Applying For Disability In California

Over Age 50 Now Is The Time To Apply

Millions of people with disabilities apply for Social Security benefits every year. With so many people applying for disability benefits, nearly 70% of Social Security disability applicants are denied at the initial stage. Did you know that your claim may have a higher chance of approval if you’re 50 years old or over? There could be a big advantage to applying after age 50 due to the fact that the SSAs grid of medical-vocational rules tends to be more advantageous for individuals age 50 and older. This is mainly because the SSA recognizes that it can be challenging to be retrained for a new line of work after age 50, especially if you have limited education.

Even though applicants age 50+ may have better chances of getting approved, you might still need help to avoid a denial and lengthy appeals process. If you’re age 50 or older and would like to apply for SSDI benefits, you should speak with a disability advocate or attorney today. A Social Security attorney can determine if you’re eligible for SSDI, help you submit your paperwork to the Social Security Administration, and represent you at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, if necessary.

California Ssdi Hearing Wait Times & Approval By Office

California is part of the Social Security Administrations Region 9, which is headquartered in San Francisco, California. There are 17 hearing offices in California. You can see waiting times for hearings & case dispositions for each office below, with comparisons to California and National Averages.

The Hearing Wait Time is, on average, how long it takes in between when an applicant asks for a Hearing and when that hearing occurs.

The Average Disposition Time is, on average, the number of days in between when an applicant asks for a Hearing, and when the Administrative Law Judge who hears their case actually makes a decision on that case.

The Average Approval Rate is percentage at which cases are decided in favor of the applicant.

As the table here and the chart below indicate, in 2021, there are some offices that are clearly performing better than others.

For instance, some offices such as Norwalk, Oakland, San Diego have shorter hearing times California averages. However, California as a whole has a higher wait time than the National Average.

Fresno, with a 13.4 month average wait time, and San Jose, with a 13.4 month average wait time, are some of the slowest offices in the nation, and in 2021 so far, however, have approval rates are above the California average, and above the national average.

to see how!

How Much Does A Disability Attorney Cost In California

Knowing that your finances are an utmost concern, you should know that we do not take any attorneysâ fees in advance. Under SSA rules, attorney compensation is based on a percentage of the final award. This means that you pay us nothing until we obtain benefits for you.

Roeschke Law, LLC also offers free consultations. So you have nothing to lose by reaching out to our disability benefits attorneys today. We will take the time to listen to your story, learn about your medical condition, and help you overcome the obstacles associated with obtaining disability benefits.

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How Will I Receive My State Disability Insurance Payments

You will be able to select your payment option when you file your claim.

• EDD Debit Card: If eligible, benefit payments are issued on the EDD Debit Card within 24 hours of processing your certification and immediately available to you.

• EDD Checks by Mail: If eligible, benefit payments are issued by EDD check within 24 hours of processing your certification. Allow 7 to 10 days for delivery of checks in the mail.

Hearing Offices In California & The Ssa Offices They Serve

These are the Office of Hearing Operations offices in California. These offices are where hearings are scheduled and generally conducted. Each OHO office supports a number of regional Social Security Administration field offices. You are likely to have your hearing scheduled with a Judge who works in the OHO office that supports the SSA field office nearest to you.

Regional Office Region 9 San Francisco SSA, OHO 5th Floor 555 Battery Street San Francisco, California 94111 964-7584 705-2020 Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada American Samoa, Guam, Saipan

Hearing Office Region 9 Fresno SSA, OHO Suite 300 2440 Tulare Street Fresno, California 93721 596-7568 443-1281 394-4582 Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CALIFORNIA: Fresno, Hanford, Madera, Merced, Porterville, Southeast Fresno, Visalia, West Fresno

Hearing Office Region 9 Long Beach SSA, OHO Federal Building, Suite 5300 501 West Ocean Boulevard Long Beach, California 90802 532-0889 980-4131 394-4587 Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CALIFORNIA: Lakewood, Long Beach, San Pedro, Torrance

Hearing Office Region 9 Los Angeles SSA, OHO City National Bank Building, Suite 1200 606 South Olive Street Los Angeles, California 90014 488-0517 894-2595 394-4583 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CALIFORNIA: Crenshaw, Los Angeles , University Village, Watts, Wilshire Center

Hearing Office Region 9 Stockton SSA, OHO Suite 100 3116 W. March Lane Stockton, California 95219

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What Is The Process Of Applying For Disability Benefits In Southern California

To obtain disability benefits, you must submit an application with a local Social Security Administration field office by mail, online, or in person. The application must include the following personal information:

• Social Security Number
• Names and dosages of prescription medications
• Detailed work history

Additionally, the application contains questionnaires about your educational background and work experience, as well as the limitations your condition imposes on daily activities. Finally, your claim must include medical evidence demonstrating that you have a qualifying medical condition and your impairment is severe enough to prevent you from working.

It is critically important that your application be accurate and thorough. If there are mistakes or omissions, your claim will be denied. By working with our experienced disability lawyers, you will have peace of mind in knowing that your benefits claim will be properly handled.

Do You Need A Social Security Disability Attorney

Being disabled and not having the means to support yourself is an overwhelming burden. While the SSAâs disability benefits programs are intended to be a hand up, navigating the maze of the federal bureaucracy when you are battling a medical condition is daunting. Faced with pain and suffering, an extended loss of income, and mounting medical expenses, you likely have concerns about meeting your needs today and into the future.

Disability Attorneys of California will address those concerns by taking the time to explain all of your rights, understand your medical and financial needs, and fight for the disability benefits you deserve. When you consult Roeschke Law, LLC, you will have peace of mind knowing that your benefits claim is in good hands. We will leverage our knowledge of the SSAâs rules and our established relationships with disability examiners to handle your claim with the urgency it deserves.

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Working With Your Legal Team To Win Your Ssd Case

Finally, our legal team cannot file an application for benefits in California without your help. That is why we say we are your legal team. Because, a team requires the best from all of the players. We may be experts at the law, but you are the expert about your life. Our team needs to know why you cannot work. We need to know when you stopped working. Likewise, you need to explain the symptoms of your illness to us.

First, you need to become our client. You can review the forms we need to you to sign here. Once we receive these forms, we can represent you. We will help you file your application for benefits.

After we file your application, we will also collect your medical records. We will also need your help to do collect your records from your doctors. Likewise, we need records from your counselors or any mental health clinics. If you dont give us the information about your doctors, then we cant contact them for you.

Californias Ssi State Supplement

Recipients of Supplemental Security Income in the state of California will receive a state supplemental benefit in addition to their monthly SSI benefit check. These additional benefits are given to compensate for the increase in the cost of living within the state of California over time. The amount of additional benefits a claimant may receive depends on their current living situation. The chart below shows the state supplemental benefit payment amounts for 2015.

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How To Apply And Eligibility For Disability Leave In California

California is one of the few states that have short-term disability leave which is actually a paid insurance for the employees. Many people refer to this program that is fully supportive for the employees to move around the states.The same thing is done here who are giving the paid disability leave where the employees are eagerly looking it. Of course, the workers are finding this short-term disability leave through their payroll deduction and receive benefits from it.

The family members use the bond which in turn gives them excellent choice for identifying the paid leave for disability workers. An employer must provide by long-term disability policy where they often used to get the best time for spending for relaxation. Most California employers are required to get this act which comes under a reliable insurance program for them. So, they are eligible for applying for the California Disability Leave 2018 for everyone.

Also, you are eligible for applying the PFL in order to care for a disability in family or bond with a new child. As a result, you will gain importance of the law where it makes you get time off during the working period.

Coverage A Or Coverage B

In general, the basic disability benefit available under both types of coverage is 50% of your final compensation. The maximum benefit you can receive, including benefits for eligible dependent children, is 90% of your final compensation.

The Coverage A disability benefit is generally 50 percent of final compensation. The Coverage A disability benefit will be paid as long as you remain disabled or until you reach age 60. At age 60, your disability benefit will end and you must apply for service retirement to receive a monthly benefit. Your disability benefit may continue beyond age 60 only if you have eligible children and remain disabled.

To qualify for a disability benefit under Coverage A you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be less than age 60.
• You must have five or more years of credited service.
• Your last five years of credited service must have been performed in California. Four of the five years of credit must be for actual performance of creditable service. You must have earned at least one year of service credit following a service retirement termination, or following the most recent refund of your accumulated contributions.

If you plan to reinstate to active member status, first make an appointment with a CalSTRS benefits specialist to discuss important considerations, including how your future benefits may be affected.

To apply for a disability retirement benefit, you must either:

There are no age restrictions.

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How Does Long Term Disability Work In California

Does Sdi Cover Pregnancy

Yes. For a pregnancy without complications, the benefit period is generally from four weeks before your due date to six weeks after your delivery. If your pregnancy prevents you from working before or after that period, your doctor has to explain why on the claim form.

Note: This article focuses on SDI for people with disabilities and Paid Family Leave for people taking care of a person with a disability. If you have questions about Pregnancy Disability Leave, contact the EDD.

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How Much Will I Receive From Sdi

Your benefit amount is calculated based on the amount of earnings you had in the highest-earning quarter of your base period, and is about 60-70 percent of your regular earnings. In 2018, the maximum amount of SDI you can receive is $1,216 per week. SDI payments are processed every two weeks.

The entire amount you receive in SDI benefits from a single claim may not exceed the total amount of wages you earned during your base period.

Dds Examines Your Case For Ssd Eligiblity

After you file for benefits in California, the Claims Examiner reviews your case. The Claims Examiner looks at your medical records to see if you qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. If you have questions or need to submit medical records, then you can submit information to DDS.

The Claims Examiner decides whether you meet SSAs rules to win benefits at the initial stage of your claim. They also make a decision at the reconsideration level. Find out more about disability in certain California cities here.

It is possible that the Claims Examiner will decide there is not enough medical evidence to determine if you can get benefits. If that is the case, then DDS may send you to a Consultative Examination. A Consultative Examination is when you visit a doctor for a one time exam. It is also free for you. For tips on what to expect at a Consultative Examination go here.

If the Claims Examiner denies your case, then you will need to file a Request for a Hearing. We can do that for you. Your hearing request is due within 60 days of the date of the denial. It is important to file any appeal on time. For instance, you only have 60 days to appeal SSAs decision. You do not want to want to miss the 60 day time limit. If you do, you may need to start your application over. Unfortunately, you would then lose the benefits you would get under your first application.

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Getting Your Application Ready

Get your information ready for the SSDI application:

• Names, addresses, and phone numbers of doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics, and others who have treated you
• Prescriptions and results of medical tests
• Copies of medical records
• Your Social Security Number and the Social Security Numbers of your spouse and any children under the age of 18
• A certified copy of your birth certificate
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or of legal residency, if you were born outside the U.S., like naturalization papers, your U.S. passport, or your green card
• A certified copy of your military discharge papers , if you were in the military
• Tip: If you are a veteran, let Social Security know. Social Security may review your application faster.

Social Security provides a detailed checklist of the information you need to complete the application process.

Applying For Social Security Disability Benefits

Disability Advocates Group regularly assists clients who are applying for disability benefits in Southern California. If you or a loved one cannot work due to a medical impairment, we will fight to protect your rights. Our disability lawyers are well-versed in Social Securitys strict eligibility requirements and can help you avoid the common pitfalls of submitting a benefits claim.

Although the application process is complicated and the majority of initial claims are denied, working with a skilled disability lawyer greatly improves your prospects of obtaining disability benefits. When you consult with us, we will handle all the details of your claim and remove the stress from the process. While dealing with the government can make you feel like a number, your claim will be our priority. Above all, we will always put your best interests first and treat you with the dignity and respect you deserve.

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The Disability Determination Services Review

Disability Determination Services will conduct a review of your claim with an emphasis on medical records. In particular, DDS will consider whether you can do the same type of work you did before the onset of your impairment. If you are not capable of performing that job, DDS will then determine whether you can be retrained for another type of work.

While the SSA maintains a list of impairments that qualify for disability benefits, the DDS may need an independent medical opinion to make a final determination. In this situation, you will be required to participate in one or more consultative exams. Because such exams only indicate the status of your condition at that time, it is crucial to build a substantial medical record. Thats where Disability Advocates Group comes in. We will work to compile the necessary medical evidence to support your claim. This includes exam notes, lab tests, radiological exams, surgical history, rehabilitative care, and any other relevant medical data.

If your claim is approved, DDS will send you a letter indicating the monthly benefit amount and the date on which you can expect to start receiving payments. Because it may take 6 months or longer to process a claim, benefits may be awarded retroactively. If DDS denies your claim, however, the letter will provide a reason for the denial and inform you of your right to appeal.

Contact Our Los Angeles Disability Attorney