Bordering the west side of Wisconsin, overlooking the Mississippi River, lies the town of La Crosse. As the largest city in the western part of the state, La Crosse is home to many well-established companies. With a low unemployment rate and a growing job market, it’s no wonder that over 50,000 Wisconsin residents call La Crosse their home.
Despite a thriving economy, not all La Crosse residents are included in the workforce. Unfortunately, some individuals living in the La Crosse area are unable to hold down employment as a direct result of a severe health condition.
Thankfully, La Crosse is a town rich in resources for those who are disabled. In fact, health services make up the largest employment sector in the area. As such, there are many excellent health care practitioners serving patients in La Crosse. Additionally, La Crosse residents may be eligible for disability assistance from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Health Resources for Individuals Living in La Crosse
Individuals facing a newly diagnosed illness or worsening chronic health condition may feel overwhelmed. In addition to navigating their health crisis, they must also figure out how to continue making ends meet financially. This can be an arduous task between doctor’s appointments, medical treatments, and not feeling well. For some, continued employment may simply be out of the question. These individuals may be candidates for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program.
The SSDI program is a federal program aimed at offering financial help to qualified individuals who have previously paid employment taxes into the system. Reserved for the sickest patients, an SSDI award can mean the difference between financial independence and poverty for many individuals. Unfortunately, earning an SSDI award is not easy. In addition to meeting the technical qualifications, SSDI candidates must be able to prove that the symptoms from their illness are so severe as to prevent them from working at their most recent job or any other job for which they are qualified.
Perhaps one of the most important steps that SSDI applicants can take to enhance their chances for approval is to build a strong relationship with their doctor. During the application process, the SSA will request any relevant medical records from your health care providers and hospitals where you have received care. They will carefully examine medical test results, surgical records, documentation of medications or treatments received, and your response to treatment. The SSA will pay close attention to the visit notes from any health care providers that you have seen.
Patients often see many doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals throughout the course of their illness. Therefore, the SSA will look to the physician who knows you best to help guide their disability decision. It’s highly beneficial to your claim to have repeated visits with one doctor. In this way, the SSA can easily track the progress of your illness and evaluate how your treatments are impacting your symptoms and ability to work.
Many disability candidates are surprised to find out that their doctor may not be familiar with the Social Security process. Once you have decided that you will be applying for disability benefits, it’s recommended that you discuss your intentions with your doctor. Together you may want to review the Blue Book. The Blue Book is the online manual created by the SSA that outlines the criteria which must be fulfilled to be granted an award.
There are numerous excellent doctors in the La Crosse area. If you have yet to establish a relationship with a physician, listed below are three highly-regarded practices.
Gundersen Health System Primary Care
Gundersen La Crosse Campus
1900 South Avenue
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 782-7300
gundersenhealth.org/locations/la-crosse-campus/
Mayo Health System Primary Care
Family Health Clinic
815 Tenth Street South
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 392-7390
mayoclinichealthsystem.org/locations/la-crosse
Neighborhood Family Clinics
1526 Rose Street
La Crosse, WI 54603
(608) 781-9880
mynfclinics.com
Applying for Social Security Disability in La Crosse
Millions of disability applicants compete for a limited amount of funds made available by the Social Security Administration. As with many places throughout the country, the wait time for disability approval in La Crosse can be extensive. In fact, some Wisconsin residents have waited up to two years to learn whether or not they would be approved for disability benefits. As such, it’s best to apply for disability benefits immediately.
As the name implies, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are made available to individuals who have paid taxes into the system. These “insured” individuals are required to have worked a minimum number of hours, also referred to as “work credits” within the last ten years to qualify for disability benefits.
Even those who work hard enough to earn the required work credits may not be granted an award. Individuals must meet the stringent health guidelines as outlined by the SSA in the Blue Book. Applicants must be able to prove through the use of medical documentation that their health condition is so severe such as to prevent them from working.
SSDI benefits are meant for those individuals who are deemed permanently disabled. By definition, an individual seeking financial assistance from the government for a disability must be able to prove that the symptoms from their illness are expected to keep them out of work for at least 12 months.
There are a handful of options available to complete a Social Security disability application. The majority of claims are submitted through the online database. However, some applicants prefer to mail in a paper application. For those looking for further assistance, there is the option of visiting a Social Security office in person. Listed below are three offices within driving distance to La Crosse.
La Crosse Social Security Office 54601
210 7th St S Ste 100
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601
(866) 770-2345
Eau Claire Social Security Office 54701
4120 Oakwood Hills Parkway
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(866) 815-2924
Lancaster Social Security Office 53813
175 W Alona Lane
Lancaster, WI 53813
(800) 772-1213
Can a Social Security Lawyer Help Me Win My Claim in La Crosse?
As noted earlier, there are millions of people vying for a finite amount of disability funds made available by the SSA. To win an award, applicants must have a carefully completed application that is free from errors, as well as a substantial amount of evidence to support their claim. Even with all of this information, some well-deserving candidates are denied the disability benefits that they so desperately need.
Many individuals seeking Social Security disability benefits have had success in working with a qualified lawyer. Attorneys who specialize in Social Security issues are skilled at helping clients gather the right information to win their case.
