The Process of Getting Approved for Social Security Disability in California

by Staff Blogger | August 4th, 2015

Suffering from a debilitating injury or illness can be a financial strain due to the overwhelming medical bills that can accompany such a condition combined with an inability to work and earn income. Fortunately, many who are facing these types of circumstances may be capable of qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits; however, our California Social Security Disability attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers say the process to receive such compensation can be long and arduous. First, you must have worked long enough to qualify for benefits. This is determined using a credit system. American workers are awarded credits for the income they earn. In 2015, one credit is awarded for every $1,220 that is earned. Workers can only earn up to four credits per year, and many of the credits must have been earned in the past ten years. If you’ve worked long enough to receive benefits, then the Social Security Administration will begin determining if your condition is severe enough to warrant assistance. This determination can be complicated due to inconsistencies in decisions among caseworkers or judges and the fact that each condition must meet specific and different criteria. Many claims are initially denied because of factors like these, but a majority of applicants who enter the appeal process get the benefits they deserve. The director of the Stanford Institute of Economic Policy Research, Mark Duggan, explains in an article published by Stanford News that more than half of individuals who apply for Social Security Disability benefits are initially denied and enter the appeals process. Of those individuals, an estimated 60 percent of claims are later approved. Our California personal injury lawyers at Berg Injury Lawyers understand how complicated the Social Security Disability approval and appeals processes can be. That’s why we’re here to help if you’re struggling to get the Social Security Disability benefits you need and deserve. We’re here to answer your questions anytime—day or night. Just call (800) 400-2374.