Address, phone and hours
| Address | 1st Floor, 1200 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard Birmingham, AL 35285 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (866) 613-2863 |
| Fax | (833) 968-1654 |
| eFile fax | (877) 670-6787 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 8872, London, KY 40742-9533 |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
This office holds hearings before administrative law judges. It does not issue Social Security cards or take new benefit applications: for that, visit your local Social Security field office in Alabama.
How long is the wait at the Birmingham hearing office?
SSA measures average processing time as the number of days from the hearing request to the final disposition, for all cases completed at each hearing office in the reporting period. The national figure shown here is the average across offices weighted by their dispositions. At Birmingham Hearing Office it is currently close to the national average. Your own case can move faster or slower depending on when you filed, whether more medical evidence is needed and the judge's calendar. See how every office compares in hearing wait times by office.
Judges at the Birmingham hearing office and approval rates
These are the administrative law judges (ALJs) listed for Birmingham Hearing Office in SSA's FY 2026 disposition data. The approval rate is the share of decisions that were fully or partially favorable; dismissals are not counted as decisions. The office average was 49%, against 58% nationally.
| Judge | Decisions | Approved | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarence Guthrie | 446 | 37% | |
| George W. Merchant | 409 | 35% | |
| Emilie Kraft | 385 | 55% | |
| Brian Turner | 374 | 75% | |
| Mary E Helmer | 347 | 40% | |
| Monica D Jackson | 335 | 58% | |
| Lisa M Johnson | 297 | 44% |
Which field offices send cases to Birmingham Hearing Office?
According to SSA, Birmingham Hearing Office handles hearings for people served by these Social Security field offices:
ALABAMA: Albertville, Bessemer, Birmingham (Downtown), Birmingham (East), Gadsden, Jasper, Talladega, Tuscaloosa
If your local office is not listed, your hearing is handled elsewhere: check the Alabama hearing offices.
How to request a hearing at this office
- Your claim must first be denied at reconsideration.
- Request the hearing within 60 days of receiving the reconsideration denial (SSA presumes you received it 5 days after the date on the letter), online at ssa.gov or with form HA-501.
- The hearing office acknowledges your request and sends a notice about the ways to attend: in person, by video or by phone.
- You receive the Notice of Hearing at least 75 days before the hearing date.
- Send any remaining evidence at least 5 business days before the hearing. What happens at the hearing.
The previous decisions in Alabama are made by the Disability Determination Services. Full walkthrough: how to appeal a disability denial and what happens at the hearing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the phone number of the Birmingham hearing office?
The Birmingham Hearing Office phone number is (866) 613-2863. Fax: (833) 968-1654.
Where is the Birmingham Social Security hearing office?
Birmingham Hearing Office is located at 1st Floor, 1200 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35285.
How long is the wait for a disability hearing in Birmingham?
According to SSA data for FY 2026 through July 31, 2026, the average processing time at Birmingham Hearing Office is 249 days (about 8.2 months), close to the national average of 261 days.
What is the approval rate at the Birmingham hearing office?
In FY 2026, judges at Birmingham Hearing Office approved 49% of the cases they decided (fully or partially favorable), versus 58% nationally.
Can I have my hearing by phone or video?
Yes. SSA offers hearings in person, by agency video, by online video (Microsoft Teams, only if you agree on form HA-56) and by phone. You can tell the hearing office which option you prefer.
Is this the same as the Alabama DDS?
No. The Disability Determination Services (DDS) makes the initial and reconsideration decisions. The hearing office handles the next step, the hearing before an administrative law judge.