Address, phone & hours
Your local SSA service center
The Cambridge office supports 5,785 SSDI recipients as of December 2024. ZIP 01801 alone accounts for 785 of these individuals. While the SSDI share of 7% is lower than the national median of 11%, the office manages $182 million in monthly benefits for the community. This office serves as your primary point of contact across 34 ZIP codes to initiate your disability claim.
You can visit the Cambridge office to file an initial SSDI application, drop off medical records, verify your identity, or update your direct deposit information. While you can often walk in for basic services, scheduling an appointment ensures a representative is available to assist with your specific claim. Please note that this office does not make final disability determinations; those decisions are handled by the state DDS. Additionally, any necessary hearings are conducted by a separate Office of Hearings Operations.
Who this office serves
Beneficiaries in this service area receive an estimated $181,842k in Social Security benefits each month.
Before you visit
When you arrive at the Cambridge office, bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your work history for the last 15 years. You should also provide a comprehensive list of your treating physicians, including their contact information and addresses. Bring copies of your most recent medical records, a list of current medications, and any prior denial letters if you are reapplying. Expect your appointment to last between 45 and 90 minutes as a claims representative reviews your file.
Avoid pitfalls such as submitting an incomplete work history or failing to include recent medical records from all your treating providers. You should also remember to mention mental health conditions that contribute to your inability to work. Never sign any Social Security Act forms without reading them thoroughly to ensure all information is accurate. These errors often lead to unnecessary delays or the need for additional follow-up appointments.
Should you bring an attorney?
The application stage is the foundation of your entire disability claim. Even if you are just starting the process, an attorney can help you understand your options and ensure your evidence is properly presented. Most people who apply without legal guidance find the process overwhelming, especially if they face an initial denial. A free case review can help you determine if professional representation is the right choice for your situation.
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 a regional hearing office. SSA assigns that office based on where you live. The hearing offices below are the closest to Cambridge by distance, which is not always the office SSA assigns. The Cambridge field office holds your file at every appeal stage, but the substantive decisions happen further up the chain.
Frequently asked questions
While you can walk in for basic services, it is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment at Cambridge to ensure a representative is available to discuss your SSDI application. An attorney can help you prepare for this meeting to ensure you have all necessary documentation.
Yes, you can file your initial SSDI application online through the Social Security website. However, you may still need to visit Cambridge for identity verification or to submit specific physical documents that cannot be uploaded digitally.
If you miss your appointment at Cambridge, you should contact the office immediately to reschedule. Missing an appointment can delay your application processing, 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 treating doctors, and your most recent medical records to Cambridge. Having these items organized can help the claims representative process your request more efficiently.
An appointment at Cambridge typically lasts between 45 and 90 minutes. This time is used by the claims representative to review your application and ensure all required information is captured correctly.
