SSDI and SSI Disability Claimants in Sarasota, Charlotte and Manatee Counties will deal with three related but different entities: SSA, DDS, and ODAR offices. Here’s a brief explanation of each office’s responsibilities and local contact information:

SSA Field Offices

These offices issue SSA cards and process SS retirement, survivors, and disability benefit claims, appeals, Ticket-to-Work and continuing disability reviews (CDRs). Field offices also handle initial overpayment waiver requests and SSI payments. Many routine questions can be answered by calling the SSA toll free number at 1 (800) 772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays or by checking online anytime at www.ssa.gov

Venice – Serves Venice North Port, Englewood, and Nokomis in Sarasota County

Ph (888) 676 2944 | Fx (941) 488-2438 

1435 East Venice Ave Suite 114 Venice 34292

The office is open 8:30 to 3:00 and is in the Publix shopping center. The office front faces Pinebrook.

Sarasota – Serves Sarasota Co. from Osprey to Manatee County

Ph (888) 327 1206 | Fx (941) 364 8530 

2001 Siesta Drive Ste. 301, Sarasota 34239

Bradenton – Serves Manatee County

Ph (877) 803 6316 | Fx (941) 747 9407 

5440 St Rd 64 East, Suite 100 Bradenton 34208

Port Charlotte – Serves Charlotte County

Ph (877) 405 0490 | Fx (941) 743 4873 

1777 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte 33948

DDS- Disability Determination Services 

This state agency, which is part of the Florida Department of Health, makes SSDI, SSI, and continuing disability decisions at the initial and reconsideration levels. Your local SSA office does not decide whether you are “disabled.” Disability Hearing Officers from DDS also handle CDR hearings. This is an additional appeal step before a personal hearing with an administrative law judge. You will have information for contacting DDS by phone on forms sent to you as part of your claim or reconsideration appeal. You normally will only call DDS when your application or reconsideration is being decided. The state agency offices usually handling Sarasota, Charlotte, and Manatee County cases are: 

Tampa: 800-233-1172 

Pensacola: 866-209-2095 

Jacksonville: 904-390-4600 

Tallahassee: 800-342-1823 

Orlando: 800-342-2065

 

ODAR – The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review 

This is where most personal hearings before Administrative Law Judges take place and is where you or your representative will send new evidence before your

hearing. If you have evidence relating to your case and don’t have a representative to help you submit it, call ODAR for instructions on what to do.

St. Petersburg 

Cases served by the Venice and Sarasota SSA offices are generally sent to this ODAR.

(877) 452-4193 830 | Central Ave, 2nd Floor St. Petersburg 33701 

Park on the second story of the attached garage and the stairs lead to the ODAR office door. If stairs and walking are a problem for you, park on the first floor in the middle of the lot and take the middle door and elevator.

Fort Myers 

Cases served by the Port Charlotte SSA office are usually sent here.

(888) 462-1109 3650 | Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers 33966. 

Go behind the SSA office building and take the elevator to the second floor by the back entrance.

Tampa 

Used to handle all of Sarasota and Manatee counties until St. Pete ODAR opened.

(813) 883-7300 | 4925 Independence Parkway, Fountain Square II, Suite 200, Tampa 33614.