians. Forgetting to mention mental health conditions or secondary physical impairments can also negatively impact your case. Avoid signing any forms until you have read them thoroughly to ensure all information is accurate. Providing incomplete or inconsistent data often leads to unnecessary processing delays.
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 application stage is the foundation of your entire claim, and mistakes made now can be difficult to correct later. Most people who apply without legal guidance find the process overwhelming and often face initial denials. An attorney can help you understand your options and ensure your application is as strong as possible 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 Anacostia. The Anacostia 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 Anacostia, scheduling an appointment is highly recommended to ensure you are seen in a timely manner. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times can be unpredictable depending on the volume of visitors.
Yes, you can start your application online, which may save you time. However, you may still need to visit Anacostia to submit specific original documents or verify your identity in person.
If you miss your appointment at Anacostia, contact the office as soon as possible to reschedule. Missing an appointment can delay your application, so it is important to notify them if your circumstances change.
You should bring your photo ID, a 15-year work history, a list of all doctors and clinics you have visited, and your most recent medical records. Having these items ready helps the staff process your application more efficiently.
An appointment at Anacostia typically lasts between 45 and 90 minutes. The exact duration depends on the complexity of your application and the volume of information you need to provide.