South Gate, California is a city that spans 7.5 square miles at the southern tip of Los Angeles County. Located 12 miles southeast of Downtown Los Angeles, South Gate has a population of 94,396 residents according to recent U.S. Census numbers. While commercial activity for the city is concentrated in specific areas (Tweedy Mile, Firestone Blvd., El Paseo, and Hollydale), the local economy is still largely manufacturing, transportation, construction and retail work.
As of December 2010, the city of South Gate, which comprises the area of Huntington Park within the 90280 zip code, has a little over 8,000 individuals reportedly receiving either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Workers who have sustained injuries which keep them from being able to achieve gainful employment for at least twelve months may qualify to receive social security disability in South Gate, CA. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will first determine if you are an eligible worker by reviewing your work history for the last ten years to ensure you have earned enough work credits at a job covered by social security insurance (usually identified by the presence of Social Security/FICA taxes being withheld from your paycheck). If you have not earned enough work credits to participate in the program or were employed in a job not covered by Social Security, you may still be eligible for SSI.
Applying for South Gate Social Security Disability Benefits
Applying for social security disability benefits can be done either online or at your local SSA field office. Currently, the state of California has a 31% award rate for initial social security disability claims. Beside the non-medical eligibility requirements previously mentioned, if you are applying for social security disability, you will need to meet medical requirements as well. Many SSD cases are denied for lack of sufficient medical evidence to support the disability claims. It is not necessarily that the disability does not exist, but rather that the documentation provided is insufficient – perhaps some documentation is missing or the paper work itself is not in order. Considering the nuances inherent in presenting a strong social security disability case in South Gate, it would be to your advantage to hire a licensed South Gate social security disability attorney. A disability lawyer can help to ensure that your SSD application and all related documentation is in order and submitted in accordance with SSA guidelines.
If you have already applied for social security disability in South Gate and your claim was denied, you have the right to file a Request for Reconsideration. Once filed, the request will allow the SSA to send your file back for a second medical review with a different medical review panel. If your reconsideration is also denied (88% of California disability appeals are, in fact, denied), you can to have your South Gate social security disability case heard by an administrative law judge at the Downey hearing office. At the hearing level, 50.9% of SSD cases heard in the Downey office are awarded.
It is vitally important that you work with a South Gate SSD attorney on your case. If you are in the majority of claimants who end up having to file appeals, you South Gate SSD case can go on for more than a year. Having a disability lawyer represent you will help to expedite your case.
Listed below are the local Social Security Offices where a South Gate Social Security applicant can file a claim for disability benefits:
Huntington Park Social Security Field Office
6303 Rugby Ave
Huntington Park, CA 90255
South Gate Social Security Disability Resources
At the core of your South Gate SSD case are your medical records. It is essential that you are receiving proper medical treatment throughout the course of your disability. If you are uninsured or underinsured, there are free/reduced-cost health clinics located in the South Gate Area to assist you.
San Miguel Clinic
8204 Long Beach Boulevard Suite B
South Gate, CA 90280
(323) 588-3300
Clinica Medina
4149 Tweedy Blvd
South Gate, CA 90280
(323) 564-4545
Chapel Medical Clinic
3275 Tweedy Boulevard
South Gate, CA 90280
(323) 567-1212
Clinica Maria
8100 California Avenue Suite K
South Gate, CA 90280
(323) 357-1000
Your South Gate Disability Claim
Winning your South Gate social security disability case depends on having the right medical and non-medical documentation in place. Before you file a claim for SSD benefits, contact a South Gate disability attorney who can evaluate your case, provide guidance and help you to file the paperwork as it should be done.
The initial consultation with a disability lawyer is free and these individuals are only paid if you are awarded benefits. To learn more about hiring a Social Security attorney or to request a free evaluation of your case, click here.
