Los Angeles, otherwise known as “The City of Angels,” boasts a population of 3,792,621 (2010 Census Bureau), and is the most populous city in California as well as the second most populous in the United States. The estimated median household income is $48,617 (2009 LA City Data), and the current economic climate is considered bleak, but under reparation. Contributing statistics of this economic climate are such factors as unemployment rolling in above the national average at 13.4% for Los Angeles and 12.3% for the state of California.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) reported that as of December 2010, approximately 1,148,135 in California receive Social Security Disability (SSDI or SSI) benefits, and of that approximately 142,095 are on disability in the Los Angeles Area. The basis of awarding Social Security Disability is that a claimant is unable to work due to a documented medical disability. This disability is expected to last at least twelve months or more and/or result in death. Contributing to the “system” through payroll taxes, other wise know as the FICA deduction, can qualify an individual or a dependent of an individual. If enough work credits have been earned in the past work history of individual, you may be eligible to apply for SSDI. If you do not have sufficient work credits or were employed in a job not covered by Social Security, you may still be eligible for SSI. A Los Angeles Disability attorney can help determine if you individual case meets the standard work credits required to apply for benefits, either SSDI or SSI. By definition alone, disability for both programs (SSI and SSDI), is the inability to engage in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA or paid work) by reason of documented medical impairment, which is the most significant factor to an approval of benefits.
Applying for Los Angeles Social Security Disability Benefits
Applying for Los Angeles Social Security Disability benefits can be done at a local field office or through an online application. Regardless, consulting a Los Angeles Disability lawyer from the beginning of the process is a necessity in order to make sure you have a strong case, worthy of an approval by the SSA. A Los Angeles Social Security attorney can help evaluated your case, come up with an initial checklist of the extensive collection of personal information needed for the initial application process. The most information needed is an extensive collection of medical records documenting the disabling condition by certified medical practitioners. Medical records can include psychological and physiological. Implementing organization to the myriad of final rulings by these practitioners is only one of many jobs of the Los Angeles Disability attorney. After the initial application, assisted by the Los Angeles Disability lawyer has been submitted. An approval or denial of the Disability benefits will be submitted approximately 80 – 120 days after the application is file. In California, 2008 statistics show that 39% of cases win at application and approximately 13% win at reconsideration. Request for hearing to date of hearing can be up to 387 days. Problem-solving by professionals is a necessity to determine the source(s) of the denial. Having a Los Angeles Social Security lawyer to fully take on this task will uncover a list of reasons including “holes” in timelines, insufficient medical documentation on one of many disabilities, or misplaced paperwork. Organization of paperwork and filing requires professional legal help, just as the diagnosis of the individual’s disability. Disability attorneys in Los Angeles also understand other social factors, unique to Los Angeles, such as past case rulings and the judges who made these rulings, at the Hearing stage of the process. There are four possible steps in the disability appeals process: Request for Reconsideration, Disability Hearing, an Appeals Council Review, and a Federal Court Appeal. A Los Angeles attorney is a necessity at any of the appeals stages, in particular, to take the needed proactive-approach in filing all correlating SSA forms, medical documentation submitted after the initial application showing continued care, and most important, the preparation for the Disability Determination onsite interviews and possible testimony before the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) at the hearing stage. It is proven, approvals can increase if an attorney is hired from the initial application, and reconsideration approvals dramatically increase of with the advocacy of a Los Angeles Disability Attorney.
California pays above the federal rate, which includes a state supplement. Disability benefits, state and federal amounts combined, range from $845 to $1,086, per month (SSDI amount average per disabled worker $1051.00) through an initial assessment of an individual’s status, a Los Angeles Social Security Lawyers can estimate a monthly benefit amount. Differentiations of this monthly benefit amount are probable, and your lawyer can advocate for an increase, if one is applicable for factors such as “Independent Living Status.”
Listed below are the local Social Security Offices where a Los Angeles Security applicant can file a claim for disability benefits:
Los Angeles Social Security Disability
University Village
1115 W Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007
For a complete list of Social Security Offices in Los Angeles, please visit ssa.gov.
Los Angeles Social Security Disability Resources
Obtaining a proper medical diagnosis and being treated for this medical disability can be financially challenging. Below are clinics and medical facilities to assist economically-challenged individuals or can be helpful in referrals.
Northeast Community Clinic
2880 E Gage Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
323-826-1554
Joshua House Clinic
311 Winston Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013-1519
213-893-1960 x115
Los Angeles Mission- Anne Douglas Center
303 E 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013-1505
213-629-1227
JWCH/Safe Harbor Women's Clinic
721 E 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013-2110
213-622-4073
NOTE: If benefits are awarded, most individuals will qualify for medical assistance, specifically called Medi-Cal.
Your Los Angeles Disability Claim
There are a number important steps to an individuals claim, start to finish, that can affect the final decision by the SSA. Relevant medical information, being the most important, should be submitted in its entirety immediately when applying for Los Angeles disability benefits. Constant communication between the individual and the Los Angeles Disability Attorney can be very important due to timeliness of filing, re-submitting of forms, and the amount of time to submit (60 days) a reconsideration of a decision in the appeal process.
Disability lawyers are paid on a contingency basis is not paid unless you are awarded disability benefits. Click here for a free case evaluation from a Los Angeles social security attorney.
