If you are a worker in the Spokane area who has suffered a debilitating injury that prohibits you from getting and keeping a job, you may qualify for social security disability benefits.
When you apply for Spokane social security disability benefits either online or at a local Social Security Administration (SSA) office, your application will be reviewed then your case file forwarded to the Washington Disability Determination Services (WDDS). An administrative team at the WDDS made up of disability specialists, physicians and psychologists will request your medical records from your treating physician to assess the severity of your disability. If there is sufficient evidence found in your medical file to support your disability claim, the WDDS may recommend to the SSA that your case is approved. If there is not enough evidence to support your claim your case may be denied.
In the state of Washington, only about 35% of initial claims are awarded. If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the initial decision within 60 days of receiving the decision letter. Your case will be returned to the WDDS where it will go before a separate administrative panel for review. If your appeal is also denied, you can ask that your case be heard at a Spokane social security disability hearing office by an administration law judge (ALJ). Nearly 60% of all Spokane disability claims heard by an ALJ are awarded.
Spokane Health Resources
Your medical records are an important part of your overall Spokane social security disability case. It is important that you seek regular medical treatment for your disability and that said treatment is documented in your medical records. If you are uninsured or underinsured and cannot afford medical treatment, there are several free and reduced cost health care facilities in Spokane which may be of service to you.
Spokane Urgent Care
5901 N. Lidgerwood, Suite 126
Spokane, WA 99208
(509) 434-1990
Denny Murphy Clinic
1001 W. 2nd Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 444-8200
Market Street Clinic
5921 N. Market St.
Spokane, WA 99208
(509) 444-8200
Spokane Area Mental Health Resources
Access to quality mental health resources in Spokane is important if you are suffering from a mental illness that prohibits you from being able to get and keep a job. For assistance with mental health issues which have affected your ability to work, several facilities can service you.
Spokane Mental Health
107 S. Division
Spokane, WA. 99202
(509) 838-4651
RSN - Mental Health
312 West 8th Avenue
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 477-5722
Spokane Supplemental Social Security Benefits
The Federal social security disability benefit for an independent individual is $943 and $1,415 for a couple. The state of Washington may provide a supplemental payment to you if you qualify for SSI or SSDI benefits.
Getting Help from a Spokane Social Security Disability Attorney
When it comes to your Spokane social security disability case, it is easy to start the process without having a clear understanding of precisely how lengthy it can actually be. Most social security disability claims in the U.S. are denied the first time. In the state of Washington, 87% of first appeals are denied as well. When you consider that the average time it takes for you to get your case heard by an administration law judge is in excess of 300 days, you begin to understand that if you have no income coming in while your Spokane social security disability case is being processed, the financial toll your injury can take can ultimately be enormous.
A good Spokane social security disability attorney can help you to streamline and expedite the application and decision process. Many attorneys will only charge you a fee if they win your case. If your attorney wins, a standard fee of 25% of your award is collected from retroactive benefits. The maximum amount an attorney can collect for representing you in your Spokane social security disability case is $6,000.
