Atticus offers free, high-quality disability advice for Americans who can't work. Our team of Stanford and Harvard trained lawyers has a combined 15+ years of legal experience, and have helped over 10,000 Americans apply for disability benefits.
Why trust us?If you are a California resident with an injury or illness that prevents you from working, you may be eligible for disability benefits. The Social Security Administration states that more than 600,000 Californians receive federal benefits. On the state level, California pays about $7 billion in short-term benefits annually.
Read on to learn about the different state and federal programs that offer disability benefits, the eligibility requirements, and the application processes.
In California, there are different programs offering benefits for individuals with temporary and permanent disabilities:
You may qualify for workers' compensation benefits if you have a work-related injury or illness.
Match with a trusted disability lawyer in California Get help nowTo apply for State Disability Insurance benefits in California, follow these steps:
You can complete and submit DE 2501 for Disability Insurance online or by mail. If you do not have a California license, a valid Social Security number, or recently changed your name, you should apply for benefits through the mail at the below address.
State of California Employment Development Department P.O. Box 989777 West Sacramento, CA 95798-9777
You should submit a claim for Disability Insurance benefits if you are too sick or injured to continue doing your work. It is essential to know that California disability benefits are limited. You can receive state benefits for a maximum of 52 weeks, and the partial wage replacement is estimated to be 60-70% of the wages you earned 5 to 18 months before your disability began.
If you suspect your condition will last longer than one year, you should also apply for Social Security disability benefits. There are two federal disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Getting approved for these programs can take up to two years, but you can receive indefinitely higher monthly payments and healthcare coverage.
Social Security offers two disability programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both provide monthly payments and healthcare coverage to individuals unable to work because of a non-work-related injury or illness. There are three ways to apply for these disability programs:
The eligibility requirements for SSDI and SSI differ, but you can apply for both programs with the same application. SSI is a need-based program, and SSDI eligibility depends on your work history. Learn more about the differences between SSDI and SSI here.
Alhambra
900 South Garfield Ave Alhambra, CA 91801
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (866) 227-6561
Fax Number: (833) 902-2602
Anaheim
900 South Harbor Blvd Anaheim, CA 92805
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (866) 657-3133
Fax Number: (833) 950-2748
Antioch
2508 Verne Roberts Circle Antioch, CA 94509
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (866) 331-2324
Fax Number: (833) 950-3669
Auburn
11855 Edgewood Rd Auburn, CA 95603
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (866) 931-6087
Fax Number: (833) 571-0640
Bakersfield
2575 Haley St Bakersfield, CA 93305
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (866) 366-9558
Fax Number: (833) 950-3383
Bakersfield
5300 Office Park Drive Bakersfield, CA 93309
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (866) 476-1489
Fax Number: (833) 940-2147
Berkeley
2045 Allston Way Berkeley, CA 94704
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (877) 531-4696
Fax Number: (833) 950-2448
Brea
3230 East Imperial Hwy Suite 150 1st Floor Brea, CA 92821
Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM
Phone Number: (866) 593-2757
Fax Number: (833) 902-2594
Here are a few Atticus firms in California:
Potter, Cohen, Samulon & Padilla
3852 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, California 91107
Disability Advocates Group
17525 Ventura Blvd., Encino, California 91316
Hadley and Fraulob
2207 J St., Sacramento, California 95816
To qualify for disability you need to have a condition that prevents you from working for at least a year. You’ll also need to meet certain work history requirements (for SSDI) or be within certain income limits (for SSI). For more on these requirements, read our full write up here.
Any condition that will prevent you from working for a year or more can qualify for disability benefits. Some of the most common conditions include musculoskeletal disorders, mental disorders, nervous system diseases, and circulatory system diseases. See our full list of conditions that qualify here.
It takes an average of 6.1 months to get an initial disability decision in California. Most people who apply are initially rejected, and need to appeal this decision. If you appeal and go to a hearing, the process takes around two years on average. Read more: How Long It Takes to Get Approved for Disability Benefits
The average SSDI payment in California is $1,395.93 per month. The average SSI payment is $765.06 per month. What you’ll earn is dependent on your income, or the amount you’ve historically paid into the Social Security program. Read more on what amount you can expect.
Answer the application questions truthfully, consistently, and succinctly. You should also ensure that you gather and submit all your medical records with your application. The SSA paperwork can be complicated, so our legal team has written a full guide to the application here.
Yes, California is one of the five states with its own state disability program. Residents can apply for California Disability Insurance, which offers payments for up to 52 weeks (one year). Work injuries aren’t covered, though. If your injury will keep you out of work longer, you can still apply for SSDI and SSI. Read more about the difference between SSDI and SSI here.
