Tennessee and Social Security Disability Benefits
- Why is State-by-State Information Important?
- Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits in Tennessee – What You Need To Know
- Tennessee SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Approval By Office
- Hearing Offices in Tennessee & The SSA Offices They Serve
- List of Social Security Administration Field Offices in Tennessee
- More Important Information about The Application Process
ALL STATE DATA UPDATED FOR 2024!
Everyone’s experience applying for Social Security Disability benefits will be unique. Part of this is because everyone’s individual medical and work history is different. But, potential applicants should also know that each state – like Tennessee – has its own story to tell in terms of social security disability benefit approval rates at each stage of the process, as well as waiting times at the hearing stage.
Why is State-by-State Information Important?
Specialized disability advocates (like us here at Citizens Disability) and Tennessee social security disability attorneys know all too well how important it is to understand that every state is different. It’s very helpful to know what the trends are, how long the wait times are from office to office, and what the different rates of approvals are.
Citizens Disability takes a data-driven approach to helping our clients. We want to make sure that we’re giving our clients the best possible advice at every step in the application process. We also work very hard to present the best possible case for each of our clients. Bringing together data from a wide variety of sources – including data like this, which comes from the Social Security Administration – allows us to make smart decisions when we present cases for our clients.
Finally, this information can be very helpful to applicants. Applying for social security benefits is likely a new experience for most applicants, and having an idea of what they can expect from the process can help them be engaged and involved participants with their advocates.
While your own journey may be different than the trends you see here, these tables and charts can help you understand what, on average, you can expect.
You will also find location and contact information for all the offices in Tennessee below.
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits in Tennessee – What You Need To Know
There are generally three stages in the application process for Social Security Disability benefits: initial application, reconsideration, and the hearing. In this table, you can see how Tennessee compares to the national average (all states in America) when it comes to approval rates at each of those stages.
| Initial Application (L1) | Reconsideration (L2) | Hearing (L3) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 33.1% | 13.4% | 59.2% |
| National Average | 39.5% | 15.1% | 57.7% |
| State Difference: | -6.4% | -1.7% | 1.5% |
As the table shows, Tennessee is slightly ahead of the national average at the Hearing level but slightly below average at the Initial application and Reconsideration level.
Tennessee Initial Application Approval Over Time
| Initial Application Approval Rate | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 33.1% | 35.2% | 40.0% | 36.8% | 38.4% | 34.7% | 29.9% | 28.5% | 28.7% | 26.7% |
| National Average | 39.5% | 38.9% | 38.8% | 37.7% | 38.3% | 37.6% | 35.3% | 34.4% | 33.5% | 32.8% |
As the table and the below chart show, Tennessee was very close Initial Applications going back to at least 2015. Since 2022, Tennessee has seen a decline in approval rates. In 2024, Tennessee ranked 51st in the nation in terms of percentage approval of Initial Applications. While approval rates have improved in Tennessee over the last few years, they still are well below the national average. If you are thinking of applying for SSDI, don’t worry – there are multiple stages to the application process.
Tennessee Reconsideration Approval Over Time
| Reconsideration Approval Rate | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 13.4% | 14.3% | 16.7% | 13.1% | 15.8% | 14.0% | 10.5% | 9.8% | 9.0% | 10.1% |
| National Average | 15.1% | 15.5% | 15.0% | 13.2% | 13.6% | 13.4% | 12.4% | 12.9% | 12.6% | 11.7% |
As the table and the below chart indicate, Tennessee is below the national average when it comes to Approvals at the Reconsideration level. In 2024, Tennessee ranked 42nd in the nation for highest percentage of approvals at Reconsideration. However, as you can see, in general, the chances of winning approval at Reconsideration are not particularly high. That is why many applicants must continue in the next level, the Hearing.
Tennessee Hearings Approval Over Time
| Hearing Approval Rate | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 59.2% | 59.3% | 58.1% | 58.5% | 56.9% | 56.6% | 61.1% | 62.8% | 60.4% | 58.5% |
| National Average | 57.7% | 56.8% | 54.2% | 54.7% | 51.1% | 52.9% | 53.9% | 56.8% | 54.7% | 53.4% |
As the table and the below chart indicate, Tennessee has consistently been better than the national average when it comes to approvals at the Hearing level. In 2024, Tennessee ranked 17th in the nation for highest percentage of approvals at Hearings.
However, as you’ll see below, all individual hearing offices in Tennessee are not the same – each office has its own approval rates, and almost as importantly, waiting times. Which hearing office your case is assigned to in Tennessee may have a significant bearing on your chances for approval.
Also worthy of note is the fact that past performance is only one indicator of likely outcomes; as new data comes in, you might see that a state’s performance compared to the national average has either improved or weakened.
Tennessee SSDI Hearing Wait Times & Approval By Office
Tennessee is part of the Social Security Administration’s “Region 4,” which is headquartered in Atlanta. There are 6 hearing offices in Tennessee. You can see waiting times for hearings & case dispositions for each office below, with comparisons to Tennessee and National Averages.
The “Hearing Wait Time (Months)” is, on average, how long it takes in between when an applicant asks for a Hearing and when that hearing occurs.
The “Average Disposition Time (Days)” is, on average, the number of days in between when an applicant asks for a Hearing, and when the Administrative Law Judge who hears their case actually makes a decision on that case.
The “Average Approval Rate” is percentage at which cases are decided in favor of the applicant.
| Hearing Wait Time (Months) | Average Disposition Time (Days) | Average Approval Rate (2024) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Average | 9.3 | 366 | 57.7% |
| Tennessee Average | 7.0 | 305 | 59.2% |
| CHATTANOOGA | 7.3 | 348 | 71.4% |
| FRANKLIN TN | 6.8 | 255 | 57.3% |
| KINGSPORT | 6.1 | 257 | 53.7% |
| KNOXVILLE | 7.8 | 298 | 60.4% |
| MEMPHIS | 7.8 | 419 | 49.9% |
| NASHVILLE | 6.3 | 253 | 65.3% |
As the table here and the chart below indicate, in 2024, Tennessee has a whole has shorter wait times, Memphis being the only office that has a longer wait time.
These waiting times and approval rates only highlight how important it can be to have a qualified representative – such as an Advocate from Citizens Disability – working on your case. The Government Accountability Office has done research that shows that an applicant who has a representative has an up to three times greater chance of being approved than a person who goes it alone.
Hearing Offices in Tennessee & The SSA Offices They Serve
These are the “Office of Hearing Operations” offices in Tennessee. These offices are where hearings are scheduled and generally conducted. Each OHO office supports a number of regional Social Security Administration field offices. You are likely (but not guaranteed) to have your hearing scheduled with a Judge who works in the OHO office that supports the SSA field office nearest to you.
Hearing Office Region 4 Chattanooga SSA, OHO
Suite 200 1232 Premier Drive Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421
(877) 833-2721 • (423) 855-6407 • (877) 470-5099
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
GEORGIA: Dalton, Rome
TENNESSEE: Athens, Chattanooga, Cleveland, Tullahoma
Hearing Office Region 4 Kingsport SSA, OHO
2405 South Wilcox Drive Kingsport Tennessee 37660
(888) 632-6913 • (423) 246-3974 • (877) 601-3827
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
NORTH CAROLINA: Asheville
TENNESSEE: Greenville, Kingsport, Johnson City, Morristown
Hearing Office Region 4 Knoxville SSA, OHO
135 Circle Lane Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
(877) 692-3141 • (865) 212-9799 • (877) 435-0335
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
TENNESSEE: Cookeville, Jacksboro, Knoxville, Oak Ridge
Hearing Office Region 4 Franklin SSA, OHO
Suite 350 6840 Carothers Parkway Franklin, Tennessee 37067-6538
(866) 568-9450 • (615) 771-0433 • (877) 560-6889
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
ALABAMA: Decatur
TENNESSEE: Columbia, Jackson, Lawrenceburg, McMinnville, Murfreesboro, Selmer
Hearing Office Region 4 Memphis SSA, OHO
309 Monroe Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38103
(866) 348-5830 • (901) 523-9282 • (877) 844-8753
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
ARKANSAS: West Memphis
MISSISSIPPI: Olive Branch
TENNESSEE: Dyersburg, Memphis (Downtown), Memphis (North), Memphis (South), Union City
Hearing Office Region 4 Nashville SSA, OHO
221 Cumberland Bend Nashville, Tennessee 37228-1803
(877) 583-4103 • (615) 736-2175 • (877) 847-1598
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
TENNESSEE: Clarksville, Gallatin, Madison, Nashville, Paris
List of Social Security Administration Field Offices in Tennessee
| Office Name | Location | Address | City | State | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEMPHIS SOUTH TN | 3461 SOUTH THIRD ST | MEMPHIS | TN | (855) 782-9155 | |
| GALLATIN TN | 637 COMMONS DRIVE | GALLATIN | TN | (866) 964-7392 | |
| NASHVILLE TN | 120 ATHENS WAY | NASHVILLE | TN | (877) 808-5461 | |
| MEMPHIS TN | 1330 MONROE AVENUE | MEMPHIS | TN | (866) 336-2212 | |
| KNOXVILLE TN | 8530 KINGSTON PIKE | KNOXVILLE | TN | (866) 331-9091 | |
| CHATTANOOGA TN | SUITE 140 | 1290 PREMIER DR | CHATTANOOGA | TN | (866) 964-0029 |
| COLUMBIA TN | 1885 SHADY BROOK ST | COLUMBIA | TN | (877) 876-3174 | |
| DYERSBURG TN | 1070 VENDALL RD | DYERSBURG | TN | (877) 480-5002 | |
| JACKSON TN | 415 CHEYENNE DR | JACKSON | TN | (888) 383-1593 | |
| JOHNSON CITY TN | SUITE 203 | 818 SUNSET DRIVE | JOHNSON CITY | TN | (866) 964-5059 |
| COOKEVILLE TN | 1145 PERIMETER PARK DR | COOKEVILLE | TN | (888) 717-1528 | |
| CLARKSVILLE TN | 119 CENTER POINTE DR | CLARKSVILLE | TN | (877) 531-4695 | |
| GREENEVILLE TN | 1618 OLD TUSCULUM ROAD | GREENEVILLE | TN | (877) 405-0416 | |
| MORRISTOWN TN | 3112 MILLERS POINT DR | MORRISTOWN | TN | (866) 875-6156 | |
| TULLAHOMA TN | 717 KINGS LANE | TULLAHOMA | TN | (866) 635-0647 | |
| MURFREESBORO TN | 2836 SAINT PATRICK CT | MURFREESBORO | TN | (866) 593-3112 | |
| KINGSPORT TN | 2401 SOUTH WILCOX DR | KINGSPORT | TN | (888) 487-0161 | |
| JACKSBORO TN | 140 SHARP PERKINS RD | JACKSBORO | TN | (866) 964-7324 | |
| CLEVELAND TN | 529 INMAN ST W | CLEVELAND | TN | (855) 207-4867 | |
| PARIS TN | 186 COMMERCE ST | PARIS | TN | (866) 698-2507 | |
| OAK RIDGE TN | 565 OAK RIDGE TPKE | OAK RIDGE | TN | (888) 676-2954 | |
| UNION CITY TN | 1800 OLD TROY RD | UNION CITY | TN | (877) 401-5904 | |
| LAWRENCEBURG TN | 109 E TAYLOR STREET | LAWRENCEBURG | TN | (877) 405-5866 | |
| MCMINNVILLE TN | 900 SPARTA ST | MCMINNVILLE | TN | (877) 616-2515 | |
| MADISON TN | 140 CUDE LANE | MADISON | TN | (866) 964-6302 | |
| MEMPHIS NORTH TN | 3602 AUSTIN PEAY HWY | MEMPHIS | TN | (855) 420-8557 | |
| ATHENS TN | 921 CONGRESS PKWY N | ATHENS | TN | (866) 964-7431 | |
| SELMER TN | 661 MULBERRY AVE | SELMER | TN | (888) 397-4814 |
Swipe left & right to see the whole table
All data on this page is current as of July, 2024.
More Important Information about The Application Process
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