If you need to speak with someone, please call the Government Benefits intake line at (213) 640-3901.

Filing Appeals When Time is of the Essence

Appealing CalWORKs, food stamps, Medi-Cal, CAPI or IHSS reductions, denials, or terminations.

If you have had your CalWORKs, Food Stamps, Medi-Cal, IHSS, or related benefits cut off or reduced, or you have been denied benefits, request a hearing immediately. Do not wait to get an appointment with LAFLA.

• If you have had your CalWORKs, Food Stamps, Medi-Cal, IHSS, or related benefits cut off or reduced, or you have been denied benefits, request a hearing immediately. Do not wait to get an appointment with LAFLA.

• Read the notice informing you of the county’s action to see how long you have to appeal. The notice explains your rights. File your appeal before your time expires. Keep a copy of the request for hearing for your records.

• To appeal, you may do so either by telephone or in writing. In Los Angeles County, written requests can be sent to P.O. Box 18890, Los Angeles, CA 90018. Telephone requests can be made by calling the California Department of Social Service at the toll free number: 1-800-952-5253. This information can also be found on the back of your county notice of action.

• For the above benefits, you can continue to get benefits throughout the hearing process, if you request a hearing before the date that the county’s action is set to take place. This date can be found on the notice. Usually, you have ten days from the date on the notice to request a hearing to get continuing benefits.
• If you do not appeal in time to get aid throughout the appeal process, you may still appeal within ninety days of receiving the notice of action informing you of the county’s action. State law presumes that you received a notice five days after the date on the notice. However, you will not receive benefits while you go through the appeal process, if you request a hearing after the county’s action takes place.
• In making a decision about whether to request continuing benefits, remember that you will be charged with an overpayment if you lose at hearing.

To make an appointment, call the Government Benefits Intake line at (213) 640-3901. If you already have a hearing date, be sure to tell Legal Aid.

APPEALING SOCIAL SECURITY RETIREMENT, SSI, SSDI, SURVIVORS REDUCTIONS, DENIALS, OR TERMINATIONS

• Social Security appeals regarding the above benefits must be filed at your local Social Security office within 60 days of the day that you received the notice informing you of the Social Security action you. Federal law presumes that you received the notice five days of the date on the notice. However, in the case of a reduction or termination, you may continue receiving benefits until the resolution of the appeal, if you file within ten days of the date of the notice. Again, federal law presumes that you received the notice five days after the date on the notice.
• If you have missed the deadline for filing, there are good causes for filing a late appeal. Examples of good cause include being in the hospital or otherwise physically incapable of requesting an appeal in time. You must state your reason in writing and submit it with your request for appeal. You can go to your local Social Security office to get the form for showing good cause.
• To appeal a Social Security benefit reduction or termination based on factors other than your disability, you should file a request for reconsideration. The form can be found at your local Social Security office or online at http://www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-561-pdf. You must submit your appeal to your local Social Security office. You may either mail the form or submit it in person. If you submit the appeal in person, you should ask Social Security to stamp your appeal form with their dated office stamp and provide you with a copy of the stamped form. If you submit the appeal by mail, you should keep a copy of your request for reconsideration for your records.
• To appeal a benefit reduction or termination based on your disability, you should file a request for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. The form can be found at your local Social Security office or online at www.ssa.gov/online/ha-501.pdf. You must submit your appeal to your local Social Security office. You may either mail the form or submit it in person. If you submit the appeal in person, you should ask Social Security to stamp your appeal form with their dated office stamp and provide you with a copy of the stamped form. If you submit the appeal by mail, you should keep a copy of your appeal for your records.

APPEALING A GENERAL RELIEF DECISION

If the county decides to reduce or terminate your General Relief benefits, the county must provide you with a hearing before a county employee not involved in the original decision affecting your benefits. The county must send a notice of action, providing you with the date and time of your hearing at least nine days before the hearing date. At the hearing you will have the opportunity to explain why you are still eligible for benefits.

If you have a General Relief problem, please call (213) 640-3901. Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.