California

What are SSI and SSDI?

Social security disability insurance (SSDI) is a benefits program that provides disabled workers income. Usually, the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides benefits to workers who have sufficient work credits and paid enough Social Security taxes before suffering a disability.

Supplemental security income (SSI) is a need-based income provided by the Federal government. It is primarily for disabled individuals who have little to no income. SSI provides cash to disabled individuals for basic needs like clothing, food, and shelter.

Although they sound similar, SSDI and SSI are different. SSI is for disabled individuals with financial needs, while SSDI covers regular workers if they suffer a disability and can no longer work.

While applying for disability benefits can be intimidating, SSI and SSDI California disability advocates can help you navigate the process.

Understanding Social Security Disability Claims In California

California Disability Claim Advocates: You’ve often heard about SSDI or Social Security Disability Insurance before, and never even thought that one day you’d be needing it. However, due to uncontrolled circumstances, you find yourself needing assistance and don’t know where to begin! Being faced in this situation is often frustrating and emotionally-wrecking, which is why we have laid out everything you needed to know to learn more about Social Security Disability Claims in California.

Who Is Qualified To File For A Claim?

According to the Social Services website of the California department, there are numerous categories and situations wherein one can apply for disability claims in CA, and if a person has been diagnosed to have a permanent disability that inhibits the applicant to work in either his/her current job or even prevents that person to work on a new job similar to the previous occupation, then this one can apply.

The Social Security Administration has what they call as the impairment listing manual, or commonly referred to as the blue book, lists different kinds of impairments that will automatically qualify an applicant so they can be awarded for their claim. Take note, though, however, that even if your disability or impairment isn’t listed in the blue book, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re not qualified. It just takes a longer process. If you want to make sure that you’re going to be awarded with your claim and win this battle, working with a disability claim advisor can make this process less daunting and easier on your end.

The medical conditions listed in the blue book may include but are not limited to:

– Cardiovascular conditions such as coronary heart disease
– Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy
– Musculoskeletal issues including back disorders
– Cancer
– Immune system disorders including AIDS, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
– Mental disorders such as autism, depression, or schizophrenia

The Process For Filing Social Security Disability Claims in California

The entire process is pretty straightforward. The first step to take would be filling up an initial disability application. You can get this either from the local SSA (Social Security Administration) office. Alternatively, you may also hop online or get on the phone to have this filled up. Once the application form has been completed and received, this will be then forwarded to the Disability Determination Service Division for assessment. This is where a disability examiner will carefully assess your living conditions and see if you are qualified to receive disability benefits.

The Easy Way To Process SSD Claims in CA

While it’s possible to go through the entire process yourself, hiring experts and experienced individuals in this field may help you speed up the process and make sure that you’d be granted of your disability claims. Going through the disability alone can be a frustrating thing to worry about, and having California disability advocates and professionals assist you makes the entire claim process a breeze.

Working with these professionals can take off the heavy burden of worrying about the entire process. They can also help you get the maximum payout for your benefits. You are assisted in every single aspect of the process, and they’re the ones who are specifically aware of the best practices so you can get your claims and receive an outcome in your favor.

How to Apply for Disability in California

Step 1: File the initial application

To receive SSI or SSDI California benefits, you must fill out an initial application. The SSA can take up to a year to review an initial application. However, most applicants receive a decision within 3 to 6 months. 

The SSA denies most applications for SSDI and SSI. According to the SSA’s 2018 Annual Statistical Report, they only approved about 26% of all SSDI applications. While SSI application approval was slightly higher, it was still only about 32%.

If the SSA rejects your initial application, you can submit an appeal for reconsideration.

Step 2: Appeal for reconsideration

When the SSA declines your initial application, you have 60 days to notify them that you want your application reconsidered. During this process, other staff members in the same SSA office where you applied will review your application again.

Usually, the SSA processes a reconsideration appeal in 3 to 6 months. However, it is rare to have the initial decision overturned. During 2017, the SSA only accepted 9% of reconsiderations, which is lower than the average. 

If you receive a second rejection from the SSA, you can ask for a hearing in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ).

Step 3: Attend the hearing

After the SSA denies your appeal for reconsideration, you have 60 days to file for a hearing. Generally, it takes a long time to receive a hearing, usually around 12 to 16 months. During this stage, it is crucial to use witness testimony or medical experts to prove your case.

At the hearing, the ALJ will ask you questions about your disability. They may also ask how your disability impacts your ability to work. When attending a hearing, you should have an SSI or SSDI California disability advocate to help you.

When an applicant has a knowledgeable disability advocate to represent them, they are more likely to win their hearing.

SSI & SSDI California Disability Statistics

The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) reports that the average wait time for a hearing in California is 17.1 months. That is more than 2 months above the national average. However, California approves a higher percentage of applicants in the hearing stage than average, about 45%.

Some areas of California have shorter wait times and better approval percentages. For example, the Stockton office only has a wait time of 11 months, more than 6 months lower than the state average. Both Sacramento and San Rafael also approve more than 50% of their cases.

The office representing Los Angeles West has the longest wait time and the lowest approval percentage. The wait time for Los Angeles West is a staggering 21 months and they only approve 37% of cases.

SSI & SSDI California Hearing Offices

California is part of Region 9 of the SSA. The Region 9 headquarters is in San Francisco. There are also 16 additional hearing offices in California

When applying for SSI or SSDI in California, it is important to know which hearing office you will use and how long you can expect to wait for your hearing. Below is a list of SSDI California hearing offices for your convenience.

Fresno Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Suite 300

2440 Tulare Street

Fresno, CA 93721

Telephone: (866) 596-7568

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Fresno, Hanford, Madera, Merced, Porterville, Southeast Fresno, Visalia, West Fresno

Long Beach Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Federal Building, Suite 5300

501 West Ocean Boulevard

Long Beach, CA 90802

Telephone: (855) 532-0889

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Lakewood, Lancaster, Long Beach, Torrance

Los Angeles Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

City National Bank Building, Suite 1200

606 South Olive Street

Los Angeles, CA 90014

Telephone: (866) 488-2089

Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Crenshaw, Los Angeles (Downtown), University Village, Watts, Wilshire Center

Los Angeles Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Suite 400

12121 Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90025

Telephone: (866) 748-2089

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Burbank, Chatsworth, Culver City, Hollywood, Inglewood, Los Angeles Westwood, Panorama City, San Fernando, Santa Clarita

Moreno Valley Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

3rd Floor

22690 Cactus Avenue

Moreno Valley, CA 92553

Telephone: (866) 737-4503

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Blythe, Hemet, Indio, Moreno Valley, Morongo Basin, Palm Springs, Riverside

Norwalk Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Suite 250

12440 E. Imperial Highway

Norwalk, CA 90650

Telephone: (877) 870-6385

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Boyle Heights, Compton, Downey, Huntington Park, Montebello, Norwalk, Whittier

Oakland Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Oakland Federal Building, Suite 200N

1301 Clay Street

Oakland, CA 94612

Telephone: (866) 366-4916

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Antioch, Berkeley, East Oakland, Fremont, Hayward/Livermore (merged), Oakland, Richmond, San Leandro, Walnut Creek

Orange Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Centrum North, Suite 600

1120 West La Veta Avenue

Orange, CA 92868

Telephone: (866) 593-1447

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Anaheim, Brea, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Mission Viejo, Ontario, Pomona Valley, Santa Ana

Pasadena Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Pasadena Towers 1, Suite 500

800 E. Colorado Boulevard

Pasadena, CA 91101

Telephone: (866) 354-0220

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Alhambra, El Monte, Glendale, Glendora, Old Burbank, Pasadena, West Covina

Sacramento Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Suite 250

1610 Arden Way

Sacramento, CA 95815

Telephone: (866) 931-2544

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Auburn, Chico, Feather River, Oroville, Placerville, Redding, Roseville, Sacramento, Sacramento (North), Sacramento (South), Sacramento (West), Susanville

San Bernardino Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Suite 200

605 North Arrowhead Avenue

San Bernardino, CA 92401

Telephone: (866) 331-7127

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Fontana, San Bernardino, Victorville

San Diego Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Suite 800

525 B Street

San Diego, CA 92101

Telephone: (866) 331-2294

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Chula Vista, El Cajon, Kearny Mesa, La Mesa, National City, Pacific Beach, Oceanside, San Diego, San Marcos

San Francisco Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Equity Building, 16th Floor

301 Howard Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

Telephone: (866) 770-1221

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Bakersfield, Bakersfield-East Hills, Chinatown, Daly City, Delano, Mission, Parkside, San Francisco (Downtown), San Mateo, Western Addition

San Jose Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Robert F. Peckham Federal Building

280 South 1ST ST RM 330

San Jose, CA 95113-3005

Telephone: (866) 331-2219

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Campbell, Gilroy, Mountain View, Redwood City, Salinas, San Jose, San Jose (East), San Jose (South), Santa Cruz, Watsonville

San Rafael Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Suite 230

4040 Civic Center Drive

San Rafael, CA 94903

Telephone: (866) 814-3559

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Crescent City, Eureka, Lakeport, Napa, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Suisun, Ukiah, Vallejo

Santa Barbara Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Suite 206

222 East Carrillo Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Telephone: (866) 273-4953

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Oxnard, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Thousand Oaks, Ventura

Stockton Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Suite 100

3116 W. March Lane

Stockton, CA 95219

Telephone: (866) 494-3136

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services the following Social Security Field Offices: Lodi, Manteca, Modesto, Sonora, Stockton

Why Should I Hire an SSI or SSDI California Disability Advocate?

SSI or SSDI California disability advocates help with several parts of the disability application process. At GAR Disability Advocates, we help individuals file for disability benefits, manage their reconsideration appeals, and present a strong case at their hearings.

We do everything we can to help every step of the way. Our SSI & SSDI California disability advocates want to guide you through the intimidating disability benefits application process.

We offer a contingency-based service, which means we only get paid if you get your benefits. If you are not approved for benefits, you pay us nothing. 

If you need to apply for SSI or SSDI in California, call us today at 201-308-9520 or fill out our online form for a free evaluation.