Disabled residents of New Orleans (Orleans Parish) have access to many qualified Social Security Disability attorneys and advocates. While legal representation is not required to file for disability, those who have an attorney often have a better chance of being approved for disability benefits than those who don’t.
The New Orleans hearing office currently has 4,870 pending disability claims. The wait time has reached a total of 297 days. Although waiting months to receive a decision on your disability application can be discouraging, many New Orleans residents have found disability payments to be worth it. In December 2011, Orleans Parish was home to 11,535 SSDI beneficiaries and 19,309 SSI beneficiaries.
To learn about SSDI and SSI click here.
Beginning the application process is as simple as filling out an application on the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) website. If you prefer, you also have the option of filling out the paperwork in person at your local Social Security office. See below for an office in your area:
400 Poydras Street
Suite 500
New Orleans, LA 70130
Telephone: 1-800-772-1213
1616 Joe Yenni Blvd
Kenner, LA 70065
Telephone: 1-800-772-1213
115 Terry Pkwy
Terrytown, LA 70056
Telephone: 1-800-772-1213
Consulting with a New Orleans Social Security Disability Attorney
Although beginning the application process seems as simple as filling out paperwork, proving that you are truly disabled can actually be quite complicated. If you find that you are in need of assistance, an attorney or advocate can guide you through the process and help you collect the necessary information to complete your Social Security Disability application successfully.
To learn about the additional benefits of hiring an attorney, click here.
A New Orleans Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Orleans County, Saint Bernard County, Plaquemines County, Jefferson County, Saint Tammany County: Chalmette, Meraux, Gretna, Marrero, Metairie, River Ridge, Kenner, Waggaman, Luling, Laplace, St. Rose, Westwego, Woodmere, and Violet.
Contact the following bar associations to learn more about the legal professionals in New Orleans:
Louisiana State Bar Association
601 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70130-3404
New Orleans Disability Hearings
Once an applicant’s initial application is denied, they move on to file a “Request for Reconsideration.” If this too is denied, he or she will need to schedule an appeal hearing to be held in the New Orleans Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).
See below for the approval rates of the administrative law judges (ALJs) who handle disability claims in the New Orleans office:
| Anzalone, Kerry J. | 60.07% |
| Burgess, John R. | 54.49% |
| Day, Kelley | 36.26% |
| Gattuso, Mary | 40.97% |
| Gordon, Tamia N. | 32.66% |
| Henderson, Thomas G. | 30.93% |
| Hilleren, Christine | 31.41% |
| Kinnell, Tresie | 0.29% |
| Pizzo, Nancy M. | 37.98% |
| Voisin, Glynn F. | 63.50% |
| Volz, III, Louis J. | 52.73% |
| White, Charlotte N. | 56.02% |
*Data from http://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/03_ALJ_Disposition_Data.html
An experienced attorney may be familiar with the various judges who hear cases in his or her local office.
If you financial or health related issues make it impossible for your to wait for your scheduled hearing date, you can contact your local congressperson to request a congressional inquiry. He or she has the power to intervene with the ODAR to expedite your hearing. The congressperson for the New Orleans area is located at:
2021 Lakeshore Dr., Suite 309
New Orleans, LA 70122
Phone: (504) 288-3777
Fax: (504) 288-4090
Fill out the form below to receive a free consultation with a New Orleans Social Security attorney:
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