You may experience an injury that leaves you with a disability in Los Angeles. In this situation, you could be able to get compensation with:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
However, it may be difficult to secure the benefits you need in California. You may work with a Los Angeles disability benefits lawyer if you need help filing an initial claim or if you want to appeal a denial of disability benefits. Get legal help now from the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm by calling (800) 794-0444.
Conditions That Allow You to Apply for Disability Benefits
You should be aware that not all illnesses or ailments may allow you to apply for SSDI or SSI benefits in Los Angeles. In fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) may only provide benefits to people who have a qualifying condition that is expected to last for at least a year. When determining if your condition is disabling or not, the SSA may consider:
- Whether or not you are working
- Whether or not you could return to the job you previously held
- Whether or not you could return to work in a different job
- If your condition is classified as “severe”
- If your condition is on their list of conditions that are disabling
Considering these questions from the SSA may help you determine if you qualify for SSDI or SSI or not. Examples of conditions that may be considered disabling in Los Angeles include:
- Back and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Cancer
- Complications from diabetes
- Orthopedic injuries
In addition to these physical conditions, some mental conditions may qualify as a disabling condition in Los Angeles. This including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic attacks. You may speak with a Los Angeles disability benefits lawyer to determine if your condition could be considered disabling or not.
Your Work History and SSDI or SSI Claims in California
The SSA may provide you with disability benefits if you are hurt and unable to work. However, you should be aware that you may not be eligible to receive these benefits in all situations, even if you have a disabling condition.
You may only receive SSA benefits if you worked for a specific amount of time in certain qualifying jobs. Some jobs require you to pay into the SSA program. If you pay into this program for a long enough period of time – generally around 10 years of full-time work – you may then be able to request SSDI benefits.
Additionally, SSDI benefits are generally not available if your disabling condition seems unlikely to last very long. Disability benefits may only be available to you if you are likely to disabled for a year or more. These eligibility requirements should be considered when you think about applying for SSDI benefits in Los Angeles.
For a free legal consultation with a Disability Benefits Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Compare SSDI and SSI Benefits in Los Angeles
You could be eligible to receive SSDI and SSI benefits in California. However, these benefits are not offered in the same way. As we mentioned, SSDI benefits are tied to payroll taxes that you pay while working. You must have paid a certain amount into the system to get SSDI benefits. You must wait five months after you experience a disabling condition to apply for SSDI benefits in many cases.
Note that SSDI benefits are designed to provide you with payments to cover some of the wages you are losing while unable to work. They do not provide 100% of your monthly wages, however. Instead, you may be awarded a percentage of what you would normally earn.
Additionally, you could become eligible to receive Medicare if you are on SSDI benefits for at least two years. These additional benefits may help you cover your medical expenses.
SSI benefits, however, are provided to low-income individuals who may have a disability. You do not have to work for a certain amount of time to receive SSI benefits. However, you must have very few assets (under $2,000 for a single individual) to qualify to receive SSI benefits. You may begin to receive SSI benefits in the same month that you apply.
You should be aware that the approval rates are higher if you apply to receive SSDI benefits. However, many SSDI and SSI claims are denied each year in Los Angeles, preventing individuals from getting compensation after they experience a disabling condition.
Los Angeles Disability Benefits Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Get Help Before You Apply for Disability Benefits
As we mentioned, you may have to wait up to five months to apply for SSDI benefits in California. This may give you time to prepare your application thoroughly. In order to receive an approval, your lawyer may need to show that:
- You cannot work in your previous job or a different job
- You have a condition that qualifies as disabling
It’s likely you’ll need an official medical diagnosis to get compensation through SSDI or SSI benefits. A lawyer cannot provide you with a medical diagnosis. You may need to contact a doctor in order to have your ailment assessed, diagnosed, and treated.
Providing your medical records when you apply for disability benefits is very important. A lawyer may be able to help you ensure you have your records in order. A Los Angeles disability benefits lawyer may also be able to help if you received an initial denial for your SSDI or SSI claim in Los Angeles.
Just because your claim was denied initially, you could still be granted benefits upon an appeal. The team at the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to help you reapply for benefits. Find out more about how we could help by contacting us right now.
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Take Charge with a Los Angeles Disability Benefits Lawyer
Did you experience an injury that left you with a disability in Los Angeles? You could qualify to receive SSDI or SSI benefits. Find out more about how to secure benefits in your case by contacting a Los Angeles disability benefits lawyer right now. You may speak to a team member at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm by contacting us for a free consultation.
Start building your claim by completing our online contact form or calling (800) 794-0444.
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