Living with a disability is hard enough without the added worry of how you’ll support yourself or your family. If you can’t work because of a serious health condition, you deserve real help. At Disability Advocates of America, our Social Security Disability benefits lawyer in Bakersfield understands what you’re going through and is here to make the process easier. We help individuals and families across California apply for and secure the SSDI benefits they’ve earned through years of hard work. With guidance, compassion, and experience on your side, you can take back control of your future and focus on what matters most: your health and peace of mind.
Getting Help Is Easy
Just give us a call or fill out our online form and we will come to you or meet with you over the phone. You don’t even have to leave your house!
You Are Not Alone
The Social Security system can be tough to navigate, but you’re not alone. Our team of disability advocates will fight for the benefits you may qualify for!
Support You Can Afford
There’s no cost to get started with your free case review! We also don’t have any upfront costs, and if we don’t win your case, you won’t owe us a thing.
Table of Contents
- What Is Social Security Disability Insurance?
- Are You Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits?
- How to Apply for SSDI Benefits in Bakersfield
- How to Appeal If Your SSDI Claim Was Denied
- How a Bakersfield SSDI Attorney Improves Your Chances of Approval
- FAQs About SSDI
- Speak With a Bakersfield SSDI Lawyer About Your Disability Claim
- Related Articles & Info
What Is Social Security Disability Insurance?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program that provides monthly income to workers who become disabled before reaching retirement age. It’s managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and funded through your payroll taxes.
To qualify, you must have earned enough work credits through past employment and have a disability recognized by the SSA that prevents substantial gainful activity for at least 12 months. If your condition limits your ability to work, our SSDI attorney in Bakersfield can help determine if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Are You Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits?
The SSA follows strict guidelines to determine who qualifies for SSDI. You must meet the following requirements to receive benefits:
- Have a medically proven condition that prevents you from performing substantial work for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death; and
- Have earned enough work credits through your past employment and payment of Social Security taxes.
Work credits are based on your annual earnings, and most workers need at least 40 credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.
Common qualifying disabilities include:
- Musculoskeletal disorders (like back injuries or arthritis)
- Neurological conditions (such as multiple sclerosis or epilepsy)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Mental health conditions (including depression, anxiety, and PTSD)
- Cancer and immune system disorders
In California, disability determinations are reviewed by the Disability Determination Service Division (DDSD), which partners with the SSA to evaluate your medical and work history. A skilled disability lawyer in Bakersfield can help ensure your records fully support your eligibility under both federal and state guidelines.
How to Apply for SSDI Benefits in Bakersfield
Applying for SSDI benefits can feel overwhelming, especially when your financial security depends on it. The process requires careful attention to detail and strong supporting evidence. With guidance from a Bakersfield Social Security disability lawyer, you can move forward confidently knowing your application is complete and accurate.
Here’s what the process typically looks like:
- Submit Your Application: You can apply for SSDI online, by phone, or at your local Social Security office. Your application will include personal information, work history, and medical details about your disability. Accuracy is important, as small mistakes can lead to long delays or denials.
- Provide Detailed Medical Evidence: The SSA relies heavily on medical documentation. You’ll need to include records from doctors, hospitals, clinics, and specialists. This evidence should clearly show how your condition limits your ability to perform substantial gainful activity. A disability lawyer can help you collect and organize these records to strengthen your claim.
- Include Work History and Job Details: The SSA evaluates whether you can perform your previous work or adjust to new types of work. Submitting a complete employment history helps demonstrate your work credits and why your condition prevents you from continuing work.
- Wait for the SSA’s Decision: Initial decisions can take months, but timelines can vary. During this time, the SSA may contact you for more information or request a consultative medical exam. Your attorney can communicate with the SSA on your behalf to keep your application on track.
- File an Appeal if Denied: If your application is denied, you have 60 days to appeal. Many applicants win approval during this stage, especially with help from an experienced disability advocate who understands how to present strong medical and vocational evidence.
Throughout each step, your SSDI lawyer in Bakersfield can help ensure your claim meets all federal and California standards, minimize errors, and represent your interests. Having the right guidance improves your chances of approval and provides peace of mind during an already stressful time.
How to Appeal If Your SSDI Claim Was Denied
More than half of all SSDI claims are denied initially. Don’t lose hope—many successful claims are approved during the appeal process. You have the right to appeal through several levels:
- Reconsideration: Another SSA representative will review your file and any new evidence you provide. This step allows you to clarify details or add updated medical information that strengthens your claim.
- Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): You can present additional evidence, testify about your condition, and explain how your disability affects your ability to work.
- Appeals Council Review: The Appeals Council examines whether the ALJ made an error or overlooked important details. They can affirm, modify, or return your case for another hearing to ensure a fair review.
- Federal Court Review: If necessary, your case can be taken to federal court, where a judge will evaluate whether the SSA followed the law and considered the evidence correctly. This stage focuses on ensuring your rights were protected throughout the process.
Our disability advocates help you prepare every step of the way, collecting medical proof, organizing your case, and presenting your strongest possible argument to secure the benefits you may be entitled to. Reach out today for a free case review.
How a Bakersfield SSDI Attorney Improves Your Chances of Approval
Navigating the SSDI system on your own can be stressful, time-consuming, and confusing. Federal and state disability laws involve complex rules, tight deadlines, and extensive medical documentation. Having a Bakersfield Social Security disability benefits attorney by your side gives you the confidence and guidance you need to move forward successfully.
Our attorney, Dr. Bill LaTour, has dedicated his career to helping individuals in Bakersfield and across California get the SSDI benefits they need. With his unique background in both law and psychology, Dr. LaTour understands how your physical and mental health challenges impact your ability to work, and how to present that evidence effectively to the SSA.
Here’s how Dr. LaTour can make a difference in your case:
- Deep knowledge of federal and California disability law
- Builds a strong, evidence-based case
- Handles all deadlines and paperwork
- Communicates directly with the SSA
- Represents you at hearings and beyond
- Offers personal guidance and support
- Fights for maximum benefits
Studies consistently show that people represented by an attorney are more likely to be approved for benefits than those who apply on their own. With professional guidance from Disability Advocates of America, you can focus on your health while a skilled advocate fights to secure your financial support.
FAQs About SSDI
SSDI is based on your work history and the number of work credits you’ve earned through Social Security taxes. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a need-based program for people with limited income and resources who may not have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI.
Yes, you can work part-time under the SSA’s trial work period program. This allows you to test your ability to work while still receiving benefits, as long as your income doesn’t exceed the SSA’s monthly limit for substantial gainful activity.
If your SSDI application was denied, don’t give up. You have the right to appeal, and many people are approved during this process. A qualified disability lawyer, like Dr. Bill LaTour, can help strengthen your case, gather additional evidence, and represent you before the SSA.
SSDI benefit amounts vary for each person and are based on your lifetime earnings and Social Security contributions. Most recipients receive a monthly payment that reflects their average indexed monthly earnings, with potential additional amounts for eligible dependents.
The timeline can vary depending on the complexity of your case and the SSA’s workload. Most applicants receive a decision within 3 to 6 months, though some cases take longer if additional medical evidence is required. Working with an SSDI lawyer can help keep your claim moving efficiently.
Applicants represented by a disability lawyer are more likely to be approved than those who apply on their own. A lawyer can help ensure your application is complete, provides strong medical evidence, and presents your case in the best possible light.
Speak With a Bakersfield SSDI Lawyer About Your Disability Claim
If your disability prevents you from working, Disability Advocates of America is here to help. Our Social Security disability benefits lawyer in Bakersfield will fight to get you approved for the benefits you may be entitled to for your years of hard work.
When you work with our team, you’re gaining trusted disability advocates who listen, explain your options clearly, and fight to get your SSDI claim approved as quickly as possible. From gathering medical evidence to communicating with the SSA, we handle the details so you can focus on your health and recovery.
Your future and financial security matter. Don’t wait to get the help you deserve—contact us today for a free case evaluation. We’re ready to help you take the next step toward securing SSDI benefits.
Related Articles & Info
General Information
- The Four Most Common Reasons Disability Benefits May Be Revoked in California
- How Social Security Benefit Claims Are Evaluated To Determine Benefit Amounts
- Can A Debt Collector Garnish My Social Security Disability Benefits?
- Everything You Need to Know About Covered Earnings and Its Impact on Your Disability Benefits
- Your Comprehensive Guide to California’s Disability Laws
- How Much Does SSDI Pay Per Month on Average in California?
- How Long Can You Receive Social Security Disability Living in California?
- How Much Does a Disability Lawyer Cost in California?
- How Does Disability Back Pay Work in California?
- Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security
The Disability Application Process
- How Long Do I Have To Wait After Becoming Disabled To Apply For Disability Benefits?
- How To Appeal a Denied Disability Claim in California
- What You Should and Shouldn’t Say in Your California Disability Benefits Application
- Signs Your Disability Claim Will Be Approved in California
- Disability Hearing Questions: What To Expect and How To Answer
- How To Pass a Continuing Disability Review & Keep Your Benefits
Eligibility Requirements
- Am I Eligible To Receive Social Security Disability in California If I’ve Never Had A Job?
- Can I Be Denied Social Security Disability If I Make Too Much Money?
- Do I Qualify To Receive My Disability Back Payments As A Lump Sum?
- Am I Eligible For Social Security Disability Benefits If I Also Receive Veterans Disability Benefits
- Am I Eligible To Receive Social Security Payments As A Surviving Spouse?
- I Receive Social Security Disability in California — Am I Still Eligible for Medicare or Medicaid?
- Unemployment and Disability: Are You Eligible for Both in California?
- Can You Get Retirement and Disability in California?
- Can You Get Disability If You Are Self-Employed in California?
- Can You Work While on Disability in California?
Does Your Condition Qualify?
- Does Having Emphysema Make Me Eligible For Social Security Disability Benefits in California?
- Wondering What Injuries Qualify for Disability Benefits?
- Can You Get Disability For Celiac Disease in California?
- What Types of Cancer Qualify for Disability in California?
- Can You Get Disability For a Herniated Disc in California?
- Can You Get Disability For Epilepsy in California?
- Can You Get Disability For Degenerative Disc Disease in California?
- Can You Get Disability For Anxiety in California?
- Can You Get Disability For Scoliosis in California?
- Can You Get Disability For Narcolepsy in California?
- Am I Eligible For Disability Benefits If I Have Dyslexia?
- Does a Stroke Qualify for Disability in California?
- Can You Get Disability for Hearing Loss in California?
- Can You Get Disability for Back Pain in California?
- Can You Get Disability for Parkinson’s Disease in California?
- Does Chronic Pain Qualify for Disability in California?
- What Heart Problems Qualify for Disability in California?