Louisiana has a Social Security Administration (SSA) that receives millions of Social Security Disability claims every year. The rate of being granted social security claim is very low because only about 40% are granted in the SSA office. Also, it usually takes more than a year before you get disability payments because the appeal process has several steps that the applicant needs to accomplish. The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) is the state agency in control of the necessary disability hearings of the claimant.
Who is Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits in Louisiana?
When you file for disability claims for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, it is only applicable to fully disabled people. They are unable to work because they have a disability whether it is a full disability, partial disability, mental disability, or other kinds of full impairment to the point of inability. Before you are granted Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must first be deemed as disabled by the SSD rules.
When Should You Apply for Social Security Benefits?
In Louisiana, you should be applying for SSI benefits or SSDI benefits as soon as you become disabled so that your application process can get started earlier. You should submit your SSI application or SSDI application as soon as you get diagnosed medically.
Filing Social Security Disability in Louisiana
You will need to fill out all the necessary paperwork in the SSD report and your SSD benefits application available in your local social security office in Louisiana or you can apply online. You will need to give out the information is required by the SSA such as:
- Social Security Number
- Name and birth date of a family member or spouse
- Bank accounts
- Medical records stating your medical conditions and medical eligibility
- Work history including workers compensation and other retirement benefits
What are the Conditions to Qualify for Benefits in Louisiana?
There is a Blue Book in Louisiana where hundreds of different conditions and illnesses are listed that can qualify you for disability benefits. The Blue Book has 14 sections with different conditions that include:
- Digestive System
- Musculoskeletal System
- Respiratory Disorders
- Special Senses and Speech
- Mental Disorders
- Neurological Disorders
- Cancer
- Skin Disorders
- Immune System Disorders
- Endocrine Disorders
- Genitourinary Disorders
- Hematological Disorders
- Cardiovascular System
- Congenital Disorders that Affect Multiple Body Systems
Each section has different qualifying criteria for you to be declared as eligible. The blue book can be used as a reference so you can be certain about what medical disability evidence you need to present for your disability application.
Who can Help You Apply for Disability Benefits?
Anyone can help you through the process of applying for disability benefits. The SSA denies a claim for disability benefits due to technicalities such as not being able to properly fill out the paperwork or failure to submit the evidence needed by the Disability Determination Services (DDS). As such, working with a disability lawyer in Louisiana who is a disability advocate well experienced in handling disability claims can be very helpful. Our disability attorneys in E. Orum Young – Social Security Disability know the regulations and what is needed so that your claim can get approved. Our SSA disability lawyers can represent you in court as well as help you gather medical records and evidence required to make sure that the federal court can accurately review your case. Call us now for a free legal consultation.
