Social Security Lawyers in San Luis Obispo, California | San Luis Obispo, CA Social Security Attorneys | San Luis Obispo County, California SSI SSDI Law Firms

Social Security Benefits Questions? San Luis Obispo, California Social Security Attorneys Have Answers

Are you disabled? Do you need help? Social Security could be the solution to your problems. If you have been previously turned down for Social Security benefits, or if you have not applied in the past, an experienced San Luis Obispo Social Security lawyer may be able to increase your odds of qualifying. Don’t wait any longer. Contact a skilled San Luis Obispo Social Security disability lawyer today by filling out the questionnaire on the site.
 

How Important is it to Win your SSI or SSDI Claim
 

More than half of first-time applicants are denied Social Security benefits each year. You do not have to be among the number of people who fail to qualify for benefits. If you are disabled, you can increase the chances of qualifying for Social Security benefits by contacting an experienced San Luis Obispo Social Security attorney. Your Social Security lawyer can help you make a winning case for SSI or SSDI benefits. You do not have to go through this process alone. The advantages of hiring an experienced Social Security professional should not be ignored. Especially when you consider the consequences of losing a Social Security request for benefits. Winning your claim can mean the difference between a qualify life and one that is fraught with difficulty and uncertainty. If are disabled and unable to make a living on your own, you deserve to receive the benefits afforded by the Social Security Administration. Those who qualify may receive monthly checks, and medical coverage through Medicaid or Medicare, food stamps, and additional services provided by the state.
 

Attorneys are Expensive. How Can I Hire an Experienced San Luis Obispo, California Social Security Lawyer When I’m Broke?
 

While attorneys can sometimes be expensive to hire, a San Luis Obispo Social Security attorney is affordable, even for someone who unemployed due to a disability. In almost every case, Social Security attorneys work on what is called a “contingency” fee. This means they only get paid if you win your Social Security benefits claim. The Social Security Administration limits how much a Social Security lawyer can charge clients. Attorneys representing clients before the Social Security Administration are statutorily limited to charging a maximum of 25% of back pay awarded to you (up to a max of $6,000). Basically, what this means is that the lawyer can only charge you up to $6,000 for representing you in a Social Security matter – and often the amount is far less. All you have to do to contact a San Luis Obispo Social Security lawyer is fill out the questionnaire on the site.
 

What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
 

There are two separate Social Security programs that provide disability payments to injured Americans: SSI and SSDI (Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance, respectively). In order to earn disability payments under either program, you must suffer from an injury that (1) prevents you from working for a year or more, or (2) results in death. In general, short-term injuries are not covered by the social security system.
 

1.    How is disability defined in San Luis Obispo, California? - In order to receive Social Security disability benefits, you must meet the Social Security Administration's
        standard for disability.
        a.    The term disability is defined as being unable to engage in “substantial gainful activity” [SGA] due to a of a physical or mental impairment which has lasted
                - or is expected to last - for a minimum of 12 months, or is expected to result in death.
2.    Is working in San Luis Obispo, California a factor in obtaining Social Security disability benefits? - If you are working in San Luis Obispo and the work meets the definition of
       substantial gainful activity, you are considered able to work and, therefore, you are not disabled and would not qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
       In 2012, if you earn more than $1010 per month (after taxes), you are probably not eligible for Social Security, unless there special circumstances exist.
3.    Do You Have a Severe Impairment? - In order to be considered severely impaired, you must have a medical problem that significantly limits your physical or
       mental ability to perform basic work activities. The impairment must be expected to last for 12 months or result in death.
4.    Does Your Medical Condition Match One of SSA’s Listed Impairments? - The Social Security Administration (SSA) has promulgated a list of medical conditions
        ["Listing of Impairments."] of such great severity that the SSA considers people who with the conditions disabled;
        1.    If your condition is not included in the SSA's Listing of Impairments, you have to ask yourself the following question in regard to obtaining Social Security
               Disability Benefits:
               1.  Am I able to do the same type of work I was able to do before the onset of the disability? - If the SSA determines that you are able to continue doing the same
                    work as you did before your medical condition you may have difficulty proving eligibility. The measure of how capable you are at doing your job after the
                   onset of your disability as opposed to before the onset of the disability is called the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). In determining your eligibility for
                   benefits, the SSA compares your current RFC with the physical and mental demands of your past jobs. If you are physically and mentally able to do a job that
                   you have held within the last fifteen years, then SSA considers you "not disabled." If you are not able to perform any of your past jobs,
                   then ask yourself:
5.    Despite Your Medical Condition, Can You Do Other Work? - If you are unable to perform work similar to what you have done in the past, then the SSA will
       determine whether you are able to perform other types of work rather than collect benefits.
 

Can Children in San Luis Obispo, California Qualify for Disability Benefits? Yes, but What is the Criteria?
 

Financially, needy children under age 18 who have serious medical conditions may be eligible for Children's SSI. A child is disabled for SSI if the child is not working and earning more than the SGA level and has a medical condition or combination of conditions that cause "marked and severe functional limitations." Medical evidence documenting the child's medical condition is essential.
 

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – Talk to an Experienced San Luis Obispo, CA Disability Income Lawyer Today

To receive payments under the SSDI program, you must have worked some percentage of the previous years – the exact amount depends on your age. In other words, only those with a work history can qualify. SSDI beneficiaries may also qualify for Medicare coverage. Contact an experienced San Luis Obispo Social Security SSDI attorney to learn more.
 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Contact an experienced San Luis Obispo, California Disability Lawyer
 

Supplemental Security Income, called SSI for short, is available to people who suffer from a disability regardless of work history. SSI pays less in benefits than SSDI but unlike SSDI, you don’t need to have a work history in order to qualify. SSI beneficiaries may also qualify for Medicaid and Food Stamps and other state welfare programs. Contact an experienced San Luis Obispo Social Security SSI attorney today to learn more.
 

Proving a Disability: The Process of Applying for Social Security and Appealing a Review Board Decision – San Luis Obispo, CA Social Security Disability Appeal Lawyers
 

You can begin the application process for Social Security benefits online, in person, or by phone. The process can take a while because the number of applications is generally very high. Usually, you have to wait anywhere between three and six months, maybe longer before you will receive a decision on your eligibility for Social Security. If you are denied benefits, you can appeal your case. Call a San Luis Obispo Social Security lawyer today to discuss the merits of your appeal.
 

The following are a few examples of the types of injuries and illnesses that have previously qualified as a disability for Social Security:
 

Local SSA Office in San Luis Obispo, CA
 

Low Cost Hospitals in and near San Luis Obispo, California
 

Pharmacies in San Luis Obispo, California
 

San Luis Obispo Weather (Monthly Averages)
 

San Luis Obispo social security disability attorneys serve clients throughout Central Coast California including Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Blacklake, Callender, Cambria, Cayucos, Creston, Edna, Los Berros, Los Osos, Los Ranchos, Oceano, San Miguel, San Simeon, Santa Margarita, Templeton, Whitley Gardens and other communities in Monterey County, Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County.