Address, phone & hours
Your local SSA service center
As your local Social Security service center, the Wilkesboro office is a primary point of contact for residents across 37 ZIP codes. The office supports 40,750 beneficiaries, with disabled workers making up 12% of the total population. With $67 million in monthly benefits distributed to the area, the office plays a central role in local financial stability. The beneficiary mix is typical for the region, with a strong focus on retired-worker support alongside essential disability services.
You can visit this office to file an initial SSDI application, drop off medical evidence, verify your identity, or update your direct deposit information. This office does not make final disability decisions, which are handled by the state, nor does it conduct hearings. While you can walk in, scheduling an appointment is the most efficient way to ensure you are seen promptly. If your claim reaches the hearing stage, you will be directed to a separate office. An attorney can help you navigate these jurisdictional steps.
Who this office serves
Beneficiaries in this service area receive an estimated $67,299k in Social Security benefits each month.
Before you visit
Arrive with a government-issued photo ID and a detailed 15-year work history. Bring a comprehensive list of all treating physicians, including their names, addresses, and contact information. Have your most recent medical records, a current list of medications, and any previous denial letters organized for your claims representative. Expect your appointment to last between 45 and 90 minutes as you review your application details.
Avoid submitting an incomplete work history or failing to disclose all mental and physical health conditions. You may delay your own progress by forgetting to bring recent medical records or failing to provide updated contact information for your doctors. Read every form carefully before signing, as errors in your initial paperwork can lead to unnecessary processing delays. Providing clear and consistent information is the best way to keep your application moving forward.
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 claim, and mistakes made here can be difficult to correct later. If you apply without professional guidance, you may find the process overwhelming and face denials that could have been avoided. A qualified attorney can help you organize your evidence and ensure your application accurately reflects the severity of your condition. Consider a free case review to understand how to strengthen your claim 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 Wilkesboro. The Wilkesboro field office holds your file at every appeal stage, but the substantive decisions happen further up the chain.
Frequently asked questions
While the Wilkesboro office accepts walk-ins, scheduling an appointment is recommended to reduce your wait time. Contact this office using the phone button below to confirm availability or book a specific time for your visit.
Yes, you can file your initial SSDI application online through the official Social Security website. However, you may still need to visit the Wilkesboro office in person for identity verification or to submit physical medical records.
If you miss your appointment at Wilkesboro, contact the office as soon as possible to reschedule. Missing an appointment can delay your application, so communicate with your claims representative promptly.
Bring a valid photo ID, a 15-year work history, a list of all your doctors with their contact information, and any recent medical records. Having these documents organized before you arrive at Wilkesboro will help the staff process your request more efficiently.
You are not required to have a lawyer for your first appointment at Wilkesboro, but many claimants find it beneficial. An attorney can help you avoid common errors in your application and ensure all your medical evidence is properly presented.