Cannon Disability Law > FILING FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS IN CALIFORNIA

FILING FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS IN CALIFORNIA

Name: Cannon Disability Law
Item: Cannon Disability Law
Rating: 5
Author: Mary Gathers

HOW TO FILE FOR BENEFITS IN CALIFORNIA

Cannon Disability Law can help you file an application for Social Security benefits in California. Especially, if you have a mental illness or physical condition that prevents you from working for longer than 12 months.

There are two federal programs that can help you. The first is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSDI benefits also come with Medicare benefits.

The second program is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Receiving monthly SSI benefits also means you will get Medicaid benefits. Learn more about Medicaid benefits here. Both SSDI and SSI programs are run by the Social Security Administration.

In order to win benefits you will need to have evidence that your medical condition prevents you from working. For example, you will need medical evidence from a treating doctor about your severe symptoms. Additionally, it cannot just be a one time exam. You need to have a doctor that you visit on a monthly basis who will support your claim. If you have a mental illness, then you also need a counselor that you see at least twice a month and that will write a supportive letter to the SSA. If you don’t have medical evidence, you simply cannot win your benefits, because you will not have evidence to prove your case.

OTHER CALIFORNIA BENEFITS

California also has a short term disability insurance program through the state. The California State Disability Insurance (SDI) program provides short-term Disability Insurance (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) wage replacement benefits to workers who need time off work.

You may be eligible for the California SDI program, if you are unable to work due to non-work-related illness or injury, pregnancy, or childbirth.

You may also be able to get PFL in order to:

Care for a seriously ill family member.
Bond with a new child.
Participate in a qualifying event because of a family member’s military deployment to a foreign country.

To file for benefits, submit online forms, or manage your profile, access your SDI Online account at the California State Disability Insurance program website.

Additionally, your employer may offer private short term disability insurance. Your employer may also offer maternity or paternity leave benefits and long term benefits.

Long-term disability benefits pay a portion of your salary if you can no longer work. Additionally, there are federal benefits, like FMLA, available through your employer. FMLA allows you to take time off from work if you are ill. It then allows you to return your job once you are better.

TWO TYPES OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS – SSI & SSDI BENEFITS

There are two types of disability insurance that you can purchase: short-term and long-term. Short-term usually replaces a portion of your salary from three to six months after the onset of a disability. Long-term benefits normally begin six months after your disability begins. Long-term benefits usually last a few years until you are able to return to work. However, they can also last until retirement age.

Typically, private insurance limits mental health payments to a two year term. This is not true across the board. But most policies put a limit of two years on payment for mental health disabilities, like depression or anxiety. Therefore, if you have a combination of impairments, like a severe back impairment and depression, you should make sure the insurance company’s payments are based on your back impairment. Because, if they base payments on your mental health condition, then there will be a time limit on the payout period.

Every insurance policy, whether it be short or long term disability, is different. Each policy also has its own rules. If you read your policy, then you will know the time frame in which it offers benefits.

Disability insurance is not the same as Workers’ Compensation benefits. In the case of SSDI benefits, injury or illness does not have to stem from a work event or accident. In fact, research by the U.S. Department of Education shows that the most common causes of long-term disability are heart disease and back injury. Next on the list are mental conditions.

THREE WAYS TO FILE FOR SSDI BENEFITS IN CALIFORNIA

There are three easy ways to apply or file your application for SSDI and SSI benefits in California. Probably the easiest way to file an application is to file online. However, if you don’t have a computer or access to one, then you can still apply over the telephone or in person. Benefits begin from the date you file your application, so the longer you wait to file, the more money you lose.

Here are three ways to file your application:

Online: You can apply online at Social Security’s website.
Telephone: You can apply over the telephone by calling the SSA’s toll free customer service line at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
In-person: You can apply in person at your local Social Security field office.

If you file an application online, then the SSA will send you a summary of your application in the mail. You need to sign that summary and mail it back to them. The SSA will require that you do this before they will being to process your application for benefits.

TRANSFER OF YOUR SSD CASE TO DDS

After you apply for benefits, your case will transfer to the office of Disability Determination Services (DDS). DDS is a state organization. DDS reviews medical records to help the Social Security Administration make prompt decisions in claims. Disability Determination Services can also assist with both SSI and SSDI claims in California.

Also, DDS can request more information if they do not have enough medical information to make a decision about your case. For example, they may send you to a consultative exam. Find out more here about consultative exams with a doctor or psychologist. The address and phone number of the DDS offices are listed below:

CALIFORNIA OFFICES OF DISABILITY DETERMINATION SERVICES

Disability Determination Services
P.O. Box 6118
Covina, CA 91722-6118
Telephone: 626-732-8100

Disability Determination Services
P.O. Box 28931
Fresno, CA 93729-9835
Telephone: 559-440-5000

Disability Evaluations Division
Sierra Branch
P.O. Box 28937
Fresno, California 93720
Telephone: 559-440-5200

Disability Determination Services
P.O. Box 54800
Los Angeles, California 90054-0800
Telephone: 213-736-7000

Disability Determination Services
P.O. Box 60999
Los Angeles, California 90060-0999
Telephone: 213-736-7500

Disability Determination Services
P.O. Box 24225
Oakland, California 94623-1225
Telephone: 510-622-3506

Disability Determination Services
P.O. Box 619020
Roseville, California 95678-9861
Telephone: 916-774-4100

Disability Determination Services
P.O. Box 997120
Sacramento, California 95899-7120
Telephone: 916-263-5000

Disability Determination Services
P.O. Box 85501
San Diego, California 92186-5501
Telephone: 619-278-4550

Disability Determination Service Division
P.O. Box 85326
San Diego, CA 92186-5326
Telephone: 619-278-4300

DDS EXAMINES YOUR CASE FOR SSDI ELIGIBLITY

After you file for benefits in California, the Claims Examiner reviews your case. The Claims Examiner looks at your medical records to see if you qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. If you have questions or need to submit medical records, then you can submit information to DDS.

The Claims Examiner decides whether you meet SSA’s rules to win benefits at the initial stage of your claim. They also make a decision at the reconsideration level. Find out more about disability in certain California cities here.

It is possible that the Claims Examiner will decide there is not enough medical evidence to determine if you can get benefits. If that is the case, then DDS may send you to a Consultative Examination. A Consultative Examination is when you visit a doctor for a one time exam. It is also free for you. For tips on what to expect at a Consultative Examination go here.

If the Claims Examiner denies your case, then you will need to file a Request for a Hearing. We can do that for you. Your hearing request is due within 60 days of the date of the denial. It is important to file any appeal on time. For instance, you only have 60 days to appeal SSA’s decision. You do not want to want to miss the 60 day time limit. If you do, you may need to start your application over. Unfortunately, you would then lose the benefits you would get under your first application.

If you need more information because you already lost your hearing, go here. You do have options. For example, you may be able to apply again. Likewise, you can file an appeal of the SSA’s decision to the Appeals Council or to the Federal Court.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS ELIGIBLE FOR SSD BENEFITS IN CALIFORNIA

Physical conditions can result in not being able to work for more than 12 months. If you cannot work due to any of the following physical conditions, then you should apply for SSDI and SSI benefits in California.

It is also possible to win benefits due to a combination of physical conditions. If you have more than one physical condition, then you may win benefits under “equalling” SSA’s rules. Find out more about winning SSDI and SSI benefits with medical records here.

FILING FOR DISABILITY IN CALIFORNIA FOR MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS

Our law firm can also help you win SSD or SSI benefits. Especially, if you have a mental condition that prevents you from working. For example, you may have one mental illness or a combination of mental conditions. Either way, we can help you with your case. Disability benefits are available for many mental health conditions including:

In addition, mental health issues can combine with physical conditions. If you cannot meet SSA’s rules under one mental health condition, then you may win benefits due to your residual functional capacity. Remember, no matter how severe your medical condition, if you do not go to the doctor and have medical evidence to prove you cannot work, then you will not win benefits. Find out more about winning SSD and SSI benefits in California using your residual functional capacacity here.

CANNON DISABILITY LAW – THE BEST SSD ATTORNEYS IN CALIFORNIA

At Cannon Disability, we are experts in winning benefits. For example, in the last 30 years, we have won over 20,000 SSD and SSI cases for our clients. If you need help filing for benefits, contact our office. We can also help you appeal a denial from the SSA. Additionally, if you do not have medical evidence, then you can find a free or low cost California doctor here.

When you contact our office for help with your application, have some basic facts ready. For example, we will need to know your date of birth. Also, be ready with your wedding date and divorce date. We will also need to know the date you last worked. Also, we need to know the contact information for your doctors.

For instance, the application asks basic information about your family and your children. Likewise, you will need your work history. This means you need a list of all of the jobs in the last 15 years. Also, you will need to describe what job you did at each place of work. The SSA needs to know this information in order to process your application.

The SSA asks a number of questions that revolve around your work. The first question is whether or not you are currently working. If you need to know how the SSA defines “work,” then read here. Likewise, the second question is whether or not, despite your medical condition, you can return to one of your past jobs. Finally, the third question is whether or not, despite your medical condition, you can perform any other jobs in the national economy.

WORKING WITH YOUR LEGAL TEAM TO WIN YOUR SSDI CASE

Finally, our legal team cannot file an application for benefits in California without your help. That is why we say we are your legal team. Because, a team requires the best from all of the players. We may be experts at the law, but you are the expert about your life. Our team needs to know why you cannot work. We need to know when you stopped working. Likewise, you need to explain the symptoms of your illness to us.

First, you need to become our client. You can review the forms we need to you to sign here. If you need to know more information about what it costs to hire us, please read our article, “Attorney Fees in Disability Cases.”

Once we receive these forms, we can represent you. We will help you file your application for benefits. After we file your application, we will also collect your medical records. We will also need your help to do collect your records from your doctors. Likewise, we need records from your counselors or any mental health clinics. If you don’t give us the information about your doctors, then we can’t contact them for you.

FILING FOR SSDI AND SSI BENEFITS IN CALIFORNIA

Remember, if you are filing for SSDI and SSI benefits in California, then we can represent you. Additionally, if you are denied by the SSA at the initial level, we will file an appeal. Likewise, if your case receives a denial at the second phase of appeal, then we will request a hearing for you. Prior to your hearing, we will also prepare you to testify at your day in court.

One of the main reasons to hire an attorney is so that you have a professional with experience to help you at the hearing. Your attorney can explain what is going to happen at the hearing. Also, your attorney can prepare you so that you know how to answer the questions the judge will ask you at your hearing.

For example, we will review the judge’s questions. Next, we will help you know how to answer those questions. Find out more here about what questions the judge will ask at the hearing. Likewise, we will help you prepare your answers about your physical and mental conditions. Let us help you win your SSD and SSI case. If you need help filing for benefits in California, then contact Cannon Disability Law today.

Share This Page: