Please note that Gade & Parekh, LLP remains open at this time during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are currently accepting new clients and are actively assisting our current clients with all ongoing case needs. Although we are unable to meet with clients in person at this time, we are happy to conduct appointments by telephone or video conference for the safety of our clients and staff. We remain dedicated in providing caring and personalized legal representation.

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916-648-8600

La Riviera SSDI Lawyer

Practice Areas

La Riviera Practice Areas

Our Attorneys

Elizabeth L. Gade Phone: (916) 648-8600
Roopen Parekh Phone: (916) 648-8600

Let’s Talk About Your Case.

Please note: We only handle disability claims and do not handle retirement issues

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Areas Served

La Riviera SSDI Attorney

When you’ve become seriously ill or suffered an injury after a lifetime of working, you expect to be able to rely on the Social Security benefits you paid into for years, but that process is not always simple. Many applicants are denied Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits during the initial application stage. You may benefit from the assistance of a La Riviera SSDI lawyer who understands the claims process and can help either appeal a denial or begin the application process correctly from the start.

Who makes the final decision on Social Security disability?

Hire an SSDI Lawyer

It shouldn’t be difficult to access the benefits you’ve paid into, but many people throughout the greater Sacramento County area encounter issues during the application process. When you hire an SSDI lawyer, they can take over the burden of gathering evidence and submitting paperwork so you can focus on recovery. 

At Gade & Parekh, LLP, we have over 40 years of combined experience helping individuals in La Riviera, Rancho Cordova, and the surrounding Sacramento communities pursue the disability benefits they may qualify to receive.

SSDI Recipients in the United States

SSDI benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), which publishes regular reports showing how many Americans currently receive disability benefits. According to the SSA’s Social Security Disability Insurance Program statistical report, as of December 2024, 8,614,659 people nationwide were receiving Social Security disability benefits.

Of those recipients:

  • 83.9% were disabled workers.
  • 13.8% were disabled, adult children of workers.
  • 2.3% were disabled widows or widowers.

If your initial application for SSDI benefits has been denied, you may have to attend a hearing when appealing that decision. A La Riviera SSDI attorney can help prepare your appeal and increase the chances of your request being approved.

The Sacramento Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) handles SSDI benefits cases. Many hearings are conducted through video or telephone conferencing, although in-person hearings may also be scheduled when necessary.

SSDI Steps to Determine Eligibility

Before beginning the SSDI application process, it is helpful to review whether you meet the program’s eligibility requirements. The Social Security Administration relies on two primary work-history tests to determine whether applicants qualify.

These tests include:

  • Recent Work Test. To be eligible for benefits, you need recent work history.
    • If you are under the age of 24, you need to have worked at least one year and six months out of the last three years.
    • If you are between 24 and 30 years old, you need to have worked at least half of the time since you turned 21.
    • If you are 31 years old or older, you have to have worked five years out of the last ten.
  • Duration of Work Test. This requirement evaluates how long you have worked over the course of your lifetime while paying Social Security taxes.
    • If you are 43 years old or younger, you have to have worked the same number of years as the Recent Work Test.
    • At age 44, you have to have worked a total of five and a half years in your lifetime. Every two years after age 44, the requirement is increased by half a year up to age 60.

You have to pass both the Recent Work Test and the Duration of Work Test to be eligible for SSDI benefits.

SSDI Steps to Determine If You Have a Disability

Not every disability is covered under SSDI benefits. The SSA also evaluates whether your medical condition meets its definition of disability. To make that determination, the agency reviews five key questions:

  • Are you working at a level considered substantial gainful activity?
  • Is your condition severe enough to limit work activity?
  • Is your condition on the Social Security Administration’s list of impairments?
  • Can you do the same work you did before?
  • Can you do any other types of work?

Based on the answers to these questions, you may or may not have a disability covered by SSDI benefits. An experienced SSDI attorney can review your medical records and employment history to help determine whether your condition meets these requirements and assist with preparing a complete application.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Most an SSDI Lawyer Can Charge?

A: The SSA has set a maximum amount that an SSDI lawyer can charge when representing a client in an SSDI benefits case. The lawyer can only charge a maximum of 25% of any awarded back pay or $9,200, whichever amount is lower. Lawyers are not allowed to require a minimum amount that would result in a higher payment. Lawyers do have the option to request an additional fee from the court for cases with extraordinary circumstances.

Q: What Are the Odds of Winning a Disability Case?

A: The odds of winning a disability case vary at each step of the process. The odds of being approved through the initial application are low, as are the odds when requesting a reconsideration. Hearing approvals are higher, but applicants who are represented by an attorney are more likely to be approved than those who do not have representation. Your chances of being approved increase when you have strong medical evidence and a history of consistent treatment.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer to Get SSDI Benefits?

A: There is no legal requirement to have a lawyer when applying for SSDI benefits, but applicants who use a lawyer are more likely to be approved than applicants who represent themselves. A lawyer is especially beneficial if your initial application has been denied and you are seeking an appeal. An SSDI lawyer can help you gather medical records, meet strict filing deadlines, and present your case during the appeal hearing.

Q: How Long Does an SSDI Claim Take to Process?

A: The amount of time an SSDI claim takes to process varies with the unique factors of each case. More complex cases take longer than simpler, straightforward cases. If the case is approved after the initial application, the process does not take more than a few months. If the initial application is denied, additional time is needed for the case to be reconsidered. Case backlogs can also increase the overall wait time.

Contact Gade & Parekh, LLP

Our team offers a compassionate approach to helping you seek SSDI benefits. We understand how difficult it can be when you are sick or injured and unable to work. Many people would rather continue with the career they love than have to recover from an illness or injury. 

When you need guidance and support, we’re ready to help you through this difficult process. Contact Gade & Parekh, LLP, today to schedule your initial consultation with a La Riviera SSDI lawyer.

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