With a population of over 201,000, Modesto is one of the larger cities in North-Central California. The city was originally designed as a railroad stop between Los Angeles and Sacramento and has historically relied on the rich and diverse agricultural land surrounding it for its economic development.
In addition to agriculture, the arts are heavily promoted in the Modesto area. Modesto’s Gallo Center for the Arts is widely recognized for its high quality productions and draws a significant amount of tourism to the area. Modesto also benefits from the tourism that comes from being part of California’s wine country.
Seven of Modesto’s top ten employers are agricultural companies. The largest is the Ernest and Julio Gallo winery, the largest winery in the world. Modesto is also home to the world’s largest producer of wine bottles. Other significant employers include packaging/container companies and Racor, a company which works with motion and control technology.
Like most major cities, major retailers, restaurants, and service industries play a significant role in the local economy. The public school system and area hospitals and health clinics are amongst the city’s major employers.
A full 24% of Modesto residents claim some form of disabling condition, a number significantly higher than the national average. Of these, less than half (49.5%) are able to find meaningful employment. This is due, in large part, to the prevalence of agricultural jobs, which typically are very physical, in the area. The area also has a high unemployment rate (27.5%) amongst the general working age population, which may also contribute to the difficulty disabled persons have with finding work locally.
If you live in Modesto and are disabled to the point that you cannot perform any work for which you are qualified, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. If you think you may be eligible, you should notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) of your intent to file immediately. Notifying the SSA of your intent does not obligate you to actually file for disability benefits, but it does establish a protective filing date, which can affect the amount of back pay you are entitled to and can help establish the date on which your disability started for the purpose of showing that your disability is expected to last at least 12 months.
Apply for Modesto Social Security Disability Benefits
After you have notified the SSA of your intent to file, you should strongly consider consulting with a Modesto Social Security disability attorney. An initial consultation is free, and it can help you determine whether you are likely to be approved for disability benefits.
Having a Modesto disability lawyer represent you during the disability application process (and the appeals process, if necessary) greatly increases your chances of having your claim accepted. Seventy percent of unrepresented claims are denied. While some claims presented by an experienced Modesto Social Security disability attorney are still turned down, having a qualified representative who is already familiar with your claim will be helpful during the appeals process.
If you need to pick up or drop off paperwork or prefer to inform the SSA of your intent to file in person, the Social Security Offices nearest to you is:
Modesto Social Security Disability
Suite E1, 1521 N. Carpenter Rd.
Modesto, CA 95351
Modesto Social Security Disability Resources
It’s important to receive all needed medical treatment while applying for disability benefits. Your health and medical records are a key component in proving that you are completely disabled and can’t be expected to continue working at any kind of gainful employment.
It’s also important that your Modesto Social Security disability lawyer has communication with your doctor. Although the SSA will consider all medical records, it will help you if the medical records are filled out using the kind of verbiage the SSA adjudicators are looking for. Specifically, your medical records should reflect what kinds of restrictions you are under regarding standing, sitting, lifting, pushing, pulling, and performing other mental or physical tasks.
If you are unable to afford adequate medical care, go to one of these income-based or free health clinics in the Modesto area:
GVHC-West Modesto
1114 6th St.
Modesto, CA 95354
(209)576-2845
Paradise Medical Office
401 Paradise Rd. Ste E
Modesto, CA 95351
(209)558-5107
Your Modesto Social Security Disability Claim
If you live in Modesto and are planning on claiming Social Security disability benefits, continue receiving medical treatment and consider contacting a Modesto Social Security attorney first. Not only is your claim more likely to be approved, but you are likely to start receiving benefits faster if you have competent representation.
There is no cost to you up front, and all lawyer’s fees will be taken from the back pay you receive when your benefits are first approved. You will not have to pay your Modesto Social Security disability attorney anything out of your ongoing benefit payments.
Please fill out the free disability evaluation form located on this site if you are interested in a free evaluation of your claim.
