Residents of Lakewood, California—part of Los Angeles County—have access to many experienced Social Security Disability attorneys and advocates. These professionals can help non-working, disabled individuals apply for Social Security Disability benefits. Data collected in December 2011 has suggested that attorneys and advocates have helped nearly 149,090 individuals receive SSDI benefits and nearly 418,314 individuals receive SSI benefits in Los Angeles County alone.
If you can no longer work due to a disabling condition or illness, a Lakewood disability attorney can help you get the benefits you need.
Learn more about the disability programs here or contact a local Social Security field office:
4957 Paramount Blvd
Lakewood, CA 90712
Telephone: 562-867-0597
Hiring a Lakewood Disability Attorney
It is important to note that the application process for Social Security Disability benefits is a lot more complicated than filling out a few forms. In fact, many applicants report that applying for benefits is a long, stressful journey. Fortunately, residents of Lakewood can consult with a qualified attorney or Social Security disability advocates. These legal professionals can potentially shorten the process and increase your chances of being approved for benefits.
Learn more about how an attorney can help you, here. Or contact the Los Angeles County Bar Association with any other questions:
Los Angeles County Bar Association
P.O. Box 55020
Los Angeles, CA 90055-2020
A Lakewood, California, Social Security disability lawyer will also handle claims for those residing in nearby cities such as Douglas Junction, Bellflower, North Long Beach, California Heights, Clearwater, and neighboring Ventura, Orange, San Bernardino, and Kern counties.
Lakewood Disability Hearings
As stated, the application for Social Security Disability benefits can be complicated. This is because the Social Security Administration (SSA) tries to be as thorough as possible when evaluations potential recipients. Although this system works to weed out those who are not qualified for the programs, it can also cause qualified individuals to be denied based on seemingly small errors.
If your initial application is denied, you will have to request an appeal hearing. Lakewood appeal hearings are often held in the Long Beach Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). The Long Beach hearing office currently has a processing time of 305 days and is working to resolve a total of 2,935 pending cases.
Listed below are several important statistics regarding hearings held in the Long Beach hearing office between October 2012 and January 2013:
- 1,025 disability hearings were held in the Long Beach hearing office.
- 75.05% of these cases were resolved—meaning they ended in approval, denial, or partial approval.
- 6 judges hear disability claims in the Long Beach hearing office.
- Each judge handles approximately 2.4 dispositions each day. The entire office handles about 14.4 dispositions each day.
- Out of all of the hearings held in the Long Beach hearing office, 87.72% were held in person while the rest were held using video conferencing.
Although these numbers may hold no significance to you now, if your initial application is denied, you may find these facts and figures useful when preparing for your hearing.
If you find that you cannot wait for your scheduled hearing date, your congressperson can attempt to have it scheduled sooner in extremely dire circumstances. Your congressperson's office can be found at:
17906 Crusader Ave
Ste. 100
Cerritos, CA 90703
Telephone: (562) 860-5050
Fax: (562) 924-2914
For more on disability benefits in California, see How To Qualify For Disability In California.
Complete the form below to speak with a Lakewood disability lawyer for free:
