Helping Louisiana Residents Win Social Security Disability Benefits
Most claims for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income are initially denied, even when a case seems certain. However, a denied claim is not the end of the road. Having a skilled attorney represent your claim for Social Security Disability is highly effective and can greatly influence the outcome of a win versus a final denial.
If you are a resident of Louisiana and your initial SSD or SSI claim was denied, our Social Security Disability attorneys will handle your case by aggressively appealing your claim through each administrative level, and as necessary in Federal Court.
Other Ways You Can Apply
Apply With Your Local Office
You can do most of your business with Social Security online. If you cannot use these online services, your local Social Security office can help you apply. Although our offices are closed to the public, employees from those offices are assisting people by telephone. You can find the phone number for your local office by using our Office Locator and looking under Social Security Office Information. The toll-free Office number is your local office.
Apply By Phone
If You Do Not Live in the U.S. Or One of Its Territories
Contact the if you live outside the U.S. or a U.S. territory and wish to apply for retirement benefits.
Mailing Your Documents
If you mail any documents to us, you must include the Social Security number so that we can match them with the correct application. Do not write anything on the original documents. Please write the Social Security number on a separate sheet of paper and include it in the mailing envelope along with the documents.
Louisiana Business And Career Solution Centers
The Louisiana Workforce Commission operates local centers across the state to assist Louisiana veterans and eligible spouses in finding employment with job assistance, job and training referral, and job placement, including apprenticeship programs. Participants receive priority of service for all Louisiana Workforce Commission job training programs.
To be eligible, the service member must:
- have served on active duty for more than 180 days and be discharged with an other-than dishonorable discharge, or
- be discharged from active duty because of a service-connected disability, or
- have served in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty during a wartime period, or when a campaign medal is authorized, and be discharged with an other-than dishonorable discharge.
Also eligible is the spouse of any service member or veteran who:
- Dies from a service-connected disability
- Is declared missing in action or a prisoner of war
- Has a total and permanent service-connected disability.
Learn more about Louisiana Veterans Employment and Training Services.
Recommended Reading: Is Disability Insurance Tax Deductible For Corporations
What Are The Documents You Need
The following documents are needed for you to be eligible:
- Personal information
- Birth certificate or other proof of birth
- U.S. Citizenship or lawful alien status if you are born outside the United States
- U.S. military discharge papers for those who made military service before 1968
- Tax returns from the prior year
- Proof of other types of benefits you received
What Is The Disability Determination Process
Most disability claims are initially processed through the network of local Social Security field offices and State agencies. In Louisiana, the state agency is called Disability Determination Services . Subsequent appeals of unfavorable determinations may be decided by Hearing Officers in the DDS’s Hearing Units or Administrative Law Judges in SSA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals.
Also Check: Gerald Welt Attorney Las Vegas
Louisiana Veteran Benefits: Frequently Asked Questions
Are there special property tax exemptions available to Louisiana veterans and disabled veterans?
Qualifying veterans may take a homestead exemption that applies to the first $7,500 in assessed value. An additional exemption of $7,500 is also available to disabled veterans or active-duty service members killed in action. The unremarried surviving spouse of a deceased veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 100%, unemployability, or designated totally disabled by the VA, is also eligible for this exemption if the surviving spouse remains the owner and lives on the property. If the surviving spouse moves to a new property, they can still receive the exemption, but only up to the amount of the exemption on the first property. The owner will owe property taxes for any assessed amount over $15,000.
Are there tuition benefits for Louisiana veterans families?
In-state tuition rates are granted to veterans, active-duty service members, and dependents attending any Louisiana public college or university. Eligibility requirements apply.
Louisiana Title 29 Dependents Educational Assistance helps surviving spouses of deceased veterans, children of veterans rated with 90% or more service-connected disability, and children of veterans rated with 100% service-connected disability. Spouses and children related to these veterans may attend any state college, university, trade, or vocational/technical school exempt from tuition and school-imposed fees.
If I Am Disabled What Benefits Can I Apply For From The Social Security Administration
The;Social Security Administration administers 2 programs for people who have disabilities- Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income .; People who have a disability may be able to qualify for benefits under either program.
SSDI pays benefits to people who have physical and mental conditions that prevent people from working if you worked long enough and paid social security taxes. The condition must be expected to last for at least 12 months or to end in death. ;Learn more about SSDI;here.
SSI pays benefits to help disabled adults and children who have very limited income and assets. Learn more about SSI;here.
Recommended Reading: How To Change Gi Bill Direct Deposit
Finding A Disability Lawyer In Louisiana
Having a disability attorney in Louisiana is significantly beneficial in a disability appeal due to the large chance of being denied benefits despite their disability claims. Disability lawyers in Louisiana that specialize in Social Security Law will greatly increase the chances of winning the case. We at E. Orum Young Law will help you get your federal disability benefits as well as assist you in the appeals counsel, appeals process, and represent you in federal court. .;
What Will Happen To Health Care Providers If A Majority Of Their Patients/residents No Longer Have A Payer Source
We expect this will have an impact on any provider who serves Medicaid patients. This is a major concern for the Department not only for now but for the future, as there is a possibility that some providers may go out of business and not be able to reopen if they lose Medicaid patients for as little as a month.
Read Also: Average Disability Check
Louisiana Social Security Disability Lawyers
You work hard to earn money to support your family. But when youre injured or become disabled and cant bring a paycheck home, you need help. Fortunately, Social Security Disability benefits are designed to aid workers who cant return to their jobs due to severe medical conditions that are expected to last at least one year or result in death.
However, SSD claims can be difficult to obtain on yourown. It helps to have a Social Security Disability attorney in your corner withthe knowledge and experience necessary to help get your SSD claim approved.
The Louisiana Social Security Disability attorneys at Dudley DeBosier are here for you. Not only do we know how hard it can be to get approved for benefits on your own, but we also know what it takes to maximize your chances of approval. We have lawyers in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport who serve Social Security Disability clients throughout the state, and we want to help you, too. Call us today at or complete our free consultation form now to get started.;
What Do I Need To Know About Advance Designation
You should be aware of another type of representation called Advance Designation. This relates to the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2018, which was signed into law on April 13, 2018.
Advance Designation allows capable adult and emancipated minor applicants and beneficiaries of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Special Veterans Benefits to choose one or more individuals to serve as their representative payee in the future, if the need arises.
To help protect whats important to you, we now offer the option to choose a representative payee in advance. In the event that you can no longer make your own decisions, you and your family will have peace of mind knowing you already chose someone you trust to manage your benefits. If you need a representative payee to assist with the management of your benefits, we will first consider your advance designees, but we must still fully evaluate them and determine their suitability at that time.
You can submit your advance designation request when you apply for benefits or after you are already receiving benefits. You may do so through your personal account, by telephone, or in person.
You May Like: Can You Get Disability For Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Applying For Social Security Disability
You should;apply for disability benefits;as soon as you become disabled. You can complete some or all of the forms online or you may call the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment.;Staff personnel at SSA office can assist you either in person or by phone.
Odar Disability Hearing Offices In Louisiana
Disability hearings for Louisiana residents are held at one of four Office of Adjudication & Review offices, depending on where you live.
Alexandria ODAR
Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Read Also: How Much Does Sdi Pay In California
Louisiana Veteran And Disabled Veteran Drivers License Or Id Card
Louisiana offers a drivers license or ID card with a Veteran indicator showing that the cardholder is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Veterans who received an honorable discharge are eligible. No fee is charged if the veteran surrenders their valid drivers license or ID card when requesting the Veteran card. Fees apply if the veteran requests to add the Veteran indicator during the renewal period or when requesting a duplicate.
Veterans must provide documented proof of the character of their discharge; refer to;Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles Policy 2.02 Veteran Indicator;for a list of acceptable documentation.
Louisiana disabled veterans who are rated as 100% disabled can receive a 100% DAV indicator on their drivers license. Proof of disability rating is required.
Request An Appeal Online
Recent changes to the appeals process now make it possible to request an appeal online if you were recently denied Social Security benefits or Supplemental Security Income . This can save you time and may lead to a faster decision. You can also go online to check the status of your appeal.
To request an appeal online:;
Read Also: How Much Is Disability In Ca
Am I Eligible To Receive Ssdi Benefits
SSDI pays monthly benefits to workers who can no longer work because of a significant illness or condition that is expected to last at least a year or to result in death within a year. Payments begin after you have been disabled for at least five full months. Payments usually start in your sixth month of disability.
Benefits For Disabled Children
There must be functional limitations that hinder anydisabled child from participating in daily activities like other children.Children who file for disability go through a disability process. They or theirparents must file an application for disability based on a severe medicalcondition.
Their academic records are reviewed as well as thirdparty functional questionnaires to ascertain the level of functioning and theseverity of the childs limitations.
Do you need a Louisiana SSD lawyer to help with your initial claims or to file an appeal of denied claims? Dudley DeBosier practices Social Security Disability law throughout Louisiana from our main office in Baton Rouge and our additional offices in New Orleans and Shreveport.
Call us at or complete our;free initial consultation form, and find out what our Louisiana Social Security Disability lawyers can do to get you the benefits youre owed.
You May Like: Can You Get Disability For Alcoholism
Applying For Disability: Ssi And Ssdi
Did you know that you can submit an initial application for disability benefits on the internet, over the phone, or in person at a local Social Security Administration office?
Assuming you filed everything correctly and the SSA can easily gather your medical records, you should receive a decision within five months. If you make a mistake on the application, or your application gets lost in the masses, you may need to wait a year or more to hear back from the SSA regarding the decision of your application.
If the SSA approves your claim, your benefits should begin within a few months. If you waited for more than five months to get approved, you will be awarded back pay on top of your monthly benefits.
Back pay is a lump sum of the total amount of monthly benefits you should have received had your application been processed in a timely fashion. Additionally, if you waited to apply for disability benefits but were too ill to work, you could be entitled to additional past-due benefits known as retroactive payments. Depending on how long you wait to be approved, you could be entitled to a five-figure back pay settlement.
But what do you do if your claim is denied? Fortunately, you dont have to give up. The SSA has a thorough appeals process available for the qualified applicants whove slipped through the cracks.
Long Term Disability Insurance Denials
Our attorneys routinely help people with crippling physical and mental conditions who have been denied long-term disability insurance benefits.
We have considerable knowledge of both individual long-term disability and group insurance claims. Our firm is well versed in Louisiana disability insurance statutes and Federal ERISA law.
We are keenly aware of the strategies used by insurance companies to delay and deny payment on claims, no matter how valid the claim may be. If we take your case, you can be certain that our attorneys will employ all of our resources and experience in order to recover full benefits for you.
Recommended Reading: Chronic Sciatica Disability
Who Will Supplemental Security Income Help
Currently, the only recipients in the Special Income Level group whose eligibility is not impacted are those receiving Supplemental Security Income . Non-SSI recipients would fall into the Special Income Level group even if the income is less than $750 and could be impacted by the budget cuts.; Waiver recipients will lose waiver benefits unless they are eligible and receive SSI.
We recommend you apply for SSI if you have not already done so in order to protect your current Medicaid eligibility.; It can sometimes take around six months for an SSI eligibility determination to be made by the federal government.
Are You Eligible To Apply For Benefits
Anyone is able to apply. Your local Social Security office staff will review the non-medical portion of your application to determine the benefits for which you are eligible. They will look at your work history, your age, your income and your resources.
In Oklahoma, your application is then sent to the Disability Determination Services . The DDS, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, is responsible for making timely, and accurate disability determinations in accordance with Social Security Rules and Regulations.
DDS personnel, consisting of a physician or psychologist and a disability examiner, will consider all the facts in your case using medical information from your doctors, hospitals, clinics, and other places where you have been treated to determine if you are found to be medically disabled.
Once a determination on your claim is reached, you will get a written notice from the Social Security Administration explaining the determination. If your claim is approved, the notice will show the amount of your benefit and when payments will start.
Read Also: How Much Do You Get For Disability In New York State?
I Was Turned Down For Ssdi Benefits Is There Anything I Can Do
You have to the right to ask SSA to reconsider its decision. Many applications are approved on appeal. If you ask SSA to reconsider, it will review its decision. You must fill out a Request for Reconsideration form. You can get the form at your local office, by calling their toll-free phone number, or by going on their;website. SSA must receive the form within 60 days plus five days for mailing of the date you received the notice of denial, or you must have a good reason if you request reconsideration late.
Applying For Social Security Disability Benefits In Louisiana What You Need To Know
There are generally three stages in the application process for Social Security Disability benefits: initial application, reconsideration, and the hearing. In this table, you can see how Louisiana compares to the national average when it comes to approval rates at each of those stages.
| Initial Application |
|---|
Recommended Reading: Multiple Sclerosis Impairment Listing 11.09