Address, phone & hours
Your local SSA service center
As your local Social Security service center, the Lancaster office supports a community where $120 million in monthly benefits is distributed. While 69% of the local beneficiaries are retired, the 10,050 disabled workers represent a typical SSDI share for the region. This office acts as the primary point of contact for residents in ZIP codes like 93536 and 93535 to manage their benefit status and initial applications.
You can visit the Lancaster office to file initial SSDI applications, drop off medical evidence, verify your identity, or update your direct deposit information. Please note that this office does not make final disability determinations, which are handled by the state DDS. Additionally, any necessary hearings regarding your claim will be conducted at a separate Office of Hearings Operations location, not at this field office.
Who this office serves
Beneficiaries in this service area receive an estimated $120,480k 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 your treating physicians with their contact information, recent medical records, and a list of all current medications. Expect your interview with a claims representative to last between 45 and 90 minutes, so plan your schedule accordingly.
Avoid common pitfalls such as submitting an incomplete work history or failing to include recent medical records from all your treating providers. Many people also struggle because they omit mental health conditions or sign complex forms without fully reviewing the details. These oversights often lead to unnecessary processing delays or requests for additional information.
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?
Even at the initial application stage, having legal representation can be a significant advantage. An attorney helps ensure your medical evidence is properly organized and that your work history accurately reflects your limitations. An attorney can help you avoid these common mistakes and build a stronger case before you submit your paperwork.
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 Lancaster. The Lancaster 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 for certain services, scheduling an appointment at Lancaster is highly recommended to ensure a representative is available to assist you. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times can be unpredictable depending on the daily volume of visitors.
Yes, you can initiate your application online through the official Social Security website. However, you may still need to visit the Lancaster office to provide original documents or verify your identity in person.
If you miss your appointment at Lancaster, contact the office immediately to reschedule. Missing a scheduled interview can delay the processing of your application and may require you to restart certain parts of the filing process.
An appointment at Lancaster typically lasts between 45 and 90 minutes. The duration depends on the complexity of your application and the amount of documentation you need to submit during your visit.