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Do I Qualify For Social Security Disability Benefits?

How Do 'They' Decide If I Medically Qualify for Disability?

From DDSD all the way to the Supreme Court, everybody uses the same “Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Process” to determine if you medically qualify for benefits. This is very simplistic but it will give you a general idea of how “they” go about the decision and what you need to prove. The burden of proof is on you to show that you are entitled to benefits, not on Social Security that you are not entitled to benefits.

  1. Are you “working”*?
    If YES, then claim denied.
    If NO, go to 2.
  2. Is your condition “severe”?
    If NO, then claim denied.
    If YES, go to 3.
  3. Is your condition on their “List of Impairments”?
    If YES, then claim APPROVED!
    If NO, go to 4.
  4. Can you do the work you have done before?
    If YES, then claim denied.
    If NO, go to 5.
  5. Can you do ANY other type of work?
    If YES, then claim denied.
    If NO, then claim APPROVED!

Again, the information above is just to give you a general idea of whether you medically qualify or not. People have written entire books on the details of what these five steps mean. Although words like "working" and "severe" might mean one thing to you and me, they have a very specific and technical definition under the law. Additionally, there are special rules for the blind. Social Security has a very good pamphlet called "Disability Benefits." I recommend it highly because it is authoritative and gives a good overview.

How Can I Help?

Attorney James B. Lewis

Disability Attorney James B. Lewis

"I would welcome the chance to talk to you about how I can help you in your Social Security Disability claim."

Please call (310) 443-4117 for a free consultation.

Law Office of James B. Lewis

Suite 600
10940 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90024

P: (310) 443-4117
F: (310) 443-4221
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* I'm conveniently located between the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and the VA West Los Angeles Medical Center.

Disability Attorney Serving Los Angeles and Southern California

From San Diego to San Luis Obispo and from Bakersfield to Brawley, the Law Office of James B. Lewis provides legal services to the greater Los Angeles area and beyond, including: Alhambra, Arcadia, Baldwin Park, Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Burbank, Carson, Cerritos, Compton, Diamond Bar, Downey, El Monte, Gardena, Glendale, Glendora, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Inglewood, La Mirada, La Puente, Lakewood, Lancaster, Long Beach, Lynwood, Montebello, Norwalk, Palmdale, Paramount, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Pomona, Rosemead, Santa Monica, South Gate, Torrance, West Covina, Anaheim, Cypress, Garden Grove, Orange, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, San Diego County, Imperial County, Riverside County, Cathedral City, Corona, Hemet, Indio, Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, San Bernardino County, Apple Valley, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, Victorville, Kern County, Bakersfield, Tehachapi, San Luis Obispo County, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara County, Buellton, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Maria, Ventura County, Camarillo, and Oxnard.