Since it was established in 1935, Social Security has eliminated extreme poverty and hardship for millions of disabled and elderly Americans. Here in southern California, Social Security also boosts the economy in its most essential sectors; housing, utilities, retail, and healthcare. Critics of the SSDI program point to an occasional high-profile abuse of the system, but they seldom if ever mention that the average monthly payment is a modest $1,130 per month or that about half of all SSDI beneficiaries have no other consistent income.
While critics want to make it tougher to receive SSDI, Social Security Administration (SSA) disability criteria are already among the most severe in the developed world. More than half of all SSDI applicants are never approved for benefits. That’s why it’s imperative to have an experienced Los Angeles Social Security attorney working for you when you apply for SSDI benefits and especially if you’ve previously been denied benefits.
When determining eligibility for SSDI, the SSA relies on a set of disability listings (called the “Blue Book”) to classify various medical and psychological conditions that may cause disability. Even if you or a loved one suffer from a physical or mental condition that isn’t “disabling” on the basis of the Blue Book criteria, you may still be able to receive disability payments. If you can prove in court you can’t reliably perform a simple, unskilled job because of physical or psychological issues, you can probably receive SSDI benefits, but you’ll need the help of a good Los Angeles Social Security lawyer. If you suffer from any disability that prevents you from working (whether or not it’s listed in the Blue Book), speak right away with an experienced Los Angeles Social Security attorney who will guide you step-by-step and fight for the financial compensation that is rightfully yours.