Oakland Social Security Attorney
If you suffer from a health condition that makes it impossible for you to work, you will want to look into applying for Social Security Disability benefits. Like the many Americans applying for such benefits every year, you will find that your chances of winning your disability case are considerably greater if you employ the services of a Oakland Social Security Disability Attorney. He or she can help to guide you through the extremely complex process of applying for benefits and convincing the Social Security Administration that you are eligible for a monetary award.
Oakland, a city of approximately 395,274 people, is located on the east side of the San Francisco Bay. Oakland has had a booming economy ever since the gold rush of 1849. Oakland is both a major culture and commercial hub of the area. Its container shipping port is a major asset for trade, and three transcontinental railroads meet in the city. Oakland has diversified industries including food processing, transportation, computer and technology products, and telecommunications. The unemployment rate in Oakland is 4.1%, and the per capita income is $49, 276.
Applying for Oakland Social Security Disability Benefits
There are currently approximately 6,485 disabled workers receiving benefits in the city of Oakland, California. On the whole, California paid $570 million to disabled workers in the last year from which figures are available, with individual payments that averaged $955. In order to receive these payments, each disabled worker had to apply to the Social Security Administration. The benefit requirements include the presence of a protracted disability that completely denies the affected individual the opportunity to earn a livable income. The disability, in order to make the affected person eligible, must be expected to last at least a year. If someone living in Oakland meets these qualifications and, in addition, possesses enough work credits, this person can apply for Social Security Disability (SSDI). If, on the other hand, the person does not possess enough work credits but has a certain amount of demonstrated financial need, he or she may want to turn to the Supplemental Social Security Income program (SSI) instead.
Often, people will submit an initial application for disability benefits without first hiring a lawyer, but the assistance of an Oakland disability lawyer can certainly improve the course of the Social Security Disability claim process even at the initial stage. Statistics show that only about 30% of all disability claims are approved at the first stage. The other 70%, if they wish to continue pursuing benefits, must embark on a taxing appeals process. An Oakland attorney can assure that your case has the best possible chance of being accepted initially, and any ensuing appeals that might be necessary are fulfilled in a timely and effective manner.
Hiring an Oakland Disability Attorney
The appeal process for Social Security Disability benefits is lengthy and can be somewhat bewildering. An Oakland Social Security Attorney can explain the steps to you and make sure that you fulfill all the application requirements. Statistics show that you are significantly more likely to win your case if you consult a lawyer. If your initial application has been denied, you will certainly want to seek out the services of an Oakland disability attorney to begin the appeals process as soon as possible before your sixty day window to appeal runs out.
The process of hiring a disability attorney does not have to be beyond your means. By law, your attorney will receive payment only if you receive a positive ruling on your case, in the form of a portion of the disability back payments you are granted. If you do not win your case, you do not owe your attorney anything, leaving you protected from undue financial strain.
If you are considering applying for Social Security Disability benefits, click here for a free disability claim evaluation and to learn more about hiring an Oakland disability lawyer.
A Oakland Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Alameda County, San Francisco County, Santa Clara County, San Joaquin County, Contra Costa County, Stanislaus County, and San Mateo County. Newark, Union City, Hayward, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Ramon, Stockton, Manteca, Modesto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Palo Alto, Walnut Creek, Danville, San Ramon, Alameda, San Mateo, Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, and Concord.
