Antioch Social Security Attorney
Many hard-working Antioch, California residents understand that they are covered by Social Security Disability Insurance. They assume that they will receive benefits from this Social Security program if they should ever suffer from a long-term or permanent disability. Unfortunately, when such a disability arises, obtaining the benefits that these workers need is not always as easy as they had thought it would be. In fact, nearly 70 percent of Social Security Disability applicants are denied disability benefits during the initial stage of the application process. If you would like to increase your chances of being awarded the disability benefits you are entitled to, thereby avoiding the need for a lengthy and complex disability appeal, you should consider speaking with an Antioch Social Security Disability attorney prior to filing a disability claim with the Social Security Administration.
The City of Antioch benefits from a diverse and flourishing economy. The median household income in the city is $57,747, which is well above the national average of $50,221. It is important to note, however, that the cost of living is also higher in Antioch, coming in at more than 27 percent higher than the national average. Some of the city's top employers include Kaiser Permanente, the Antioch Unified School District, Sutter Delta Medical Center and Antioch Auto Center.
Antioch is home to more than 102,000 California residents. Approximately 18 percent of the residents in Antioch receive some form of Social Security income. In the State of California, approximately 2.9 percent of the population receive Social Security Disability benefits with an average payment amount of $1,083.80 per month. While these monthly disability benefits can definitely help offset the financial burdens caused by a long-term or permanent disability, many disabled Antioch workers are surprised to find out that it takes the average Antioch disability applicant approximately 504 days to complete the disability claim process.
Applying for Antioch Social Security Disability Benefits
Why does it take an average of 504 days for an Antioch disability applicant to complete the Social Security Disability claim process when it only takes three to four months to complete the initial disability application process? The extensive processing times are due to the fact that the majority of applications are denied by the Social Security Administration during the initial stage of the claim process. This results in the need for a disability appeal, which can take well over a year to complete.
Antioch Social Security Disability applicants who must undergo the disability appeal process usually go through two different appeal stages. The first stage of appeals is called a Request for Reconsideration, of which 80 percent are denied. The second stage, which is the disability hearing, is when most disability applicants are awarded the benefits they are entitled to. Unfortunately, it will take an Antioch disability applicant approximately fourteen months to be scheduled for this hearing due to the extensive backlog of appeals currently awaiting hearings in the Social Security system.
Most disability applicants wonder if there is any way to avoid the need for a disability appeal, and thereby avoid the wait of more than a year for a hearing before an administrative law judge. The only way to avoid the need for a disability appeal is to obtain benefits during the initial stage of the disability claim process. To increase your chances of doing this, you need to consult with an Antioch Social Security Disability lawyer prior to filing your claim for Social Security Disability benefits.
Hiring an Antioch Disability Attorney
When an Antioch Social Security attorney takes your case, he or she will go over your disability claim with you. They will review your medical records and your application for benefits, pointing out any weak spots that you may need to address. Your lawyer may suggest that you go for additional testing or see medical specialists to support your case for Social Security Disability benefits. When your evidence has been gathered and your application has been completed, your Antioch disability attorney will help you present your application in the best light possible to the Social Security Administration, increasing your chances of an approval at the initial stage of the claim process.
If, for some reason, your initial application for disability benefits is denied, your Antioch disability lawyer will represent you through each stage of the appeal process. Chances are the first stage of appeals will not be successful. As stated above, fewer than 80 percent of these appeals are decided in the favor of the disability applicant. The second stage of appeals is the disability hearing. This is when you will plead your case to an administrative law judge. Your chance of obtaining benefits at the second stage of appeals is much greater than at any other point in the claim process. In fact, nearly two-thirds of disability hearings are decided in the favor of the disability applicant. Statistics show that your chances of a favorable hearing outcome are much greater with proper legal representation.
If you would like to request a free evaluation of your Social Security Disability claim and learn more about hiring an Antioch Social Security Disability attorney to represent you in your disability case, click here.
An Antioch Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Contra Costa County, Solano County, Alameda County, San Joaquin County, Sacramento County, and San Francisco County: Pittsburg, Oakley, Brentwood, Oakland, San Francisco, Stockton, Sacramento, Bay Point, Martinez, Concord, Fairfield, San Ramon, Walnut County, Richmond, Berkeley, Vallejo, Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, Hayward, and Union City.
