A California resident who is unable to work may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. In order to get these benefits, applicants have to be able to prove they're disabled and that the condition they have is expected to last at least 12 months. Examiners use medical records to determine whether applicants are eligible for benefits. Without current records, it may be more challenging to get a disability claim approved.
How to prepare for a disability benefit hearing
California residents who apply for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits may have their original applications denied. If a reconsideration appeal is also denied, it is possible to have a hearing before a judge. The questions asked in the original application and reconsideration levels tend to be focused more on the medical information that a person gives an examiner.
Medical records and disability benefits
People in California are not required to have a previous medical history to file for the disability benefits the Social Security Administration provides, including Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income. Still, disability examiners prefer that there are medical treatment records they can review to assist with their disability decisions. For individuals who have received some form of treatment for their disability, the medical notes from their personal doctor can provide valuable insight to disability examiners.
SSD applicants can benefit from disability hearings
When people in California apply for Social Security Disability benefits, they may want to figure out how to maximize the likelihood of a positive outcome. However, during the first two stages of the process, there is often little an applicant can do to influence the outcome of their case. When an application for SSD benefits goes through the initial review process and then the reconsideration appeal, disability examiners make the decision about the outcome at those stages.
Firefighters often suffer from muscular injuries at work
It's easy to assume that injured firefighters most commonly suffer from burn injuries or respiratory illnesses due to the more serious risks at hand in their line of work. However, muscular injuries, such as sprains and strains, are actually what most affect firefighters.
Challenging repeated denials of disability benefits
The Social Security Administration frequently denies applications for disability benefits. A denial -- even a second denial after a reconsideration appeal -- does not exhaust options for applicants in California. By obtaining a hearing in front of an administrative law judge, applicants get a third chance. Hearings often prove successful for applicants with representation. Over 60 percent of applicants who bring legal representation to a hearing are awarded benefits.
