Bellingham, located in Whatcom County, residents can turn to a social security attorney or advocate for help if their disability is expected to keep them out of work. These attorneys and advocates will help disabled individuals apply for financial assistance from the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the form of either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Currently in Whatcom County there are 5,670 individuals receiving SSDI and 4,326 individuals receiving SSI.
A Bellingham disability applicant can either apply for benefits online or at the SSA office listed below:
710 Alabama St
Bellingham, WA 98225
800-772-1213
Across from Trader Joe's on James and Alabama
The Bellingham SSA office also serves residents in the following cities and towns: Acme, Blakely Island, Blaine, Custer, Deming, Everson, Ferndale, Lummi Island, Lynden, Maple Falls, Nooksack, Point Roberts and Sumas.
Bellingham Disability Attorneys
You can choose to hire a disability attorney when applying for benefits. Your attorney will not only file an application on your behalf, but will also represent you at your disability hearing if your claim is denied. Click here for more information on the benefits of hiring an attorney.
A Bellingham disability attorney will also handle claims in the following cities/towns: Parkview, Roosevelt, Seattle, Eureka, Lakeway, Forest Ridge, Dewey, Edgemoor, and Geneva, as well as those in Skagit, Chelan, and Okanogan counties.
You can feel free to contact the local bar association list below with any questions about disability attorneys:
Whatcom County Bar Association
Post Office Box 1142
Bellingham, Washington 98227-1142
Bellingham Social Security Hearings
Since the majority of initial applications and reconsideration requests are denied, chances are a Bellingham resident will have to attend a disability hearing in order to get approved for benefits. All Bellingham residents will have to travel to Seattle hearing office. Since Seattle is almost 90 miles away from Bellingham, the SSA will reimburse travel costs for Bellingham residents who need to attend a hearing.
It is also important to hire a disability attorney prior to attending hearing. Your attorney will represent you during the hearing and cross-examine any experts used against you by the SSA.
On average, it takes about a year to have a disability hearing scheduled. For some individuals in dire financial need, this could be too long to wait. You can contact your local congressman (listed below) to see if it is possible to have your hearing scheduled sooner.
119 North Commercial Street
Suite 1350
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: 360-733-4500
To speak with a disability attorney or advocate for free, fill out the form below!
