Davis Social Security Disability Lawyer
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Davis Social Security Disability Attorney
If you are facing a disability and seeking to apply for Social Security disability benefits, a Davis Social Security disability lawyer at Gade & Parekh, LLP, can help you. Living with a disability brings its own set of challenges. You should not have the added stress of understanding the benefits process and potentially getting denied. We can work to get you the benefits you need.
Understanding Social Security Disability
People who cannot engage in significant gainful employment due to physical or mental impairments are eligible for Social Security disability benefits. In California, your work history and Social Security contributions determine your SSDI eligibility, whereas your income and assets are also taken into account for SSI eligibility.
To be eligible, your condition must prevent you from earning more than the substantial gainful activity (SGA) criterion. In 2025, this amount is $1,620. Your disability must also last or be expected to last at least a year, and it must substantially impede your ability to do basic work duties. Social Security assesses claims based on your job history, your medical records, and how your handicap affects your day-to-day activities.
Disability payments can be given to disabled workers, widows, or their children. However, the majority are awarded to the workers themselves. In December 2023, it was reported that 523,834 workers received benefits, accounting for 89% of disability payments. Benefits were ceased for 788,327.
The Social Security Process
When you apply for disability, the process usually begins with an interview. You can either do this in person or over the phone. After this, your application is sent to the state’s disability determination office. At this point, an examiner will collect relevant records, such as your medical records. They will also likely communicate with your doctor or other medical professionals to see if your condition meets the criteria.
Your examiner will take in the evidence and determine if you can work your previous job or make an adjustment to a different field of work. Your medical history will have a strong influence on their determination, as will your work history.
Appeals Process
Unfortunately, only a small number of applications are approved on the first try. Fortunately, many applications are approved after the appeals process. If your claim is denied, you may file an appeal. A Davis Social Security disability attorney can guide you through this process:
- Reconsideration. The process typically begins with the Social Security Administration (SSA) reconsidering your case. They will usually do this with a different examiner than the one who reviewed your initial application.
- Hearing before a judge. Hearing before a judge. You may have to appear in a local courthouse, such as the Yolo County Superior Court. You may bring your attorney, and they can represent you in front of the administrative law judge.
- Review. The appeals council will review your case. In some cases, it progresses to a higher SSA authority.
In addition, the SSA may conduct regular reviews to remain updated on your condition and make sure you still need benefits. Be sure to maintain documentation, especially medical records, so you can prove your eligibility.
Why Hire a Social Security Disability Lawyer?
When you hire a Davis Social Security disability lawyer, they can greatly improve how well your claim goes. It can be difficult to navigate the complicated Social Security disability legislation and paperwork, and a knowledgeable attorney who is well-versed in Social Security disability laws can make sure your application is thorough and properly recorded. They can compile necessary medical information, arrange your employment history, and skillfully make your case to the Social Security Administration.
To improve your prospects of approval, a Davis Social Security disability attorney can also defend you at hearings or appeals, such as those held at the Yolo County Superior Court. Getting personalized guidance lowers stress and increases your chances of receiving the benefits you are entitled to.
About Gade & Parekh, LLP
We at Gade & Parekh, LLP, are aware of how difficult it can be to go about daily life when you have a significant disability. For SSDI and SSI claims, we understand disability claims and can handle your case with the care it needs.
To create strong cases, our lawyers, Elizabeth Gade and Roopen Parekh, collaborate closely with medical professionals. They have years of experience in dealing with complex Social Security disability cases.
FAQs
Q: Which Conditions Do Not Count as a Disability?
A: Conditions that do not count as a disability include temporary illnesses. Disability is meant to cover long-term or lifelong illnesses. Therefore, if an illness is easily treatable or a minor condition that does not significantly impact your ability to work, your application will likely be denied. Also, if an injury is self-inflicted through substance use or any other non-medical reason, it does not qualify as a disability.
Q: What Is the Hardest Disability to Get Approved For?
A: Disabilities that lack objective medical evidence or are based on subjective symptoms, such as chronic pain or fatigue, can be among the most difficult to prove. Mental health conditions, particularly if poorly documented, may also be subject to closer examination. The process is most difficult when the disability does not clearly prevent substantial gainful activity or if there is a lack of supporting documentation from qualified medical professionals.
Q: What Is the Average Social Security Disability Check in California?
A: The average Social Security disability benefit amount can differ, depending on the work history, earnings, and specific disability program (SSDI or SSI) a person qualifies for. In California, the average SSI or SSDI benefit amount is comparable to national figures, but it can be influenced by local cost-of-living and eligibility criteria. These benefits are intended to provide financial assistance for those who cannot work due to a medically determinable impairment.
Q: What Illness Automatically Qualifies for Disability?
A: Social Security has a list of serious medical conditions that automatically qualify for disability if they meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability. The list includes advanced cancers, end-stage organ disease, and certain neurological disorders, among others. The SSA lists these in its Blue Book. Qualifying conditions often require documentation by a physician, stating the severity and duration of the condition.
Contact Gade & Parekh, LLP, Today
Having a disability can be difficult for your day-to-day life, but the process of applying for benefits doesn’t have to be. Gade & Parekh, LLP, can assemble and present your case to obtain the benefits you deserve. Contact us today for a consultation.