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Are you suffering from a disability?

Getting help is easy! Dr. Bill LaTour is here to help you with your Social Security Disability claim.

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California Social Security Disability Lawyer

Man is filling in Disability insurance form.

Are you suffering from an injury or medical condition that prevents you from living a healthy, productive life? You’re not alone. Millions of people are incapable of making a living due to a disabling physical or mental impairment. If you’re in this situation, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits may be the right option for you.

However, the rules and regulations surrounding the Social Security system are complex, and people often underestimate the overwhelming amount of paperwork involved. That’s where a knowledgeable California Social Security Disability lawyer comes in. At The Law Offices of Dr. Bill LaTour, we can help you navigate the tricky road to obtaining disability benefits. Our attorneys exclusively handle disability claims in Los Angeles and surrounding Southern California communities. We can take this enormous burden off your shoulders. All you have to do is call us!

Getting Help Is Easy

Life with a disability presents many challenges but getting the legal help you need shouldn’t be one of them. That’s why we strive to make getting help from our attorneys as easy as possible. You don’t even have to leave your house. We’ll come to you!

You Deserve Disability Benefits

If you’re living with a disability or debilitating injury that prevents you from working, you may be entitled to SSDI benefits. Let us fight for the financial support you deserve.

We Work for You

Our attorneys operate on a contingency-fee basis, so you won’t owe us anything upfront and if we don’t obtain benefits for you, you won’t owe us a dime!

We Know What You’re Going Through

Life with a disabling condition can make everyday activities incredibly difficult. When you’re unable to continue making a living due to a disability, the stress of how you’re going to pay your bills and account for everyday essentials can be unbearable. Even worse, the process of obtaining SSDI benefits can be long, frustrating, and extremely complicated.

Dr. Bill LaTour has been both an attorney and a licensed psychologist since 1989. This gives him the unique ability to understand the mental and physical impairments that can result in disability, as well as the emotional stress that can be associated with pursuing SSDI benefits. Dr. LaTour and his experienced team know what you’re going through and have helped countless disabled individuals in the Greater Los Angeles area, the Inland Empire, and Orange County receive SSDI benefits.

Applying or Appealing for Disability Benefits? Getting Help Is Easy!

If you’re struggling with the application or appeals process for SSDI benefits, getting help is just a call or click away. And if your disability makes it difficult to leave home, we’ll come to you!

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What Is SSDI?

Before you get started, it’s important to have a basic understanding of SSDI and its purpose.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages two disability programs that provide monthly benefits for disabled individuals who are no longer able to work: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

While the two sound similar and share some eligibility requirements, they are separate programs with distinct differences. SSDI is specifically intended for individuals who have worked for a certain number of years but suffered a physical or mental disability that prevents them from continuing any kind of job.

Are You Eligible for SSDI?

To be eligible for SSDI, you must have first worked jobs that paid into Social Security. In other words, you must have contributed a certain amount of money in taxes to the SSA through jobs that are covered by Social Security.

These contributions are measured in “work credits.” You can receive up to four work credits per year. The amount needed to gain a work credit changes from year to year but once you have earned the specified amount for that year in wages or self-employment income, you earn one work credit.

Depending on your age, you need a certain number of credits to be eligible for SSDI. What’s more, the SSA requires that some of those credits be earned in the 10-year period before you became disabled. Typically, you need 40 credits, of which 20 were earned over the last 10 years prior to the year you became disabled. However, younger disabled workers may still qualify with fewer credits.

See What Our Clients Are Saying About Us!

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My husband and I went to 3 different attorneys/advocates for his disability claim, but the only one that actually got the job done was Dr. LaTour. By the time my husband got his disability he was more sick than ever… View Testimonial

5 Star Ratings Sharon F.

What a wonderful service. They came to me and helped me with everything I needed to do to file. I would recommend them to everyone I know. View Testimonial

5 Star Ratings Charlene Gunter

Read my review it speaks for me. The best! He is good, intellegent, caring,respected,fights for you, just make that call or try another but you will not get the same decision as you will with my atty latour # 1… View Testimonial

5 Star Ratings Sheila DeLoach

Being trained in both Psychiatry and Law, Bill Latour really knows his field well. He doesn’t mess around. In my experience with him, he was only to be paid for winning a client’s case, so he’d take cases that he… View Testimonial

5 Star Ratings Raj C.

I had a very nice team that was very helpful. Thank you very much. View Testimonial

5 Star Ratings Ysaias Grijalba

Attention those who are in no condition to afford or advocate for themselves or don’t have a way to get around bill la tours office space they are so dedicated caring attentive with the people they help they will come… View Testimonial

5 Star Ratings Dolores Lucero

I won my case on 11/2016 which took 4 years.The ones that handled my case did a professional job. When ever I called about my case, I was always called back with answers. Thank you again the office of Bill… View Testimonial

5 Star Ratings Steve Tivis

I was so tired of the constant denials and double talk I had from Social Security Disability. Thank God I went to The office of Bill LaTour. They promptly filed the necessary paperwork, kept in touch, and I am now… View Testimonial

5 Star Ratings Patricia G.

Very helpful. View Testimonial

5 Star Ratings Mariah Barajas

Very helpful for my first-time. Come to your home right away. They’re always on time. I would recommend them for getting your disability. View Testimonial

5 Star Ratings Lester Jones
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Do You Meet the SSA’s Definition of Disability?

In addition to the work requirements, you must also meet the SSA’s strict definition of “disability” in order to qualify for SSDI. The SSA will only consider you to be disabled and possibly entitled to benefits if:

  • You cannot do the work that you did before.
  • It is determined that you cannot adjust to other types of work for which you are qualified because of your medical condition.
  • Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or result in death.

Many people assume that qualifying for SSDI is solely based on their particular condition; however, eligibility is largely work-based. In other words, a large portion of the SSA’s decision to approve or deny your application is based on your ability to work.

If you’re suffering from severe back pain, for instance, but are still capable of performing your job and earning a living, the SSA will likely not consider you to be disabled.

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Appealing a Denied Claim: What Should You Expect?

If your initial claim for disability benefits was denied, we know how frustrating this can be. However, it’s important to know that just because your claim was denied, it doesn’t mean you aren’t entitled to benefits.

Oftentimes, individuals who appeal their claims are approved after demonstrating in more detail how their disability affects their everyday life and ability to hold a job. For example, if your claim was denied for a lack of medical evidence, you may just need to submit the correct documentation from your doctor during your appeal to start receiving benefits.

However, it’s not always as simple as that, so it’s best to have an experienced attorney handling your appeal. By appealing a denied claim, you’re basically asking the SSA to reconsider their decision. If you’re planning on appealing a denied claim, here’s what you can expect:

Request for Reconsideration: After receiving a denial, an attorney can file a request for reconsideration with the SSA. A new claims examiner will review your application, taking into consideration any new documents or evidence you or your attorney submit.

Hearing: In the event that your request for reconsideration is denied, you may be able to request a hearing in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ). During this stage of the appeals process, it is especially beneficial to have an experienced attorney present. They can prepare you for the hearing, question expert witnesses to support your claim, and argue a strong case on your behalf.

FAQs

It can take anywhere from a month to two years to get a response on your disability application. While we can’t guarantee a timeline to receive benefits, we can assure you our office will be doing everything we can to ensure your claim is in good shape and moving as quickly as possible through the lengthy process.

Disability Determination Services (DDS) reviews SSDI claims in order to identify any fraud attempts. If your application is missing paperwork, improperly filled out, or lacking the appropriate medical evidence, it will almost certainly be denied. However, keep in mind that denials are common, and you may still have options. Contact an experienced disability lawyer to review your claim after a denial.

If you applied for SSDI and your claim was denied, your next step is to appeal the SSA’s decision. Many disability applicants who were initially denied are able to obtain benefits through the appeals process. There are multiple levels of appeals you may need to go through and navigating this process is rarely straightforward. Having a knowledgeable disability attorney on your side will be to your benefit.

If you can engage in what is known as “substantial gainful activity” (SGA), you won’t be considered disabled. The SSA makes this determination by evaluating if your monthly earnings from work exceed their maximum income limit. If it does, you are considered to be engaging in SGA and will not be eligible to receive benefits.

Federal regulations use the ‘national average wage index’ to establish the earnings limit each year. You can use the SSA’s benefits planner to determine the amount of money you’re able to earn from work and still qualify for SSDI benefits.

No. When you file for unemployment benefits, you generally have to state that you are physically and mentally capable of working. This contradicts your claim for disability benefits, in which you’ll specifically state that you are unable to work for 12 months or more due to your condition.

If you have received unemployment benefits at any time during the period you allege that you were disabled, the SSA may deny you SSDI benefits.

No. If your doctor determines you are unable to work for 12 months or more, you should file for benefits immediately. By waiting longer than necessary to apply, you risk losing benefits to which you are legally entitled.

If you are eligible to receive SSDI benefits, you can only recover retroactive benefits for the twelve-month period preceding the date you submit your application for benefits. If you wait more than a year from the date you stop working to apply for benefits, you risk losing more benefits.

Whether you’re applying for SSDI for the first time or you would like to start the appeals process, an experienced lawyer will be a valuable resource. From preparing your claim for success to coordinating with the SSA on your behalf, an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the Social Security system will give you the best chance of receiving the benefits you deserve.

If your disability makes it difficult for you to leave the house, don’t lose hope. A compassionate member of our team can come to you!

Our office works on a contingency-fee basis, this means you never have to worry about paying an expensive upfront bill to work with our legal team. In fact, you won’t owe us anything unless our efforts are successful!

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