You may want to apply for disability benefits if you experience a medical condition that prevents you from working and earning a living. In this situation, you can apply for benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Unfortunately, the SSA does not approve all claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) the first time. If you received a denial letter, you might want to appeal their decision. A Los Angeles denials and reconsiderations lawyer may be able to help you to secure disability benefits. Find out more by calling Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 and receiving a free case review from a team member.
Eligibility for SSDI or SSI Benefits in Los Angeles
Many individuals throughout the Los Angeles area choose to apply for SSDI or SSI benefits after developing a serious medical condition. However, you may only have your claim approved if you meet specific criteria. To get disability benefits, you must:
- Have a condition that meets the SSA standards of “disability.”
- Be unable to work your job or another job.
- Be unable to work for a significant period (generally at least one year).
You may have your initial application for SSDI or SSI benefits denied here in Los Angeles if you cannot prove that you meet all these qualifications. However, you could either reapply or appeal the SSA’s decision by providing it with additional information regarding your condition.
Note also that you can only receive SSDI benefits if you accrued “work credits” through your employment. SSDI benefits tie in directly to your payroll taxes. If you did not work a job and pay payroll taxes into the SSA system, you might be ineligible to receive SSDI benefits, regardless of the severity of your condition.
Conditions Covered by SSA Disability Benefits
The SSA provides disability benefits for individuals with many different medical conditions. These health conditions could include:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Lupus and other autoimmune disorders
- Mental disorders
SSDI or SSI could cover almost any medical condition, depending upon the severity of the ailment. However, if medical treatment can manage your condition, you may not be eligible to receive disability compensation.
You should also be aware that you require an official medical diagnosis to secure disability benefits. You may want to speak with a Los Angeles denials and reconsiderations lawyer to gather medical documentation related to your condition, but a lawyer cannot diagnose you with an ailment.
For a free legal consultation with a Denials and Reconsiderations Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Stages of a Disability Appeal in Los Angeles
Appealing a decision by the SSA in Los Angeles can be a multi-step process, depending upon your situation. You may want to move very quickly after you receive your initial denial. You only have a limited amount of time to appeal your claim. If you wait too long, the SSA will not consider your request, and you will have to reapply for benefits.
Here are the three primary steps in the appeal process.
Request for Reconsideration
After a denial for SSDI or SSI benefits, you may file a “Request for Reconsideration.” You only have 60 days to submit this request after you receive notification of your denial. A new examiner assesses your claim during this stage and may approve your claim if your appeal shows:
- Your initial determination was made in error.
- Your condition worsened since your initial claim.
- You received a new medical diagnosis.
You may also receive another denial during reconsideration. In this case, your claim moves on to stage two.
Disability Hearing
If your request for reconsideration also ends in a denial, you have 60 days to request a disability hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. This hearing provides you with an additional opportunity to explain your condition. You may need to field questions related to your:
- Current medical condition
- History of employment
- Limitations caused by your condition
A Los Angeles disability lawyer may be able to assist you during this hearing directly. Your lawyer can advise you about what to expect before the hearing. After the hearing, you may have to wait between 30 and 120 days after the hearing date to find out if your claim was approved or denied.
SSA Appeals Council
Your final option to appeal an SSDI or SSI claim in Los Angeles is to go directly to the SSA Appeals Council. This council has the ability to:
- Overturn decisions made previously by the SSA.
- Send your claim back to a disability hearing for reconsideration.
- Confirm the decision of the disability hearing.
Even if the SSA Appeals Council refuses your claim, you may have options to secure disability benefits. However, at this point, you may have to file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court to appeal the SSA’s decision.
Los Angeles Denials and Reconsiderations Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Get Legal Help with an SSA Appeal in Los Angeles
If your claim for disability benefits in Los Angeles was denied, you might want to get help from a disability attorney to appeal the decision. A Los Angeles denials and reconsiderations lawyer can review your medical records and focus on supporting your claim.
The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can take on tough cases here in Los Angeles. We may be able to help with any stage of the appeals process in order to help you get SSDI or SSI benefits. Make sure that you begin the appeals process quickly, as there is a time limit on your appeals. Call today to get the ball rolling.
Click to contact our Denials and Reconsiderations Lawyers today
Talk to a Los Angeles Denials and Reconsiderations Lawyer
Did the SSA deny your request for disability benefits in Los Angeles? In this situation, a Los Angeles denials and reconsiderations lawyer can help you with the appeals process. The team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can begin working on your claim right away, and we can assist with all stages of your appeal, up to filing a lawsuit if necessary.
Find out how we can help by calling (800) 794-0444 or completing our online contact form. Get answers about your claim today with a free consultation with a team member.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form