Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

• Social security disability insurance (SSDI) is a government program that helps people, and family members, if the person can’t work during a prolonged period of time due to a medical disability.
• This program is regulated by the Department of Social Security Administration (SSA) and has strict eligibility requirements. SSDI payments vary from one year to the next according to cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), and are based on the median income a person made during their working life. You may also be entitled to Supplementary security income (SSI) benefits.

• Having a health condition that currently impedes you from working and expecting a prolonged period of time before being able to re-incorporate yourself.
• Having worked recently and having paid taxes (At least during the last 10 years)
• Having the necessary work social security credits, that are based on your annual salary, or the income you made working independently.
• Your health condition fits the definition of disability for the Social Security Administration.

1. Application:

In this first step, your medical limitations, symptoms, medical and occupational history are delivered. The SSA considers this information to determine if you are disabled and if your condition incapacitates you to work for the following 12 months. The SSA takes around 3 to 6 months to answer. Sadly, about two thirds of initial applications are denied. But don’t worry: we know what to do next.

2. Reconsideration:

If your application is denied, you have another chance. In this step, we request the SSA to review your case to check if a mistake was made, and provide additional information required by the SSA. Reconsideration may take another 3 to 6 months. Then, the SSA may approve your monthly disability payments. If your case is denied, our office will request an audience with an Administrative Law judge.

3. A Hearing With an Administrative Law Judge:

In this last step, you will present yourself before a judge that works for the SSA. During the hearing, the evidence is presented and your reclamation is proven. The judge will examine the evidence and determine if you have a right to the disability benefits. After that they will approve or deny your application. The probability for getting monthly disability payments at this stage is significantly higher if you are represented by a social security disability lawyer.

Unfortunately, the SSA can take up to a year to program this hearing. A lawyer with expertise in social security disability in the state of California from Casa de la Justicia will help you through the entire process without you having to pay a cent. The process is confidential and our team can speak Spanish and English.

Not appealing the decision: More than half of the people who get their applications denied don’t appeal.

Incorrectly describing previous jobs: A lot of applicants don’t describe their previous jobs or the physical requirements they had with precision.

Not receiving proper medical attention: People with chronic illnesses don’t feel like doctors do enough, and because of that, they stop going to treatments.

The lawyers from Casa de la Justicia can help you get the social security disability payments that you may be entitled to. We will handle the entire process, from the first application to the hearing without a cent coming out of your pocket.

• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Speech or other senses problems
• Respiratory disorders
• Issues in the cardiovascular system
• Genitourinary disorders
• Hematological disorders
• Endocrine disorders
• Congenital disorders that affect different bodily systems
• Neurological disorders
• Mental illnesses
• Cancer (malignant neoplastic illnesses)
• Immune system disorders.

There are over 100 illnesses that create medical disability that could qualify you for disability payments.

Diabetes only qualifies for social security disability payments when, due to its nature, it requires the person to undergo dialysis.

Any kind of chronic or accidental pain medically proved to impede standing or sitting for more than 15 minutes can be considered for obtaining these monthly payments.