At Berg Injury Lawyers, we understand how challenging it can be to navigate California’s Social Security Disability (SSD) system if an injury or illness is keeping you out of work. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping Sacramento residents get the benefits they deserve. Whether you’re applying for the first time or appealing a denial, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Understanding Social Security Disability Benefits
What Are Social Security Disability Benefits?
Social Security Disability benefits provide financial support to people who cannot work due to a severe medical condition or a disabling injury. There are two main types of benefits:
- SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance): This insurance is available to people who have paid into the Social Security system through their work.
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income): These benefits are designed for people with limited income and resources, regardless of their work history.
Who Qualifies for SSD Benefits?
To qualify for SSD benefits, you must meet certain medical and non-medical criteria:
- Medical Criteria: You must have an injury or medical condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least one year or result in death. Common conditions that qualify include severe musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, cardiovascular conditions, mental disorders, chronic illnesses, traumatic brain injuries, and more.
- Non-Medical Criteria: To be eligible for SSDI, you must have earned enough work credits through your previous employment. To be eligible for SSI, you must have limited income and resources.
The Social Security Disability Application Process
There are many steps to the SSD application process. Your lawyer can help you through every step while ensuring no critical details are missed or information is left out.
- Initial Application: The process begins with submitting an application to the Social Security Administration (SSA), which includes detailed information about your medical condition or injury, work history, and personal details.
- Reconsideration: If your initial application is denied, you can request a reconsideration. This is a review of your application by someone uninvolved in the first decision.
- Hearing: You can request a hearing before an administrative law judge if your reconsideration request is also denied. This hearing gives you the chance to present your case in person.
- Appeals Council Review: If the judge denies your claim, you can ask the SSA’s Appeals Council to review the decision. The council may either review your case or return it to the judge for further review.
- Federal Court Review: If the Appeals Council declines your request or you disagree with its decision, you can file a lawsuit in federal district court.
Common Challenges in Securing Social Security Disability Benefits
The SSA is notoriously strict when reviewing and approving claims. Knowing what to expect in the weeks and months ahead can make the process less overwhelming and intimidating to first-time applicants.
- Denial of Initial Applications: Many initial SSD applications are denied. Common reasons for denials include lack of medical evidence or errors in the application.
- Proving Disability: You must provide sufficient medical evidence to prove that your condition meets the SSA’s definition of disability. Medical records from your doctor, specialist, or hospital are often necessary to meet this requirement.
- Lengthy Application Process: The process can be long and complex, often taking several months or even years to complete. It can be difficult to keep up with the process when you’re already dealing with a serious injury or health problem.
Benefits of Hiring a Social Security Disability Lawyer
Having a SSI lawyer in Sacramento assist you with your application can reduce your chances of denial and increase your chances of winning your appeal.
- Maximizing Your Chances of Approval: A lawyer can help you gather and present the necessary evidence to strengthen your application and improve your chances of approval. They can also take the mental load of the application process off your shoulders, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to focus on your recovery.
- Navigating the Application Process Effectively: An experienced lawyer knows the SSD process well and can guide you through each step. Along the way, they can help you avoid common mistakes that can lead to delays or denials. That also means you may get your benefits faster than if you attempted the process on your own.
- Protecting Your Rights and Ensuring Fair Treatment by the SSA: A lawyer can advocate for your rights to ensure that you are treated fairly and that your case is given the attention it deserves.
Contact Our Sacramento Social Security Disability Lawyers Today
SSDI benefits are extremely important for people dealing with serious health problems and injuries that keep them out of work. However, many people’s benefits are delayed due to errors while filling out their applications, or they simply give up due to the complexity of the process. While those are common outcomes, you can avoid them with an experienced law firm on your side.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, our Sacramento Social Security Disability attorneys are committed to helping you secure the SSD benefits you need. We have decades of experience filing and appealing SSD applications for people just like you, and we know what it takes to get applications approved quickly and reliably. Contact us today for a free consultation.
