No one wants to think about what would happen if they were suddenly unable to work or earn an income. We all like to think that disabling conditions are something that happens to other people. It's not something that happens to us. The fact of the matter is that disabilities can and do happen to anyone, even to those who think they aren't at risk.
Fortunately, when most of us suffer a long-term or permanent disability, Social Security Disability benefits can help alleviate some of the financial stress it causes. The problem is, actually obtaining the Social Security Disability benefits that a disabled worker needs is usually harder than one would expect.
If you are in need of Social Security Disability benefits in the Murrieta, California area, the following information will help you understand how the services of a Murrieta California Social Security Disability attorney can help you in your disability case.
About Murrieta, California
Murrieta benefits from a diverse economy with an increasing focus on international trade. The retail and medical sectors, however, currently play one of the largest roles in the city's economic well-being.
The largest employers in Murrieta include Wal-Mart, Lowes, Murrieta Valley Unified School District, Southwest Healthcare System and Target. The city's median household income is $63,028, compared to the national average of $40,711.
Applying for Murrieta Social Security Disability Benefits
The City of Murrieta is home to more than 104,000 California residents. In the State of California, approximately 2.9 percent of the population receive Social Security Disability benefits. California Social Security Disability recipients receive an average monthly disability payment of $1,083.80 per month.
While it is true that this monthly disability benefit can offset some of the financial stress caused by a long-term or permanent disability, many Murrieta residents are surprised to discover that it can take a year or more before they ever see their first disability payment from the Social Security Administration.
Why does it take so long for a Murrieta disability applicant to complete the Social Security Disability claim process? The extensive processing times are largely due to the fact that the Social Security Administration only approves approximately 30 percent of the initial claims they receive each year. The majority of disability applicants must endure a disability appeal if they hope to receive a monthly disability payment.
This appeal will usually involve a Request for Reconsideration and a hearing before an administrative law judge. It is the hearing stage of the appeal process that causes Murrieta disability applicants to wait so long before receiving the disability benefits they are entitled to. If you meet specific qualifying criteria, however, you may be eligible to make an interim assistance agreement with the SSA in order to receive some assistance while waiting for your decision.
When an individual files an appeal to overturn the SSA's decision to deny their disability benefits, that applicant's local ODAR (Office of Disability Adjudication and Review) office must schedule a disability hearing for that individual. The ODAR office in charge of scheduling hearings for Murrieta Social Security Disability applicants is located in San Bernardino.
It takes this office an average of ten months to schedule a hearing for a Murrieta Social Security Disability applicant. If you want to increase your chances of being approved for disability benefits during the initial stage of the disability application process and avoid the need for a hearing before an administrative law judge, the services of a Murrieta Social Security Disability lawyer may be the answer.
While many disability applicants do not consider hiring an attorney until their claim for benefits has been denied by the Social Security Administration, it may actually be wiser to speak with a Murrieta Social Security attorney before you even file your disability claim. Your Murrieta Social Security lawyer can go over your disability case with you, helping you gather the evidence that you will need to submit with your claim for disability benefits.
He or she will also help you prepare and submit your application in such a way that you have the best possible chance of approval at the initial stage of the disability claim process.
For more on disability benefits in California, see How To Qualify For Disability In California.
Hiring a Murrieta Disability Attorney
If, for some reason, your initial application for Social Security Disability benefits is denied, your Murrieta disability attorney will be able to represent you through the disability appeal process. He or she will be able to gather additional evidence to submit to the administrative law judge and may even retain expert witnesses to testify on your behalf. These witnesses may be vocational experts or medical professionals who can testify to your inability to work and the severity of your condition.
Fortunately, the odds are in your favor when you attend a disability hearing. Nearly two-thirds of these hearings are decided in the favor of the disability applicant. It is important to remember, however, that while you are technically allowed to represent yourself at this hearing, doing so will decrease your chances of actually being awarded the Social Security Disability benefits you need. That is why the services of a qualified Murrieta disability lawyer are crucial to the success of your disability claim.
A Murrieta Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Riverside County, Orange County, Imperial County, Los Angeles County, and San Diego: Temecula, Terra Cotta, Wildomar, Rainbow, De Luz, Fallbrook, Lake Elsinor, Sedco Hills, Sun City, Perris, Winchester, Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, and Laguna Beach.
