Social Security Disability benefits—SSDI and SSI—are available to Chula Vista residents who cannot work due to disability or illness. Although these benefits are a necessary lifeline for countless Chula Vista residents, it can be very difficult to qualify for them. For this reason, we suggest that you retain the services of a qualified attorney or advocate to help you throughout the Social Security Disability application process.
In 2012 alone, there were approximately 50,200 SSDI recipients and 60,200 SSI recipients located in San Diego County—many of whom had the assistance of a Social Security Disability attorney or advocate.
The following article will help you to understand the benefits of having an attorney or advocate on your side. Questions you have that are unrelated to legal assistance can be answered by a representative at your local disability field office:
626 L Street
Chula Vista, CA 91911
Telephone: 619-427-7414
To reach this office, take the L Street exit off of I-5 and head east. From I-805 take the L Street/Telegraph Canyon exit and head west to L Street and Broadway. This office will also handle claims in the following cities: Bonita, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, San Ysidro, San Diego, Nestor.
Hiring a Chula Vista Disability Attorney or Advocate
As we’ve already noted, applying and qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits is a long and complicated process. To file a successful claim, applicants must remain organized and persistent. Even the simplest mistakes could result in the delay or even the denial of their claim.
For this reason, it is important for you to explore the option of hiring an attorney or advocate to handle your claim. A legal professional will know the ins and outs of the Social Security Disability process and will be able to recognize and correct any weaknesses in your claim. Statistics have shown that applicants who have legal representation have a better chance of being awarded benefits.
It is important to note that disability lawyers are not paid unless the claimant is awarded benefits. Even then, all payment is deducted from the back pay that you earn and will be handled directly by the Social Security Administration—leaving you with one less thing to stress about. Learn more about hiring and paying for an attorney, here.
A Chula Vista attorney will also handle applicants from the following areas in California: National City, Bonita, Imperial Beach, Coronado, San Diego, La Presa, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, La Mesa, Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, Bostonia, Santee, and Lakeside.
If you have any other questions about the attorneys and advocates near you, contact the following bar association:
South Bay Bar Association
P.O. Box 154
Torrance, Ca 90507
Chula Vista Social Security Disability Appeal Hearings
If you have already submitted an initial disability application and received a denial, you are now likely entering the appeals process. If you haven’t already hired an attorney or advocate, this is the point at which you should. During the appeals process, you will likely be questioned by an administrative law judge about your condition, your finances, and your employment history. This can be quite stressful. An attorney or advocate will keep you calm and will make sure that the judge understands your need for disability benefits.
Most Chula Vista appeal hearings will take place in the San Diego hearing office—located approximately 9 miles away from Chula Vista.
Congressional Inquiry
Although appearing before an administrative law judge can be stressful, one of the most difficult parts of the appeal hearing is actually waiting for your hearing date. While you wait, it is likely that you are not working and have limited income. This can make it difficult to pay bills and even to buy things like food and clothes. If you are facing a similar situation, you may want to look into making a congressional inquiry.
To do so, you must call your local congressman or woman and explain your financial situation. If he or she agrees, they can contact the San Diego hearing office to ask for your hearing to be held sooner. The congressperson in your area is located at:
333 F Street, Suite A
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Phone: 619-422-5963
Fax: 619-422-7290
For more on disability benefits in California, see How To Qualify For Disability In California.
Complete the form on this page to consult with a Social Security Disability attorney or advocate for free.
