In Baton Rouge, social security disability benefits are paid to eligible workers who have either become permanently disabled or are living with a disability that prohibits them from working for at least 12 months. Qualifying for social security disability in Baton Rouge is a lengthy procedure. Once you submit your application to the Social Security Administration, the entire process – including appeals – can take up to a year, sometimes longer. Decisions are not made exclusively by the Social Security Administration, but rather in conjunction with a federally-funded organization called the Disability Determination Services (DDS). After receiving your file, the DDS reviews your application and your medical records to determine if your injury qualifies as a disability under the Social Security Act. The DDS will have their medical consultant review your injury and the treatments prescribed by your doctor to determine if you are disabled and to offer a projection on how long it will take you to recover from your disability.
If there is not sufficient medical evidence contained in your medical record to support your disability claim, your claim may be denied and you will have 60 days from the date you received your decision letter to appeal. Currently, nearly one-third of all social security disability claims in the state of Louisiana are awarded and nearly a quarter of all appeals are awarded. If your appeal is denied however, you may request that your case go before an administration law judge (ALJ). The Alexandria hearing office that handles Baton Rouge social security disability claims awards 43% of the cases heard.
Baton Rouge Health Resources
When the DDS makes a determination on your Baton Rouge social security disability case, it does so by relying heavily on the information contained in your medical file. It is so important that you receive regular medical treatment for your injury and that said treatment is properly documented. If you are not currently seeing a physician for your disability or you do not have medical coverage, there are free and reduced-cost health care facilities in Baton Rouge that would be of service to you.
Capitol City Family Health Center
3140 Florida Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806
(225) 650.2000
Baton Rouge Primary Care Collaborative
1414 Fairchild St.
Baton Rouge, LA - 70807
(225) 774-1120
Plank Plaza Medical Center – Baton Rouge
8150 Plank Rd.
Baton Rouge, LA - 70811
(225) 774-1120
Baton Rouge Clinic
7373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA. 70808
(225) 769-4044
Baton Rouge Area Mental Health Resources
If you suffer from a mental illness that prevents you from working, you may also qualify for social security disability in Baton Rouge. The facilities listed below will connect you with qualified mental health professionals who can be of assistance.
Ocean’s Behavioral Hospital
11135 Florida Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70815
(225) 356-7030
Baton Rouge Mental Health Clinic
4615 Government Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
(225) 925.1909
Baton Rouge Supplemental Social Security Benefits
The monthly Federal social security disability benefit for an independent individual is $943 and $1,415 for a couple. For individuals with disabilities that are expected to improve, their cases will usually come up for review within 6 to 12 months. Cases for individuals with disabilities that may improve over time will usually come up for review in 3 years. Cases for individuals with permanent disabilities come up for review every 5-7 years
When to Find a Baton Rouge Social Security Disability Attorney
Suffering a disability that keeps you from achieving gainful employment can cause significant financial hardship. It may be in your best interest to secure the services of an experienced and knowledgeable Baton Rouge social security disability attorney. A disability attorney can help expedite the application and appeals process. Disability attorneys often provide free consultations and usually don’t charge a fee unless they win your case. If your attorney wins, a standard fee of 25% of your award is collected from past due benefits. The maximum an attorney can collect is $6,000. If you are interested in obtaining an evaluation of your Social Security Disability case, click the "Free Disability Evaluation" link at the top of the page for your free case evaluation or to get more information about hiring a Baton Rouge disability attorney.