Address, phone & hours
Your local SSA service center
As your local Social Security service center, the Memphis office supports 90,410 beneficiaries. The office manages a caseload where 13% of the population receives SSDI benefits. With 39 ZIP codes under its jurisdiction, the staff processes requests that contribute to the $160 million in monthly benefits paid out to the community. This office serves as the primary intake point for those seeking to secure their financial future through federal disability programs.
You can visit this office to file initial SSDI applications, drop off medical records, and verify your identity. Remember that this office does not make final disability decisions; those are handled by the state DDS. Additionally, this office does not conduct hearings, which are managed by a separate Office of Hearings Operations. We recommend scheduling an appointment to minimize your wait time.
Who this office serves
Before you visit
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and a comprehensive work history covering the last 15 years to your appointment. You should also provide a complete list of your treating providers with their current addresses, along with your most recent medical records and a current list of all medications. If you have received any prior denial notices, bring those documents as well.
Avoid arriving with an incomplete work history or missing recent medical documentation from your primary care providers. Many applicants also fail to mention secondary conditions, which can be critical to a successful claim. Read every form thoroughly before signing, as errors in your initial paperwork can lead to significant processing delays. Ensure you have all your supporting evidence organized before your scheduled time.
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 disability case, yet many people apply without legal guidance. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your medical evidence and ensure your application accurately reflects your functional limitations. Most people who apply solo face significant hurdles after an initial denial, making a free case review a smart step 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 Memphis. The Memphis field office holds your file at every appeal stage, but the substantive decisions happen further up the chain.
Frequently asked questions
While the Memphis office accepts walk-ins for certain services, scheduling an appointment is strongly recommended to ensure you are seen promptly and to avoid long wait times.
Yes, you can initiate your SSDI application online through the official Social Security website. However, visiting the Memphis office is often necessary for identity verification or submitting physical medical records.
If you miss your appointment at the Memphis office, contact them immediately to reschedule. Missing an appointment can delay your application timeline, so it is important to maintain communication with your local office.
You should bring your photo ID, a 15-year work history, a list of all your doctors with their contact information, and your most recent medical records. Having these documents ready allows the staff at Memphis to process your request more efficiently.