Social Security Disability Attorneys in Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles applicants denied Social Security Disability benefits face strict appeal deadlines. A California-licensed attorney who handles disability claims in Los Angeles will review your denial at no charge.

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How we match your Los Angeles social security disability case

When you submit a Los Angeles social security disability matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A social security disability matter needs someone who handles social security disability work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Federal jurisdiction

This is federal law, so an attorney does not need to be licensed in California to represent you — but they do need to know how your local office and courts handle these cases.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Start my free case review How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm, and is not a State Bar-certified lawyer referral service. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Social Security Disability cases in Los Angeles

More about legal help in Los Angeles →

Social Security disability claims in Los Angeles are handled by federal offices and hearing locations across the county, not Los Angeles County courts, and the region’s size means long waits and heavy caseloads. Workers from entertainment, logistics, healthcare, and service jobs who can no longer work face a process where most first applications are denied. Medical records from multiple providers must be organized, and appeal deadlines are short. DearLegal matches you with a California-licensed attorney who handles Social Security disability cases in Los Angeles, with a free review.

Disability claims for Los Angeles residents are decided by federal Social Security offices, not county courts.
The Los Angeles area has some of the heaviest disability caseloads, so hearing waits can be long.
Former warehouse, healthcare, and entertainment industry workers make up many local disability applicants.

California social security disability rules at a glance

Los Angeles cases run under California law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the California page.

Read the full California social security disability guide →

Federal Authority: SSDI
Social Security Act, Title II (SSDI) and Title XVI (SSI) — 42 U.S.C. § 401 et seq. and § 1381 et seq.
SSA Hearing Offices: OHOs
OHOs in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Stockton, San Jose, Fresno, San Bernardino, Long Beach, Los Angeles West, Los Angeles Downtown, and San Diego
California Disability Determination Service (DDS): DDS
California DDS (in the Department of Social Services) makes initial and reconsideration medical decisions on behalf of SSA
State SSI Supplement (SSP): SSP
California pays a State Supplementary Payment (SSP) on top of federal SSI, and approval triggers automatic Medi-Cal
Federal Attorney Fee Cap: 25%
25% of past-due benefits, capped at $9,200 (effective Nov 2024, adjusts with COLA) — 42 U.S.C. § 406
Typical attorney fee: 25%
25% of Back Pay (Max $9,200) — paid only from past-due benefits

Exhibit D

How much do Los Angeles social security disability attorneys cost?

Sample settlement statement

California · Social Security Disability

Recovery$100,000

Attorney fee · 25% of back pay− $25,000

Case costs (advanced by firm)repaid at the end

To you$75,000

Due today$0

Try a different recovery$100,000

$5,000$3,000,000

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Most California social security disability attorneys work on contingency: the fee is a share of what they recover, and nothing if they don’t.

Federal law caps SSDI/SSI attorney fees at 25% of past-due benefits, with a hard maximum of $9,200 (effective Nov 2024, adjusts with the cost-of-living). SSA must approve every fee agreement. You pay nothing out of pocket and nothing from your ongoing monthly benefit — the fee comes only from back pay, and only if you win. If there is no back pay, there is no fee.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Start my free case reviewTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit F

Los Angeles social security disability questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a California attorney will review it for free.

Start free review

You apply through the Social Security Administration online, by phone, or at one of the field offices in the Los Angeles area. Appeals go to hearing offices serving the region. An attorney manages the application, gathers medical evidence, and represents you at any hearing.

Almost always appeal. Reapplying restarts the process and can cost you back benefits, while an appeal preserves your filing date. The appeal window is short. An attorney files it on time, strengthens the medical record, and prepares you for a hearing.

Fees are regulated by federal rules and are typically a percentage of back benefits, capped, and paid only if you win. You owe nothing up front. A free review tells you whether your claim is likely to succeed and what the process will involve.

SSDI (Title II) is based on your work history and the FICA taxes you’ve paid — generally 40 work credits with 20 of them in the last 10 years. SSI (Title XVI) is needs-based; you don’t need work credits but you must have very limited income and resources (generally under $2,000 in countable assets for an individual). California SSI recipients also get the State Supplementary Payment (SSP), which is added automatically to the federal SSI benefit. Many Californians qualify for both ("concurrent" claims).

Initial decisions from California DDS typically take 6–8 months. Reconsideration adds several more. ALJ hearings at the various California OHOs currently run roughly 10–15 months from the hearing request, with material variation by office. Compassionate Allowance and TERI (terminal illness) flags speed things up.