Gainesville, Florida, as the seat of Alachua County, is a medium-sized city, reporting a population of 125,354 in the 2010 U.S. Census. Education, healthcare and insurance are the primary industries which form the foundation of the city’s economy, though the City of Gainesville also ranks among the top employers in the region, making city and county government a crucial sector of the local job market as well.
The city of Gainesville is serviced by the Region 4 office of the Social Security Administration (SSA), which is physically based in Atlanta, GA. The Atlanta regional office distributes payments of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to more than 563,000 beneficiaries and sees almost 14,960 new cases each year from the State of Florida.
Individuals receiving SSDI benefits are disabled for a period of a year or more and unable to work as a result. In order to qualify for disability, you must meet the SSA’s guidelines both in terms of medical condition and work credits. Work credits are achieved through payroll deduction contributions to disability fund over the course of your employment. If you don’t have the work credits necessary to receive disability benefits, you may still be eligible for SSI payments.
Apply for Gainesville Social Security Disability Benefits
The application, review and appeals processes for Gainesville Social Security Disability benefits are long and complicated. Having help from a Gainesville disability lawyer when filing your claim for benefits can increase the chances you’ll be found eligible and can result in a quicker decision as well. Those who have legal assistance early in the process often receive benefits sooner and without going through additional reviews and appeals.
The SSA Region 4 office only approves 26.8 percent of the initial applications it reviews. All other applicants must go through a reconsideration review and only 8.9 percent are found eligible after the second review. If denied benefits at this stage, applicants must file an appeal, which will send their claim before an administrative law judge for a final determination on eligibility. Hearing offices in Florida approve only 48.3 percent of the cases they see.
The majority of Gainesville disability benefit claims which are denied don’t contain adequate medical documentation to satisfy SSA requirements. A knowledgeable Gainesville Social Security Disability attorney can review your application, help you get the medical care required, ensure all documentation is present in your disability file, and assist you through all stages of the application and review process for SSD. If needed, your Gainesville Social Security Disability lawyer can help you prepare for testifying and can argue your appeal in front of the administrative law judge as well.
Listed below is the contact information for the Social Security office which accepts Gainesville Social Security disability applications:
Gainesville Social Security Disability Office
1610 Northwest 23rd Ave,
Gainesville, FL 32605-3021
Gainesville Social Security Disability Resources
Eligibility for disability benefits is based on a number of factors, but the biggest part of the SSA disability determination process comes from the medical documentation contained within your application. A lack of appropriate medical care and treatment can result in denial. Affording healthcare with limited income can be very challenging though. Here are some of the Gainesville disability resources for free and low cost healthcare services, including several clinics in nearby communities.
UF College of Medicine Equal Access Clinic - Gainesville Community Ministry
238 SW 4th Ave,
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352)327-8005
UF College of Medicine Equal Access Clinic -Family Practice Medical Group
625 SW 4th Ave,
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352)265-9475
Hawthorne Family Medical Center
22018 SE 71st Ave,
Hawthorne, FL 32640-3969
(352)481-2700
Hawthorne Medical Center
22066 SE 71st Ave,
Hawthorne, FL 32640-3969
(352)481-2700
Palms Medical Group
630 N Main St,
Williston, FL 32696-1705
(352)528-0587
Your Gainesville Disability Claim
Having a strong, well organized and thoroughly documented disability application increases your chances of being found eligible for benefits. This includes having appropriate medical documentation present in your file. A Gainesville Social Security disability attorney will ensure your case file is as thorough and organized as possible and will do so without charging any upfront fees for his or her services. In fact, a Gainesville disability attorney isn’t paid unless you receive SSD benefits.
