Tahoe City Is located on the shore of Lake Tahoe, a popular tourist destination in California. Lake Tahoe is located at a high elevation, allowing visitors to enjoy warm, dry summers and cold winters. Lake Tahoe receives a significant amount of snowfall every winter, making it a popular skiing destination during the winter. Lake Tahoe boasts several four-star dining locations, galleries, shopping, and a lake-view boardwalk. Visitors also enjoy Tahoe City’s historic sites and museums. Roeschke Law, LLC, regularly represents Lake Tahoe clients who have become eligible for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration.
Are You Entitled to Social Security Disability Benefits in Lake Tahoe?
If you cannot work in Lake Tahoe due to a medical condition or disability, you may be entitled to monthly cash benefits. One of our experienced Social Security attorneys will evaluate your case and help you apply for Social Security benefits. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Roeschke Law, LLC to learn whether you qualify for these important benefits.
The Difference Between SSDI and SSI Benefits
The first step in obtaining benefits is to determine the type of benefits for which you qualify. The Social Security Administration offers two different benefits programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both of these programs provide recipients with monthly cash payments. However, the eligibility requirements are different.
SSDI benefits are available to applicants between the ages of 18 and 65. The Social Security Administration doesn’t consider the applicant’s income level when determining eligibility. Instead, claims adjusters review the applicant’s work history to determine if he or she has enough work credits. Workers earn work credits by paying into the Social Security system through their paychecks.
The Social Security Administration uses the means test when determining SSI eligibility. In other words, if the applicant owns too many assets or has an income level above the limit, he or she will not qualify. However, the equity in an applicant’s primary home isn’t included when calculating his or her financial resources. If you aren’t sure whether you qualify for SSDI, SSI benefits, or both, Roeschke Law, LLC, is here to help. Our attorneys have an in-depth understanding of the eligibility requirements for Social Security benefits, and we will help you navigate your claim.
Which Medical Conditions Qualify for Social Security Benefits?
The Social Security Administration awards disability benefits based on the applicant’s disabling medical condition. Claims examiners use a manual called the “Blue Book” to decide whether an applicant’s condition is severe enough to qualify him or her for benefits. The Blue Book contains lists of qualifying medical conditions categorized based on the body system. There are hundreds of qualifying medical conditions listed in the Blue Book, such as:
- Cardiovascular conditions, such as heart failure or coronary artery disease
- Muscular-skeletal conditions, such as spinal cord damage
- Voice and sensory difficulties, such as hearing loss and vision impairment
- Breathing conditions, such as asthma and COPD
In addition to the disabling conditions listed in the blue book, 88 medical conditions automatically qualify the applicant for disability benefits through the Compassionate Allowances program. This program is intended to expedite the claim so that an applicant with a severe medical condition can obtain benefits as quickly as possible.
Applying for Disability Benefits in Lake Tahoe
Applying for Social Security benefits is a complicated process. You will need to include a significant amount of information about your medical condition and work history in your application. Working with an experienced disability benefits lawyer will lower the likelihood that the Social Security Administration will deny your application.
At Roeschke Law, LLC, our attorneys had successfully filed hundreds of Social Security disability applications. We understand what the Social Security Administration requires in applications, and we will complete your application for you, ensuring that it is accurate and thorough. Our legal team handles all of the work so you can focus on your medical treatment.
Common Reasons For Social Security Disability Claim Denials
Most first-time applications for Social Security disability benefits are denied. Examiners deny claims for a variety of reasons, including errors and omissions. In some cases, the Social Security Administration will deny a claim because the applicant doesn’t have enough work credits when applying for SSDI, or the applicant doesn’t meet the means test when applying for SSI. In other cases, the applicant’s medical record doesn’t support the claim. Applications must contain enough evidence to show that the applicant’s disability meets the Social Security Administration’s definition of a disability.
Lake Tahoe Social Security Disability Hearing Lawyer
When the Social Security Administration denies a claim, they will send out a denial letter. The letter will state the reason they denied the claim. The applicant must file a request for reconsideration within 60 days of receiving the denial letter. At this point, a different disability examiner will review the application. The applicant will need to show that the medical condition has worsened or that he or she has a new diagnosis.
Less than 20% of reconsideration claims are approved. If your claim is denied, you will need to request a disability hearing.
At a disability hearing, your lawyer will attend along with vocational and expert witnesses. Your hearing will not be a court proceeding in front of a judge but a less formal proceeding in front of an administrative law judge. The administrative law judge will ask you questions regarding your medical treatment, the nature of your medical condition, and your work history. The judge will also ask you questions about how your condition causes you limitations. If the administrative law judge denies your claim at the hearing, you have the option to appeal to the Appeals Council.
Contact a Lake Tahoe Social Security Disability Benefits Lawyer Today
If you have questions about obtaining Social Security benefits in Lake Tahoe, turn to Roeschke Law, LLC Las Vegas. The sooner you contact our office, the sooner we can begin helping you seek the Social Security disability benefits you deserve.