Bakersfield Social Security Attorney
Every year the Social Security Administration (SSA) receives more than two million applications for Social Security Disability benefits, and it is estimated that more than three million applications will come in during 2011. The individuals who file for Social Security Disability benefits often face severe financial hardship. Unable to work or produce an income, it is all too easy to fall behind on bills. Disability-related medical expenses only make the situation worse. Many of these people rely on Social Security Disability benefits to make ends meet, but very few of the applicants who need these benefits are actually approved by the Social Security Administration on their first application attempt. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 70 percent of initial applications are denied. If you live in the Bakersfield, California area and wish to apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration, you should consider hiring a Bakersfield Social Security Disability attorney in order to increase your chances of being awarded the benefits you need.
Oil and agriculture have long been the foundation of Bakersfield's economy. Kern County is the source of approximately 10 percent of the nation's domestic oil production and ranks in the top five of the agricultural counties in the nation. Manufacturing is also playing an increasingly-important role in the economy of the city, as is distribution. A portion of the city's economic growth can be attributed to its business-friendly policies, such as the waiver of the requirement to pay inventory and utility taxes. Bakersfield is also home to the world largest ice cream plant and the city's gross metropolitan product is estimated to be approximately $23 billion.
Applying for Bakersfield Social Security Disability Benefits
Bakersfield is home to about 321,000 residents. Of these residents, approximately 44,000 are listed as being disabled. The average monthly Social Security Disability payment in California is $1083.80, but it can take two years or more from the date of application for an individual to start receiving disability benefits. This is due to the fact that the majority of disability applications are denied by the Social Security Administration, leaving applicants with no choice but to endure the lengthy disability appeal process or give up hope of ever receiving Social Security Disability payments.
If you live in the Bakersfield area and you have suffered from a long-term or permanent disabling condition, you may be wondering whether you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. If you plan on applying for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration, you should consider retaining the services of a qualified Bakersfield Social Security Disability lawyer before you begin the application process.
Hiring a Bakersfield Disability Attorney
A Bakersfield Social Security attorney can help increase your chances of being approved for disability benefits by helping you gather the necessary information and evidence needed to support your claim and guiding you through the initial application process. If your initial application is denied, your Bakersfield Social Security lawyer can increase your chances of successfully appealing the Social Security Administration's decision to deny your disability benefits.
The first step in the disability appeal process is called a Request for Reconsideration. Your Bakersfield disability attorney will need to file your reconsideration request within 60 days of the date your application for disability benefits was denied by the Social Security Administration. Do not be surprised if this appeal is also denied. Only about 10 to 20 percent of disability claims are actually approved by the Social Security Administration at the reconsideration stage. More than 80 percent of disability applicants who file an appeal will need to go on to the next stage of the appeal process.
Your greatest chance of overturning the Social Security Administration's decision to deny your disability benefits is during the hearing stage of the disability appeal process. The good news is that nearly two-thirds of applicants receive a favorable decision as a result of their disability hearing. It is important, however, that you have proper legal representation during your hearing in order to have the best chance of receiving a favorable decision. Statistics show that applicants who hire a Bakersfield disability lawyer are more likely to win an appeal than applicants who go to a hearing without legal representation.
Bakersfield Social Security Disability attorneys have advanced knowledge of the constantly-changing Social Security Disability laws and your disability lawyer will understand how the current laws apply to your specific disability case. Because of this, your attorney will be able to present your case in the best light possible before the administrative law judge who is hearing your disability case.
Click here if you would like to request a free evaluation of your Social Security Disability case and to learn more about hiring a Bakersfield Social Security attorney to represent you in your disability claim.
A Bakersfield Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Kern County, Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County, Kings County, Tulare County, San Bernadino County, and Inyo County: McFarland, Delano, Wofford Heights, Lamont, Arvin, Frazier Park, Ford City, Santa Maria, Rosamond, Lancaster, Palmdale, Santa Clarita, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Burbank, Tulare, and Visalia.
