If you have been injured and you are applying for Social Security Disability benefits in East Los Angeles, you must provide proof that you have sustained a physical or mental injury that prevents you from performing the essential duties of your job for at least one year.
Qualifying for Social Security Disability benefits in East Los Angeles, CA can be a lengthy process. While submitting an application can be done online or at a local Social Security Administration (SSA) field office, the review portion of your case requires the services of both the SSA and a federally-funded agency called the California Disability Determination Service Division (DDSD). The SSA reviews the non-medical elements of your case file before forwarding your case to the DDSD. The DDSD is responsible for assessing new cases and making re-eligibility determinations on current East Los Angeles Social Security Disability claims.
At the close of 2011, less than one-third of the initial disability claims filed in the state of California were awarded. If you apply for Social Security Disability in East Los Angeles and your initial claim is denied, you can ask the SSA to reconsider your case. When that happens, the SSA will resubmit your case for a second medical review by a separate DDSD panel. Be warned. Only about 12% of appeals are actually awarded. If both your initial claim and your appeal are denied, you can request a hearing of your case and have your East Los Angeles Social Security Disability case heard by an administrative law judge at the Los Angeles Downtown SSD hearing office. At the hearing level, nearly 55% of the cases heard are awarded.
East Los Angeles Health Resources
The DDSD uses your medical records to determine if you are eligible to receive SSD benefits in East LA. It is important that you receive regular medical attention for your injury. If you are in need of medical attention or are having trouble paying for medical care, there are free and reduced-cost health care facilities in the East Los Angele area that would be of service to you.
The Saban Free Clinic, Inc.
8405 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 653-1990
Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic
3324 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 661-0718
Los Reyes Medical Clinic
6007 Whittier Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90022
(323) 725-1144
East Los Angeles Area Mental Health Resources
Mental issues can also prevent you from getting and keeping a job. If you are in need of help from a mental health professional, contact the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health at 1-800-854-7771.
East Los Angeles Supplemental Social Security Benefits
California pays supplemental benefits to individuals that qualify for social security disability. The Federal Social Security Disability benefit for an independent individual is $943 and $1,415 for a couple.
When to Find a East Los Angeles Social Security Disability Attorney
On average it takes 258 days from the time you Request a Hearing on your East Los Angeles Social Security Disability case to the time your case is heard and a decision made. Now consider that more than two-thirds of all Social Security Disability claims are denied. There is a good chance that your East Los Angeles SSD case can go on for months, possibly even a year or more. It may be in your best interest to hire an East Los Angeles Social Security Disability attorney to represent you in your case.
A disability attorney can usually provide a free initial consultation and they typically don’t charge you a fee unless they win the case. If your attorney wins, a standard fee of 25% of your award is collected from past due benefits or through a fee petition. 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 an East Los Angeles disability attorney.
