Pasadena Social Security Attorney
Hard-working Pasadena, California residents who are facing long-term or permanent disabilities often have to deal with serious financial stress due to the inability to produce an income. Disability-related medical expenses only add to the financial hardship. In cases such as these, Social Security Disability benefits are intended to offset the financial burden that is caused by a long-term or permanent disability. Unfortunately, actually obtaining the benefits that an individual is entitled to is not as easy as one may think. Approximately 70 percent of the disability claims received each year are denied by the Social Security Administration at the initial stage of the application process. If you want to increase your chances of obtaining the disability benefits you are entitled to, you may need the services of a qualified Pasadena Social Security Disability attorney.
Pasadena's economy was originally based on agriculture and vineyards. Eventually the economy evolved as more people came to Pasadena looking for employment and economic opportunities. The subsequent real estate booms and tourism market added to the economic climate of the area and Pasadena later become home to a U.S. circuit court and a naval hospital. These changes improved the area's economy and Pasadena has continued to flourish with a growth of industry, jobs and ever-expanding career opportunities.
Applying for Pasadena Social Security Disability Benefits
Pasadena is home to more than 140,000 individuals. Of these residents, nearly 9,000 receive some form of Social Security income and approximately 1,600 receive Supplemental Security Income. The average monthly disability benefit in the State of California is $1,083.80 and it takes a Pasadena resident an average of 449 days to complete a claim for Social Security Disability benefits. While the initial application process only takes three to four months to complete, the fact of the matter is that nearly 70 percent of disability claims are denied during this stage of the claim process. This results in the need for a disability appeal, which means obtaining a hearing before an administrative law judge. Because there are so many cases backlogged in the Social Security system, Pasadena Social Security Disability applicants have to wait more than a year to obtain their day in court.
Hiring a Pasadena Disability Attorney
Hiring a Pasadena Social Security Disability lawyer to represent you in your disability claim can increase your chances of being awarded benefits during the initial stage of your Social Security Disability application. A Pasadena Social Security attorney will understand what evidence will be needed to prove your case to the Social Security administration and will help you gather and present that evidence in such a way that you are likely to receive an approval of your initial disability claim. If, for some reason, your initial claim for benefits is denied, your Pasadena Social Security lawyer will be able to represent you during the complex disability appeal process.
If your initial claim for Social Security Disability benefits has been denied, the first thing your Pasadena disability attorney will do is file a Request for Reconsideration. Unfortunately, chances are that this request will be denied as well. The SSA denies more than 80 percent of the Reconsideration Requests received each year. This means that you will likely have to appear before an administrative law judge at a disability hearing in order to receive the disability benefits you may be entitled to. The good news is that your chances of obtaining Social Security Disability benefits as a result of your disability hearing are significantly higher than at any other stage of the disability claim process. Nearly two-thirds of applicants are awarded benefits at this stage of the disability appeal process. It is important to understand, however, that your chances of a favorable hearing outcome are significantly increased with proper legal representation. This is why it is crucial to your case to retain the services of a Pasadena disability lawyer if you want the best chance of being awarded the disability benefits you deserve.
If your Social Security Disability hearing does not result in an approval of your disability benefits, your Pasadena Social Security attorney may go on to request a review from the Social Security Administration's Appeals Council. Unfortunately, most of these appeals are also denied. However, once this stage of appeals has been completed, you and your lawyer can prepare to take your Social Security Disability case before the Federal District Court.
If your Pasadena Social Security lawyer feels as though your case for disability benefits is a strong one, you are likely to have your benefits granted to you at the hearing stage of the appeal process. If, for some reason, the administrative law judge overseeing your case does not grant your Social Security Disability benefits, your lawyer can discuss the next steps of the appeal process with you and what you should expect each step of the way.
