Under the California Social Security Disability Act, "disability" means the "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physician or mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months or result in death."

You should file as soon as it is determined that you will not be able to work during the next 12 months or your condition is expected to lead to death. However California Social Security is not a short term disability. Therefore if you have an accident where you cannot work for several days or even a few months, you will not be entitled to California Social Security Disability benefits.

How much California Social Security Disability or CSSI benefits an individual will get depends on how much that individual worked in the past and earned during that time or in the case of CSSI it depends on the individual's claim circumstances. For disabled widow's, it depends on how much the spouse earned and for a disabled child, it depends on how much the parent earned.

Do not be surprised if you are denied at the initial stage (good reason why it is wise to have an attorney). Only about 40% of the claims are approved at that stage. The next stages, Reconsideration, about 20% of the individuals win at that stage. The last stage, the Hearing stage is where the individual actually has a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge. The hearing is informal with only the judge, his secretary and often times the judge will have a vocational expert present to testify as to what jobs the individual can perform.

California Social Security Disability Claims Lawyer will be handled your claims at any stage in the process including application and appeals. California Social Security Disability Claims Lawyer will not be collecting any fees unless you win your case and you collect benefits.

California Social Security Disability Claims Lawyer will provide you with a thorough evaluation of your Social Security Disability or SSI claim. California Social Security Disability Claims Lawyer will obtain the benefit amount you can expect to collect from Social Security. California Social Security Disability Claims Lawyer will act as your liaison with the Social Security Administration. California Social Security Disability Claims Lawyer will help you complete and process all paperwork and applications for your disability claim. California Social Security Disability Claims Lawyer will prepare you for any Social Security required hearings. California Social Security Disability Claims Lawyer will make sure you receive all the Social Security Disability and/or SSI Disability benefits you are entitled to.