If you have suffered an injury that keeps you from participating in gainful employment for at least twelve consecutive months, you may qualify for social security disability in Salinas, CA. An important first step in starting your Salinas social security disability case is establishing medical proof of your disability. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will render a decision in your Salinas SSD case based on both medical and non-medical documentation. Non-medical information includes reviewing your income and earned work credits, as well as living arrangements, age, education and skill set. Once the SSA is done reviewing your non-medical information, your file is forwarded to the California Disability Determination Services (DDS) for a medical review.
At the end of 2011, only 31% of the initial social security disability claims filed in the state of California were actually awarded. If your initial Salinas social security disability claim is denied, you can appeal the decision and ask the SSA to reconsider your case. Be warned. Less than 12% of appeals are awarded. If your appeal is denied, you can ask to have your Salinas social security disability case sent before an administrative law judge (ALJ) at the San Jose hearing office. At the hearing level, 54.4% of disability cases that are heard by an ALJ are awarded.
Salinas Health Resources
Because of the significance given to the medical documentation presented in determining your Salinas social security disability case, you need to take your medical treatment seriously. Ultimately, your medical records can determine if you are awarded SSD benefits. That is why it is important that you see a doctor as soon as you are injured. The DDS uses the information in your medical file to rule on your disability and pre-determine the length of time you are expected to receive benefits if you do, in fact, qualify for SSD in Salinas.
If you are uninsured or underinsured, there are free and reduced-cost health care facilities in the Salinas area that would be of service to you.
Natividad Medical Center
1441 Constitution Blvd.
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-4111
Salinas Health Center
316 N. Main Street
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 758-8261
Csvs - Sanborn Clinic
219 N. Sanborn Rd.
Salinas, CA 93905-2218
(831) 757-1365
Salinas Area Mental Health Resources
If you are battling with a mental illness that keeps you from engaging in gainful employment, you may qualify for social security disability in Salinas. Seek treatment from a licensed mental health professional in the Salinas area.
Kinship Health Center
124 River Road
Salinas, CA 93908
(831) 455-9965
Consuelo M. Streett, LCSW
1270 Natividad Road
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-4510
Clinica De Salud
950 Circle Drive
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 757-6237
Salinas Supplemental Social Security Benefits
The Federal social security disability benefit for an independent individual is $943 and $1,415 for a couple. California pays supplemental benefits to individuals who qualify for social security disability.
When to Find a Salinas Social Security Disability Attorney
If you have suffered an injury which keeps you from earning a living, a lengthy process on your Salinas social security disability case can strain your finances. Across the country, most initial social security disability claims and appeals are denied. From start to finish, your Salinas SSD case can last more than a year if you are one of the nearly 70% of workers whose initial disability claim is denied. It may be in your best interest to hire a Salinas social security disability attorney to represent you.
California disability attorneys will often provide free initial consultations and typically don’t charge you 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 or through a fee petition. The maximum an attorney can collect for representing you in your Salinas social security disability case 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 Salinas disability attorney.
