When a physical or mental condition keeps you from working, you may be worried about how you will cover housing, medical care, and other daily expenses. Social Security Disability Insurance may provide monthly benefits, but qualifying for SSDI is not always straightforward.
Applicants must complete detailed forms, gather medical evidence, and show how their condition limits their ability to maintain employment. A mistake, missing record, or unclear answer could delay the claim or contribute to a denial.
Ortega Disability Group focuses exclusively on Social Security Disability law. Our attorneys help people in Hayward with initial SSDI applications, denied claims, hearings, and appeals. We will explain the process, answer your questions, and support you through every stage of your case.
Call (800) 322-1173 to schedule a free consultation with a Social Security Disability Insurance attorney serving Hayward.
Why Choose Ortega Disability Group?
At Ortega Disability Group, we focus exclusively on helping people pursue Social Security Disability benefits.
We have helped thousands of people pursue Disability benefits, from their initial applications through Federal Court review. Clients receive support from a dedicated caseworker and have access to a licensed attorney who can answer legal questions and provide guidance.
Our team assists clients in English and Spanish. We can communicate by phone, email, video, or in person, depending on what works best for your health and circumstances.
Your initial consultation is free, and you will not owe a fee unless we secure benefits for you.
Who May Qualify for SSDI?
To qualify, you generally must have worked long enough and recently enough to earn the required Social Security work credits. The number of credits you need depends partly on your age when your disability began.
You must also meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability. In general, your condition must:
- Prevent or significantly limit your ability to perform substantial work
- Be supported by acceptable medical evidence
- Have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 months, or be expected to result in death
The SSA does not award SSDI solely because someone has received a diagnosis. Your application must also explain how your symptoms affect your ability to perform work activities consistently.
For example, your condition may limit your ability to stand, walk, lift, use your hands, remember instructions, concentrate, interact with others, or maintain regular attendance.
How an SSDI Lawyer in Hayward Can Help
A strong SSDI application connects your medical condition to the specific limitations that prevent you from working. Medical records are important, but they may not fully describe the effect your symptoms have on your daily life and employment.
Ortega Disability Group can help by:
- Reviewing your work history and potential SSDI eligibility
- Preparing and filing your initial application
- Gathering and organizing relevant medical records
- Completing work history and function reports
- Identifying missing or unclear evidence
- Communicating with the Social Security Administration
- Tracking notices and important filing deadlines
- Preparing you for a disability hearing
- Appealing an unfavorable decision
Our goal is to make the process easier to understand while presenting a clear and well-supported claim.
What If Your SSDI Claim Was Denied?
A denial can be discouraging, but it does not necessarily mean your case is over. Many applicants have the right to challenge the decision through the Social Security Disability appeals process.
The first step is generally reconsideration, during which a different examiner reviews the claim and any additional evidence. If the application is denied again, you may request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.
Further appeals may include review by the Appeals Council and, in some cases, filing a civil action in Federal Court.
Appeal deadlines are strict. You generally have 60 days to challenge an unfavorable decision. Contacting an attorney promptly gives your legal team more time to review the denial, collect updated evidence, and prepare the next step.
Is SSDI the Same as SSI?
Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income both provide benefits to qualifying people with disabilities, but they have different financial requirements.
SSDI is based primarily on your employment history and the Social Security taxes paid through your work. SSI is a needs-based program for people with limited income and financial resources.
Some applicants may qualify for SSDI, SSI, or benefits through both programs. Ortega Disability Group handles both types of claims and can help you understand which program may apply to your circumstances.
Serving Social Security Disability Clients in Hayward
Whether you are applying for the first time or appealing a denial, our team can help you understand what to expect and keep your claim moving forward.
Health problems and transportation challenges should not prevent you from receiving legal guidance. We can conduct consultations remotely, collect documents electronically, and communicate through the method that is most convenient for you.
Speak With a Hayward SSDI Lawyer
You do not have to navigate the Social Security Disability process alone. Ortega Disability Group can help you prepare an application, respond to a denial, and understand your options at every stage.
Call (800) 322-1173 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with an SSDI lawyer serving Hayward. You will not owe a fee unless we secure benefits for you.
