Millions of Californians suffer from chronic disabilities. If you are one of them and your condition makes working difficult, then you may need Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). However, you can face numerous obstacles when seeking these benefits, as the Social Security Administration (SSA) has strict requirements that you must meet to qualify – it’s one reason why more than half of disability applications get denied.

At Leland Law, our team understands how important it is for you to get disability benefits and how challenging and bureaucratic the application process can be. Firm attorneys have been helping people in Southern California seek SSDI for more than 50 years, and our current lawyers can offer compassionate and professional legal representation. Whether you are in the early application stage or are looking to appeal your rejection, they have the knowledge and experience to guide you through the system with confidence.

Our founding partner and mentor, Judith S. Leland, was a former Supplemental Security Income (SSI) judge. She passed down her intricate understanding of the SSDI landscape and her passion for helping others to the rest of our firm. Our attorneys carry it with them to offer our clients a unique and personal experience.

Helping clients inside and outside of California Get Disability

Leland Law represents clients throughout across the country in Social Security Disability (SSD) law and other government-sponsored disability benefit matters. Contact one of our Whittier disability law attorneys to schedule a free consultation. We can discuss a variety of programs that may be available, and help you to pursue the appropriate disability benefits for which you may be eligible. Many people are not necessarily aware of the variety of programs, including the Social Security Disability (SSD), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Railroad Employee Retirement benefits programs. For more information about disability benefits, follow the links below. We can also explain the differences between SSD and SSI, as some people may not be aware of each of the programs.

Social Security Disability Eligibility

To be eligible for SSD, you must have physical or mental problems – or a combination of problems – severe enough to keep you from working in any regular paying job for at least 12 months.

Social Security Claims Process

Our lawyers assist people suffering from physical and mental impairments that impact their ability to work. Our attorneys can explain the Social Security claims process involved and help you prepare all necessary information and documentation. They can help you at nearly every step in the process of applying for SSD or SSI, including:

Physical Impairment Claims

If you can’t work due to a physical impairment, such as osteoarthritis or heart disease, you must also show that the impairment has prevented (or is expected to prevent) you from working for 12 continuous months.

  • Spinal disorder disability claims and back injury claims – It often takes an experienced disability lawyer to prove to the Social Security Administration that pain from a back injury, nerve damage or degenerative disc disease is real.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome – A repetitive stress injury that develops over time, unlike injuries that are caused by a specific incident or accident. Our team can help you pursue disability benefits for carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries.
  • A combination of impairments – Even though one of your impairments/disabilities may not be disabling, if a combination of impairments makes it impossible for you to work, then talk to our attorneys. The SSA must consider your whole person, not just each of your disabilities independently.
  • Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD)/complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) – Like spinal disorder claims, it often takes an experienced disability lawyer working with a claimant’s doctors to prove that these disabling conditions are real.

Mental Disorder Disability Claims

It’s very hard for SSA officials to understand that mental disorders are legitimate disabilities because they can’t see inside a person’s head. The system doctor may say that you are fine after a brief evaluation. It is our lawyers’ jobs to present your whole picture to the SSA.

  • Depression and anxiety – These can be two of the most debilitating mental impairments. Understanding how to document your condition and position your case is important in avoiding complications associated with your disability benefits application. Our attorneys work closely with you to ensure that you present all necessary information to the SSA. They’re also ready to represent you if you are denied and an appeal is necessary.

Over Age 50 Disability Claims

If you are over age 50 and no longer able to do your previous job due to a disabling condition, it may be difficult to rehabilitate yourself to do something else. The SSA recognizes that if you have done the same type of work for a long time, you may be less adaptable to new work situations. It is therefore important to make sure that the SSA understands the details of your work.

Chronic Impairment Claims

When you file an SSD or SSI claim for a chronic impairment, such as lupus or chronic fatigue syndrome, you may be sent to a doctor working for the system for an evaluation. However, everyone who has a chronic illness experiences good days and bad days. If the Social Security doctor sees you on a good day, then your claim may be denied. Our lawyers work to provide evidence of your true disabling condition.

Railroad Employee Retirement benefits

We also represent people covered by Railroad Employee Retirement benefits.

Free Consultation – No Fees Unless We Win

To schedule an appointment with one of our experienced disability lawyers, call us at 562-219-4156 or toll-free at 1-866-764-0321 or fill out our simple contact form. There are no consultation fees, and we charge no attorney fee unless our team helps you obtain benefits.