People can apply online, by phone, or at a local Social Security office. A strong application has complete medical information: every doctor, clinic, hospital, and medication, with dates.
County next steps
Orange · Durham · Wake · North Carolina · Adults 18+
Orange County
Orange County DSS
113 Mayo Street, Hillsborough; or 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill
919-245-2800- Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
- Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
- Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
Durham County
Durham County DSS
414 East Main Street, Durham, NC 27701
919-560-8000- Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
- Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
- Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
Wake County
Wake Health & Human Services — Swinburne
220 Swinburne Street, Raleigh, NC 27610
919-212-7000- Ask about adult Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services, energy assistance, or another benefit you need.
- Confirm application options, required documents, interview arrangements, and any emergency processing.
- Use ePASS where available, keep confirmation, and agree on the next follow-up. Eligibility is assessed by the program.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
Orange County
Legal Aid — Central Carolina office
205 West Main Street, Suite 203, Carrboro, NC 27510
919-542-0475- Use the official office directory or application to ask about adult civil legal help in Orange County.
- Visits are by appointment; confirm the location, case type, and eligibility.
- Keep notices and deadlines; contacting an office does not pause a court or appeal deadline.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
Durham County
Legal Aid — Durham office
411 West Chapel Hill Road, Suite 1A, Durham, NC 27701
919-688-6396- Ask about adult civil legal help for Durham County and whether the case is eligible.
- Confirm intake and appointment arrangements before visiting.
- Keep notices and deadlines; representation and case acceptance are not guaranteed.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
Wake County
Legal Aid — Raleigh office
1425 Promise Beacon Circle, Suite 201, Raleigh
- Use Legal Aid’s official office directory or application to request adult civil legal help for Wake County.
- Confirm the current address, intake arrangements, and case eligibility before visiting.
- Do not wait past a court or appeal deadline while seeking representation.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
Orange County
Orange County Courthouse
106 East Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-644-4500- Ask the clerk which office or form applies to the matter; court staff do not act as your lawyer.
- Confirm the hearing building, filing requirements, and deadlines from the notice.
- For a protective order or guardianship matter, use the official court instructions and seek legal advice.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
Durham County
Durham County Courthouse
510 South Dillard Street, Durham, NC 27701
919-808-3000- Ask the clerk which office or form applies to the matter; court staff do not act as your lawyer.
- Confirm the hearing building, filing requirements, and deadlines from the notice.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
Wake County
Wake County Courthouse
316 Fayetteville Street Mall, Raleigh, NC 27601
919-792-4000- Confirm the correct building: criminal matters may be at the Wake County Justice Center rather than this courthouse.
- Ask the clerk about forms, filing, and deadlines; court staff do not provide legal representation.
Official source checked November 4, 2026. Confirm current hours, eligibility, costs, and availability directly.
What to bring (checklist)
Step by step
- Use SSA’s official application website or find the local SSA office for an Orange, Durham, or Wake ZIP code to start. The call or online start can protect the "protective filing date," which matters for back pay.
- Fill out the application and the Adult Disability Report (SSA-3368). SSI applications for adults may need an interview.
- Sign the medical release (SSA-827) so SSA can get records.
- NC Disability Determination Services (DDS) reviews the medical file and may schedule a free consultative exam. Go to it.
- SSA uses a 5-step process: working above SGA? Severe condition? Meets a listed impairment? Can do past work? Can do any other work?
- Watch the mail and answer every letter and function report fast.
- If denied, appeal within 60 days (plus 5 days for mail).
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving out mental health or substance use treatment providers.
- Downplaying symptoms on function reports. Describe a bad day honestly.
- Missing the consultative exam.
- Not updating SSA when moving or changing phone numbers.
What to say when you call
"Hi, I'm calling to start an application for disability benefits for [name], who is here with me. We'd like to set a protective filing date today. Can you tell us whether to apply for SSI, SSDI, or both?"
Official sources
- SSA: Apply for disability
- SSA: Disability evaluation (Blue Book)
- SSA: Adult disability starter kit
- SSA: Find a local office
Last checked October 2026. Amounts and rules change, so confirm with the official source before sharing.