Most people are aware that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is a part of the federal government and that it pays older, retired people monthly checks. What you may not realize, however, is that the SSA also issues monthly checks to disabled children and disabled adults under 62 years of age. The SSDI program and the SSI program are two federal programs that issue cash benefits to people under retirement age who meet the SSA’s definition of disability. If you are disabled and unable to work in southern California, you should be receiving benefits; speak to an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability attorney at once.
In order to be eligible for Social Security disability payments, you must be “disabled.” For Social Security purposes, you are “disabled” if you have a medical problem that prevents you from performing “substantial gainful activity.” Substantial activity can be employment, volunteer work, or even school. Additionally, your medical problem must be severe enough that it has lasted or will last at least a year. Social Security disability does not pay for short-term medical problems that are expected to heal within a year’s time.
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is an earned benefit for workers with physical and mental disabilities. SSDI benefits may be received by blinded or disabled workers, their surviving children and spouses, and adults who have been disabled since childhood or birth. In contrast, SSI (Supplemental Security Income) benefits were created for low-income adults 65 or older; adults who are disabled (according to the SSA definition) or blind; and children who are disabled or blind. The SSI program is restricted to those with limited incomes and few assets.
If you need to receive monthly payments through either SSDI or SSI, the application process can be lengthy, and applications are frequently rejected the first time you apply. That’s why you need to have legal help from a good Social Security disability lawyer. You have the right to appeal a rejection, but you’ll need a good disability lawyer to accompany you to the hearing and prepare you for it. If you qualify to receive SSI or SSDI benefits, you are legally entitled to the payments. If you can’t work and you aren’t receiving benefits, don’t wait. Call an experienced Los Angeles Social Security disability attorney today.