Disability in California
Despite what some people might think, different injuries and illnesses can be eligible for Disability in California, and they vary from physical to even mental illnesses. The types of Disabilities as per the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act of 2016 include:
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Blindness
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Low Vision
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Leprosy Cured Persons
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Hearing Impairments
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Locomotor Disability
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Dwarfism
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Intellectual Disability
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Mental Illness
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Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Cerebral Palsy
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Muscular Dystrophy
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Chronic Neurological Conditions
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Specific Learning Disabilities
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Multiple Sclerosis
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Speech and Language Disability
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Thalassemia
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Hemophilia
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Sickle Cell Disease
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Multiple Disabilities including Deaf-blindness
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Acid Attack Victims
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Parkinson’s Disease
As you can tell from this list, you don’t have to have an illness you were born with in order to qualify for disability benefits. If you suffered a catastrophic injury at work or in an accident that left you disabled, you can apply for Disability in California. Basically, to qualify, you must meet certain requirements. You have to have a documented diagnosis of your impairment and generally would need to show that you have to seek regular treatment for it from a doctor. The law also technically defines disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months. In other words, you have to be out of work or expected to be out of work for 12 months or more to be eligible.
An Attorney can help you keep up with the appropriate documentation and help you meet Social Security’s deadlines so as not to miss your chance of getting benefits, so the general rule of thumb is not to hesitate. If you are out of work for a disability, you should contact an attorney and have them apply for benefits on your behalf as soon as possible. If you require assistance while you await Social Security’s decision on Disability Insurance Benefits, it’s recommended that your lawyer helps you apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits as well.
An experienced law firm can help you if you need to apply for Disability in California and decipher where your case fits. You don’t have to do this process alone. Contacting a trustworthy Disability in California Law Attorney like Gold Country Worker’s Comp Center will be the support you need while applying for benefits. To schedule a free consultation, call (530) 362-7188.