Lakeland, Florida is located almost exactly half way between the cities of Tampa and Orlando in Polk County. The city reported a population of about 95,000 in the last census and depends heavily on the agricultural, mining, tourism, transportation, insurance and finance industries.
The Social Security Administration’s Region 4 District Office in Atlanta, GA serves Lakeland and sees about 60,122 new SSD claims annually for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The same office also distributes benefits payments to around 563,000 individuals.
SSDI benefits are designed to provide income for individuals who’ve been unable to hold a job for an extended period resulting from a long-term or permanent disability. In addition to having a disabling condition, you must also have sufficient work credits built up over the last decade in order to qualify for SSDI under the Social Security Administration’s guidelines. If you do not meet the requirements for SSDI benefits, you may still qualify for SSI.
Apply for Lakeland Social Security Disability Benefits
Applying for Lakeland Social Security Disability benefits is a complex process. It can also take a number of months to complete. The Social Security Administration (SSA) approves about 27 percent of the initial claims seen in the Atlanta regional office. The remaining claims – those initially denied benefits – must proceed through a second review and about 9 percent of SSDI applicants are approved for benefits during the reconsideration.
For those SSD applicants who are denied a second time, the next step is to file an appeal, which sends the case before an administrative law judge to determine eligibility. Having the assistance of a Lakeland Social Security Disability attorney throughout this process increases your chances of receiving SSDI benefits.
The majority of Lakeland disability claims which are denied are missing the appropriate medical records and other documentation. A Lakeland disability lawyer can review your case file and ensure you receive the appropriate medical tests and other procedures to sufficiently document your disability according to SSA guidelines and standards.
A Lakeland Social Security lawyer can increase your chances of receiving SSDI benefits during the initial or second review stages of the application process. Your Lakeland disability attorney can also argue your case at the appeals hearing if you must go before an administrative law judge.
Below is the Social Security office through which Lakeland disability benefit claims are processed:
Lakeland Social Security Disability Office
550 Commerce Dr,
Lakeland, FL 33813
Lakeland Social Security Disability Resources
In order to receive SSDI benefits in Lakeland, you must show you’ve gotten ongoing treatment for the medical conditions which are causing your disability. This can be difficult with limited financial resources with which to pay for medical care. Here are some of the Lakeland disability resources for free and low cost medical services.
Lakeland Primary Care
936 E Parker St,
Lakeland, FL 33801-1968
(863)413-8600
Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine
1021 Lakeland Hills Blvd,
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863)688-5846
Talbot House Ministry
814 N Kentucky Ave,
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863)687-8475
Your Lakeland Disability Claim
It’s essential to have the appropriate medical documentation within your SSDI claim. Before submitting your initial application to the SSA, you should consider having a Lakeland Social Security Disability lawyer review your case file. He or she can tell you if any documentation is missing and can help you get the right records into your file.
A Lakeland disability attorney can also walk you through the application and review processes, making it all easier to understand. Additionally, if you have to file an appeal or request a second review of your claim, your Lakeland disability lawyer can assist with these steps, including arguing your case before the administrative law judge in the hearing.
