SSI & SSDI California Disability Advocates
What are SSI and SSDI in California?
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.
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