People with disabilities who cannot work are often burdened with the stress and pressure of being unable to make ends meet. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration offers two different benefit programs—SSI and SSDI—to help individuals in such circumstances.
Even though Social Security Disability benefits are necessary for those with severe health conditions or disabilities, the application process for benefits is notorious for being lengthy and complicated. Fortunately, disabled residents of Modesto (Stanislaus County) have access to a number of practiced attorneys and advocates who can help them navigate the Social Security Disability benefit application to get them the financial assistance they need.
Prior to applying for benefits, it is suggested that you look into the two programs and learn everything you can about the application process. This way, you are better prepared and know what to expect. Any other questions you have can be answered by a local Social Security Disability office. The Modesto disability office is listed below:
1521 N. Carpenter Rd
Suite E1
Modesto, CA 93351
Telephone: 209-523-2670
Hiring a Modesto Disability Attorney
To avoid confusion or costly mistakes it is in your best interest to seek the guidance of a Modesto disability lawyer. A skilled legal professional will be able to help you complete your application paperwork and collect the necessary medical evidence required to qualify for disability benefits.
Learn about the other benefits of hiring a Modesto lawyer here.
A Modesto Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Stanislaus County, Tuolumme County, Mariposa County, Calaveras County, San Joaquin County, Merced County, Santa Clara County, and Alameda County. Salida, Ripon, Manteca, Escalon, Riverbank, Oakdale, Waterford, Hughson, Ceres, Bystrom, Hickman, Keyes, Turlock, Stockton, Tracy.
All other questions regarding the lawyers and advocates in your area can be answered by the Stanislaus County Bar Association:
Stanislaus County Bar Association
804 14th Street,
Modesto, CA 95354
Modesto Disability Hearings
Many applicants do not realize that there is a good chance that their initial application may be denied. If this happens to you, don’t panic. You have the ability to appeal this decision by scheduling a disability hearing.
Due to the fact that there is no hearing office in Modesto, most residents of Modesto have their hearings held in the Stockton Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).
If your claim progresses to the hearing stage of the application process, the following statistics—taken during October 2012 to January 2013—may help you and your attorney prepare to appear in front of an administrative law judge.
- 909 appeal hearings were scheduled to be held in the Stockton hearing office during the specified time period.
- 86.36% of these hearings were resolved—meaning they were approved, denied, or partially approved.
- The Stockton hearing office has 8 judges who handle Social Security Disability appeal hearings.
- Each of these judges heard approximately 2.7 dispositions each day during the given months.
- The entire Stockton hearing office processed a total of 21.6 dispositions daily—also during the given time period.
- 96.52% of the hearings held in the Stockton office were decided in person. The rest were conducted through video conferencing.
- Currently the Stockton hearing office has a processing time of 276 days and total of 2,130 pending cases.
While these numbers may not be important to you now, they may come to be useful while you prepare for your hearing.
An obstacle that many applicants struggle with is the wait between scheduling their appeal hearing and actually appearing in front of a judge. If you find that you are not financially or medically able to wait three to four months for your hearing. Contact a local congressperson. A congressman or woman can intervene with the ODAR to expedite your hearing. Your congressman's office information is:
4701 Sisk Road, Suite 202
Modesto, CA 95356
Phone: (209) 579-5458
Fax: (209) 579-5028
For more on disability benefits in California, see How To Qualify For Disability In California.
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