Social Security Disability Lawyer – Los Angeles & Glendale
We Help People Pursue the Disability Benefits They Need
RCM Disability represents individuals seeking Social Security Disability benefits throughout Los Angeles, Glendale and Southern California.
We help clients with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and appeals of denied disability claims. We also assist eligible California residents with issues involving the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).
If a physical or mental medical condition prevents you from working, understanding which program may apply-and how to prove your eligibility-can be difficult. An experienced Social Security Disability lawyer in Los Angeles can help guide you through the process from the initial application through reconsideration, a hearing and further appeals when necessary.
You May Qualify If You:
- Are unable to work or substantially limited in your ability to work
- Have a physical or mental medical condition
- Expect your condition to prevent substantial work for at least 12 months
- Have been denied Social Security Disability benefits
- Need help determining whether SSDI, SSI or another assistance program may apply
You could qualify. Contact Us Now.
RCM Disability Free Evaluation
Call: 818-502-1951
The Application
Help From the Beginning
We help prepare and complete the forms Social Security requires and work with you to develop the medical, employment and other information needed to support your disability claim.
Dealing with Social Security
We Help Manage the Process
RCM Disability helps communicate with Social Security, track the status of your claim, respond to requests and guide you through each stage so you don’t have to navigate the process alone.
Peace of Mind
Decades of Disability Experience
RCM Disability has been helping people pursue disability benefits for more than 20 years. We understand how complicated and stressful the process can be and work to make each step easier to understand.
We’re Always Here
Real People. Real Answers.
When you have a question about your case, you should be able to speak with someone who understands it. Our team emphasizes accessibility, communication and personal attention throughout the disability process.
About RCM Disability Attorneys in Glendale
Applying for Social Security Disability can be frustrating, confusing and emotionally difficult-especially when a medical condition has already disrupted your health, ability to work and financial independence.
RCM Disability focuses on Social Security Disability matters in Los Angeles, Glendale and throughout Southern California. We represent clients at the initial application level, through reconsideration, before Administrative Law Judges and, when appropriate, through additional stages of appeal.
Our experience with disability claims dates back more than two decades. Principal attorney Roy C. Manukyan began representing disability claimants at a young age and successfully represented his first claimant before a federal Administrative Law Judge at age 19. He went on to argue hundreds of disability-related cases while attending law school.
That experience helps us understand an important reality: having a serious medical condition does not automatically result in Social Security approving a claim.
Social Security applies its own rules to determine whether someone is disabled. Medical evidence, work history, functional limitations and the ability to perform substantial work can all play important roles in the decision.
Our job is to help present your claim as clearly and completely as possible under those rules.
If you are applying for the first time, have already received a denial or are unhappy with your current representation, speak with a Social Security Disability lawyer in Glendale about where your case stands and what options may be available.
Get Your Free Consultation Today
Social Security Disability Services
RCM Disability helps clients understand and pursue several disability and assistance programs.
The two primary federal disability programs administered by the Social Security Administration are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Although both use Social Security’s disability standards, their financial eligibility requirements are different.
California also operates CAPI, a separate state-funded program for certain aged, blind or disabled non-citizens who are ineligible for SSI/SSP solely because of immigration status.
No Payment Unless the Case Is Won
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Monthly disability benefits based on your work history, Social Security credits, and qualifying medical condition.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Needs-based benefits for people who are aged, blind or disabled and have limited income and financial resources.
Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)
California assistance for certain aged, blind or disabled immigrants who cannot receive SSI due to immigration status.
How the Social Security Disability Process Works
A disability claim can proceed through several stages.
1. Initial Application
The process generally begins by submitting an application and supporting information to Social Security.
SSA reviews your medical condition, work history and other eligibility information before issuing an initial determination.
2. Reconsideration
If the initial claim is denied, you can generally ask Social Security to reconsider the decision.
Reconsideration involves a new review of the claim, including the existing evidence and additional evidence that may be submitted.
3. Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge
If the reconsideration decision is also unfavorable, the next level of appeal is generally a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.
This provides an opportunity to present the case before a judge, submit evidence and address the issues affecting the claim.
Additional appeal options may be available after an unfavorable hearing decision, depending on the circumstances.
RCM Disability can represent clients at each stage. If you’ve already started the process, you don’t necessarily have to start over-we can evaluate where your claim currently stands and determine the appropriate next step.
No Attorney Fees Unless Benefits Are Awarded
In most Social Security Disability matters handled under an approved fee agreement, attorney fees are paid from past-due benefits after a successful claim and are subject to Social Security Administration rules and approval.
What Does Social Security Consider a Disability?
Social Security uses a specific legal definition of disability.
For an adult seeking disability benefits, a physical or mental impairment generally must prevent the person from engaging in substantial gainful activity and must have lasted-or be expected to last-for a continuous period of at least 12 months or be expected to result in death. Social Security also considers whether your medical condition prevents you from performing work you have done previously and whether you can adjust to other work.
This is why a doctor’s statement that you “cannot work” does not automatically result in approval.
Medical records remain extremely important, but Social Security evaluates the evidence under its own disability rules.
An experienced Social Security Disability attorney can help identify the medical and functional evidence needed to explain how your conditions affect your ability to work.
Income and Resources for SSI
SSDI and SSI have different financial rules.
SSDI is an insurance program tied primarily to a worker’s earnings record and work credits.
SSI is needs-based. In addition to satisfying applicable disability requirements, applicants must have limited income and countable resources.
For 2026, Social Security’s countable-resource limit remains $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple.
Not everything you own necessarily counts toward that limit. Social Security generally excludes certain property, including the home you live in and, in many circumstances, one vehicle.
RCM Disability can help screen your circumstances and determine whether SSI may be an appropriate program to pursue.
Southern California Social Security Disability FAQs
How Much Money Will I Get From Social Security Disability?
It depends on which program you qualify for.
SSDI benefits are based largely on your individual earnings record, so different people receive different monthly benefit amounts. Your my Social Security account can provide an estimate of the disability benefit associated with your earnings record.
- Go to www.ssa.gov
- Click “my Social Security”
- Follow the steps to create your account (a valid email address is required)
- Access your Earnings Statement
- In your Earnings Statement, there is a line item that states: “You have earned enough credits to qualify for benefits. If you become disabled right now your payment would be about $_____.” This is your SSDI disability amount.
SSI benefits are needs-based. For 2026, the maximum federal SSI payment is $994 per month for an eligible individual and $1,491 for an eligible couple, before considering income, living arrangements and applicable state supplements. California provides an additional State Supplementary Payment, so actual California SSI amounts depend on the recipient’s circumstances.
You may sometimes qualify for both SSDI and SSI.
READ: How Much Social Security Disability Will I Get? →
How Long Does It Take to Get a Social Security Disability Decision?
Processing times vary.
Social Security currently advises that an initial disability decision generally takes approximately six to eight months, although individual claims may take more or less time.
If the initial application is denied, additional time is required for reconsideration. If reconsideration is unsuccessful and a hearing is requested, the wait depends on hearing-office workloads and other factors.
The process can therefore take considerably longer when multiple appeal levels are necessary.
Rather than relying on a fixed timetable, RCM Disability helps clients understand what stage their claim has reached, what should happen next and whether additional information is needed.
What Happens If My Disability Application Is Denied?
A denial does not necessarily end your claim.
Social Security provides several levels of appeal. In most cases, the first step after an initial medical denial is reconsideration. If reconsideration is denied, you may request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.
Appeal deadlines are important. Social Security generally requires an appeal within 60 days after you receive the decision notice.
If you’ve received a denial, contact a disability benefits lawyer promptly so there is time to review the decision and preserve your appeal rights.
Is Financial Assistance Available While I Wait?
Depending on your income, household and circumstances, you may qualify for other government assistance programs while a disability claim is pending.
California programs may include General Assistance or General Relief through the county and CalFresh food benefits. Eligibility requirements differ by program.
Your local county social services agency can determine whether you qualify for these or other assistance programs.
My Doctor Says I Can’t Work. Does That Mean Social Security Will Approve Me?
Not automatically.
Your doctor’s medical evidence and opinions can be important, but Social Security applies its own legal definition of disability.
SSA considers medical evidence, functional limitations, your previous work and whether your medical conditions allow you to adjust to other substantial work.
A strong disability claim therefore needs to document not simply the diagnosis, but how the condition limits your ability to function and work.
How Do I Prove That I Am Disabled?
Medical evidence is a central part of a Social Security Disability claim.
That can include treatment records, diagnostic testing, medications, clinical findings, treatment history and evidence describing your physical or mental functional limitations.
Consistency can also matter. Social Security needs enough evidence to evaluate the severity and duration of your medical conditions and how those conditions affect your ability to perform work-related activities.
RCM Disability helps clients identify and develop the evidence needed to present their limitations under Social Security’s disability standards.
Am I Eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?
SSDI generally requires two things:
- You must satisfy Social Security’s definition of disability.
- You must have enough Social Security work credits based on your employment history and, usually, sufficient recent work.
The number of credits required can vary depending on the age at which you become disabled.
You can review your earnings record and estimated disability benefit by creating or accessing your my Social Security account.
- Go to www.ssa.gov
- Click “my Social Security”
- Follow the steps to create your account (a valid email address is required)
- Access your Earnings Statement
- In your Earnings Statement, there is a line item that states: “You have earned enough credits to qualify for benefits. If you become disabled right now your payment would be about $_____.” This is your SSDI disability amount.
If you’re uncertain whether your work history qualifies, an SSDI attorney in Los Angeles can help evaluate the issue.
Am I Eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
SSI may be available to people who are aged, blind or disabled and who meet Social Security’s income and resource requirements.
You do not need the same work-credit history required for SSDI.
For 2026, countable resources generally cannot exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple, although Social Security excludes certain assets when determining eligibility.
Citizenship and qualifying non-citizen requirements also apply.
California residents who cannot receive SSI solely because of immigration status may want to explore whether CAPI applies to their circumstances.
What Is the Difference Between SSDI and SSI?
Both programs can provide benefits to qualifying people with disabilities, but their financial eligibility rules are different.
SSDI
- Based on insured status and Social Security work credits
- Monthly benefit generally based on the worker’s earnings record
- Does not use the same needs-based resource limits as SSI
- Can lead to Medicare eligibility after the applicable qualifying period
SSI
- Needs-based program
- Prior work history is not required in the same way
- Income and resource restrictions apply
- California SSI recipients generally receive Medi-Cal if otherwise eligible under the state’s SSI/SSP framework
Will I Receive Health Insurance If My Disability Claim Is Approved?
The answer depends on the program.
People who receive SSDI generally become eligible for Medicare after the applicable 24-month qualifying period, subject to exceptions.
SSI recipients in California generally receive health coverage through Medi-Cal under the state’s SSI/SSP framework.
The timing and eligibility rules can depend on individual circumstances.
What Is CAPI and Who May Qualify?
The Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants is a California program for certain aged, blind or disabled non-citizens who cannot receive SSI/SSP solely because of immigration status.
Applicants must also satisfy California residency, immigration-status, income and resource requirements.
Because immigration and public-benefit rules can be complicated, eligibility should be evaluated individually.
How Much Does a Social Security Disability Lawyer Cost?
Social Security regulates the fees representatives may charge for helping claimants pursue benefits.
Under the common fee-agreement process, an attorney’s fee generally comes from the claimant’s past-due benefits after a favorable decision and must be approved by Social Security.
RCM Disability offers a free initial evaluation, and there is no attorney fee unless benefits are awarded under the firm’s applicable representation agreement.
Contact us if you’d like us to explain how the fee arrangement would apply to your case.
You Could Qualify. Find Out Where You Stand.
Applying for disability benefits does not have to be something you navigate by yourself.
Whether you’re preparing an initial application, have already received a denial, need to request reconsideration or are waiting for a hearing, RCM Disability can review where you are in the process and help determine the next step.
Speak with a Social Security Disability lawyer serving Los Angeles, Glendale and Southern California today.
You could qualify. Contact Us Now.
RCM Disability Free Evaluation
Call: 818-502-1951
