Social Security Disability Attorney in Van Nuys, CA
Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs administered by the Social Security Administration, separate from California’s workers’ compensation system. They are available for any medical condition — work-related or not — that prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. SSDI eligibility depends on your work history and payroll tax contributions; SSI is needs-based and does not require a specific work history.
Key Points
- SSDI requires sufficient recent work credits; SSI is based on financial need rather than work history
- The Social Security Administration’s initial denial rate is high — most successful claims are won on appeal, not at the initial application stage
- The appeals process includes reconsideration, a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, and further review — each stage has its own deadline
- A worker can potentially receive both California workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability for the same injury, though the two can partially offset each other
Considerations
- Missing an appeal deadline generally means starting over with a new application rather than continuing the existing claim
- Detailed, consistent medical records — and your own treating doctors’ opinions on your functional limitations — are central to a successful claim
- Combined workers’ compensation and SSDI benefits are subject to a federal offset so that the combined total does not exceed a percentage of prior earnings
California Law Note
Under federal law, combined workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability benefits are generally capped so they don’t exceed 80% of a worker’s average current earnings before disability (42 U.S.C. § 424a) — coordinating both claims with this offset in mind can meaningfully affect net benefits.
Related Questions
How do I know if my injury is covered by workers’ compensation?
Most injuries and illnesses connected to your job duties are covered, whether from a single accident or from repeated activity over time (cumulative trauma). Coverage questions are fact-specific — the most reliable way to find out is a free case evaluation, where the facts of how and when the injury happened can be reviewed directly.
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