The mid-sized city of South Bend, IN, which is the seat of St. Joseph County in northern Indiana, reported a 2010 census population of 101,168. Key sectors playing a significant role in South Bend’s economy include education, healthcare, tourism and manufacturing.
South Bend is among the communities serviced by the Region 5 district office of the Social Security Administration, located in Chicago. The regional office receives nearly 20,000 new cases each year from the South Bend area and handles the distribution of Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income to almost 230,000 individuals.
SSDI is awarded to people who are unable to work as a result of total or complete disability. In order to qualify for SSDI, you must meet the SSA’s disability requirements and have accumulated sufficient work credits throughout the course of your employment during the previous decade. If you do not meet the work credit requirements for receiving SSD benefits, you may still be eligible for SSI.
Apply for South Bend Social Security Disability Benefits
The South Bend SSD application process is a long and complicated one, and applicants may go through several rounds of reviews. The Social Security Administration only approves about 29 percent of initial claims reviewed in the Chicago regional office from the State of Indiana, which means all other applicants must request a second review and many also need to file an appeal if they are denied a second time. With only about 5 percent of those who receive a second review of their SSD claim being found eligible for benefits, the majority of people who are initially denied benefits must proceed through the appeals process, which requires their cases are reviewed by an ALJ.
The most prominent reason for denial of South Bend Social Security Disability benefits claims is a lack of sufficient medical documentation, or the absence of specific and required medical test results. Hiring a South Bend Social Security attorney who is familiar with the SSA’s requirements about medical documentation is in your best interest. Doing so early in the disability application process can shorten your wait time for a decision and make it more likely you’ll be approved for benefits.
Listed below is the Social Security office which accepts South Bend disability applications:
South Bend Social Security Disability
602 S Michigan St., Ground Floor
South Bend, IN 46601
South Bend Social Security Disability Resources
In order to be found eligible for SSD benefits, you must show sufficient documentation that you’ve received ongoing medical care for any disabling conditions. This can be quite challenging when you have limited income. Here are some free and low cost South Bend disability resources for receiving medical treatment.
Indiana Health Center at South Bend
1901 W Western Ave., Suite B
South Bend, IN 46619
(574) 234-9033
E. Blair Warner Family Practice
714 N Michigan St.
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 647-7477
Indiana Health Center Project Homecoming
701 S Main St.
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 235-7990
Memorial Neighborhood Clinics
1708 High St.
South Bend, IN 46613
(574) 647-1400
Sister Maura Brannick Health Center
326 Chapin St.
South Bend, IN 46601
(574) 239-5255
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center -Immediate Care Center
211 Eddy St.
South Bend, IN 46617
(574) 246-8816
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Community Health Clinic
801 LaSalle Ave.
South Bend, IN 46617
(574) 237-7111
Your South Bend Disability Claim
Ensuring all of the right documentation is present in your case file, including the appropriate medical records, is critical to a favorable determination on SSD eligibility. Before you submit your initial application to your local SSA office, you should consider getting a free case evaluation from a South Bend Social Security lawyer. He or she will review your application and all the documentation of your case and make sure your file is as sound and thorough as possible in order to increase your chances of receiving SSD benefits. A South Bend disability lawyer can also argue your case at the appeals hearing, if necessary, and can help you prepare for testifying in front of the ALJ.
Disability attorneys charge no fees upfront and are only paid if you receive SSD benefits. To learn more about hiring a South Bend Social Security attorney or to receive a free case evaluation, click here.
