The process involved in qualifying for social security disability in Tacoma is designed to first determine if you are eligible to receive social security disability benefits then to see if you have sustained an injury that has rendered you unable to perform the essential functions of a job for at least one full year. In determining your eligibility to receive social security disability in Tacoma, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews both medical and non-medical documentation. So it is important that you begin receiving medical treatment for your disability as soon as you are injured.
The SSA will review your disability application to make non-medical determinations, but your medical/mental health records play a significant role in the medical portion of your qualification process. Once the non-medical review is complete, the SSA will forward your case file to the Washington Disability Determination Services (WDDS) where a team of disability specialists will review your medical records to determine if your disability qualifies for social security disability in Tacoma. If there is sufficient evidence found in your medical file to support your claim, the WDDS will inform the SSA of your eligibility. If there is not enough evidence to support your claim, the claim may be denied.
In the state of Washington, a little over one-third of all initial social security disability claims are awarded. If your initial claim is denied, you can appeal the decision and your case will go back to the WDDS to be reviewed by a separate administrative panel. Statewide, 87% of appeals are denied, so be ready to appeal a second time and ask to have your case heard by an administrative law judge (ALJ). At the hearing level, more than 50% of Tacoma social security disability cases heard are actually awarded.
Tacoma Health Resources
Your medical records are an important part of your overall Tacoma social security disability case. If your disability is of a physical nature, it is important that you seek regular medical treatment for your disability and that said treatment is documented in your medical records.
If you are uninsured or under-insured and cannot afford medical treatment, there are several free and reduced cost health care facilities in Tacoma which may be of service to you.
Neighborhood Health Clinic
1323 S. Yakima Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 627-6353
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
3629 South D Street
Tacoma, WA 98418
(253) 798-6500
RotaCare Free Clinics
Pacific Lutheran University- Facilities Management
124th St South
Tacoma, WA 98447
(253) 370-3988
Tacoma Area Mental Health Resources
If you are suffering from a mental illness that prohibits you from being able to get and keep a job, you may qualify for social security disability in Tacoma but you will need access to mental health facilities that can help you in your journey. For assistance with mental health issues which have affected your ability to work, several Tacoma mental health facilities can service you.
Cascade Mental Health
3711 Pacific Ave # 301
Tacoma, WA 98418
(253) 475-7333
HopeSparks – Family Services
6424 North 9th Street
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 565-4484
TACID
6315 South 19th Street
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 565-9000
Tacoma Supplemental Social Security Benefits
The Federal social security disability benefit for an independent individual is $943 and $1,415 for a couple. The state of Washington may provide a supplemental payment to you if you qualify for SSI or SSDI benefits.
Tacoma Social Security Disability Attorneys
Your Tacoma social security disability case can be done – from application to award – within six months. Most of the time, however, it takes far longer, sometimes more than a year to finally win a Tacoma social security disability case. Nationwide, far more social security disability claims are denied than are awarded.
Seeking the counsel of a Tacoma social security disability attorney can help you to streamline and expedite the application and decision process. Many attorneys will only charge you a fee if they win your case. If your attorney wins, a standard fee of 25% of your award is collected from retroactive benefits. The maximum amount an attorney can collect for representing you in your Tacoma social security disability case is $6,000.
