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If your disabilities prevent you from being able to work at all, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. These benefits are available to people who have paid into the Social Security system during their working lifetime but who are now disabled and unable to perform any sort of work due to injury or illness.
Individuals who belong to certain employment retirement systems may also be eligible to receive disability retirement benefits. The best way to begin the Social Security Disability benefit process is to file a claim. We offer free Social Security Disability application help or you can submit your application on your own by phone, by email, or in-person.
Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld is dedicated to helping California workers receive all the benefits they are entitled to under the law. We only represent individuals, never employers, insurance companies or government entities. We have more than 65 years of experience in workers’ comp and other disability benefits, such as Social Security Disability. Let us put that experience to work for you.
At Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld, our Santa Barbara social security disability lawyers have protected the rights of California residents since 1956, and are prepared to help you navigate your important case past the bureaucratic obstacles that lie ahead.
If your disabilities prevent you from working, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. These benefits are available to people who have paid into the Social Security system during their working life but who are now disabled and unable to perform any form of employment due to injury or illness.
Individuals who belong to certain employment retirement systems may also be eligible to receive disability retirement benefits. The best way to begin the Social Security Disability benefits process is to file a claim. With six offices located throughout the state, we want to help.
We are more than attorneys. We are advocates who provide precise legal advice and representation that exceeds our clients’ expectations. We only represent individuals, never employers, insurance companies, or government entities.
We have more than 65 years of experience in pursuing disability benefits for our clients. Let us put that experience to work for you by scheduling a free consultation to discuss your case today.
We’ve prepared a handy guide for you, and it’s located here:
Social Security Disability benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). To qualify for these benefits, you must meet the following criteria:
We can help you determine if you’re eligible for Social Security Disability and navigate the application process. If you’ve already been denied Social Security Disability benefits when you reach out to us, we will review your denied application to determine what information may have been missing, and what needs to be done to appeal your case. Our lawyers will represent you at the administrative hearing, appeals process, and potentially Federal Court as well as be your advocate throughout the process.
If your appeal is successful, you may be entitled to ongoing monthly payments, retroactive payments going back to the onset of your disability, and Medicare or MediCal insurance benefits.
Social Security Disability benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must first:
The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other programs.
California residents may be eligible for SSDI benefits if:
Your previous employment must have required you to pay Social Security taxes for a certain duration, depending on your age, OR you must be so financially depleted in available resources that you meet SSA requirements which, in 2023, includes earning revenue of no more than $1,470 per month, or $2,460 per month, if you are blind.
We can help you determine if you are eligible for Social Security Disability benefits in California and navigate the application process with less resistance from the federal government, so your benefits can begin sooner.
Neither state nor federal law requires disabled California residents to partner with an experienced SSDI attorney to pursue benefits. However, at Ghitterman, Ghitterman & Feld, our Social Security disability attorneys know that going it alone can be a long and challenging process.
This is true because Social Security Disability benefits are paid by the federal government. This means there will be a stringent review process that requires clear evidence and supporting documentation to prove your need for benefits.
Next, the processing period for an SSDI application can take months before it is approved — when, or if, it is finally approved. Typically, there are significant delays caused by SSDI denials, which are common when the applicant fails to submit all the necessary information. In other cases, the request may be denied for reasons that are unclear to the applicant, layered in legal or otherwise confusing verbiage, simply to avoid paying what our clients are eligible to receive for their disabilities.
If you are unable to work because of a permanent disability, you may already be experiencing significant financial hardship. Do not leave your application process to chance. The stress and anxiety of getting the paperwork right the first time around can be too much for anyone to endure. This is especially true when they are suffering from the physical and emotional stress that accompanies their disability. We can help.
Contact our skilled California Social Security disability attorneys today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your SSDI benefit requirements, so you can move your application forward with confidence.
If you have already been denied Social Security Disability benefits, we will review your denied application to determine what information may have been missing, and what needs to be done to appeal your case. Our lawyers will represent you at the administrative hearing, appeals process, and potentially Federal Court, and consistently remain your advocate throughout the process.
If your appeal is successful, you may be entitled to ongoing monthly payments, retroactive payments going back to the onset of your disability, and MediCare or MediCal insurance benefits.
We are champions for justice who produce real results for real clients who need our help.
With six physical offices, in Bakersfield, Fresno, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Ventura, and Visalia, our top tier technologies provide a virtual reach to serve clients throughout California. We offer free in-person, telephone, and virtual consultations to offer straightforward legal advice for your unique needs. Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights, eligibility, and options to pursue SSDI benefits.
Call us at (805) 214-8888, or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. You are never charged a fee unless we recover compensation for you.