Southwestern Louisiana is a region defined by its people — hardworking communities built around the oil and gas fields of Calcasieu Parish, the offshore platforms in the Gulf, the fishing and shrimping industries of Terrebonne Parish, and the agricultural heartland of Acadiana. These are physically demanding livelihoods, and when injury or illness makes it impossible to continue working, the financial consequences can be devastating.
Louisiana's disability rate of 17.2% is significantly higher than the national average of 13.6% (U.S. Census Bureau), and many rural parishes in the southwestern part of the state experience even higher rates. Nearly 1 in 5 Louisiana residents live below the federal poverty line (Invest in Louisiana). For disabled residents in Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Houma, SSDI and SSI benefits may be the most important source of financial stability available.
The Law Offices of Timothy D. Welborn provides specialized remote SSDI representation for residents throughout southwestern Louisiana — from initial application through hearing, no office visits required.
Key Takeaways
- Southwestern Louisiana's physically demanding industries — oil and gas, offshore work, fishing, and agriculture — create high rates of disabling injuries and conditions
- Your hearing office assignment matters — Lafayette-area cases go through the Alexandria OHO, while Lake Charles and Houma cases go through the New Orleans OHO, each with different approval rates and wait times
- Louisiana ranked 33rd nationally for initial SSDI approval rates in 2024, meaning most first-time applicants are denied
- Remote representation is ideal for rural parishes where local disability attorneys may be scarce — telephone hearings eliminate geographic barriers entirely
- There are no upfront costs — we work on a contingency fee basis, and you pay nothing unless we win your case
Disability Challenges Across Southwestern Louisiana
The communities of southwestern Louisiana face disability challenges shaped by the region's economy, geography, and healthcare landscape. Research from the University of Montana's Rural Institute shows that the Houma-Terrebonne Parish area has disability rates in the higher range (15.7% to 18.5%), while Lafayette Parish falls lower. Rural parishes throughout the Acadiana region often experience even higher disability rates than urban counterparts (University of Montana Rural Institute).
Access to healthcare is a persistent challenge in rural parishes. Residents in smaller communities may need to travel significant distances for specialists, diagnostic testing, or mental health services. For individuals already living with disabling conditions, these barriers make it difficult to build the medical record they need — which is one reason why having an experienced attorney advocating on your behalf is so important.
How Hearing Offices Work for Southwestern Louisiana
Which hearing office handles your case affects your wait times and approval rates. In southwestern Louisiana, your assignment depends on your SSA field office:
- Lafayette, New Iberia, and Opelousas: cases go to the Alexandria Hearing Office
- Lake Charles, DeRidder, Houma, and Morgan City: cases go to the New Orleans Hearing Office at 1515 Poydras Street
- Initial applications are reviewed by the Baton Rouge DDS (Lafayette, Calcasieu, Iberia, Vermilion, Acadia, and nearby parishes) or the New Orleans DDS (Terrebonne, Lafourche, and surrounding parishes)
In 2024, Louisiana's hearing offices had approval rates overall comparable to the national average, though individual office performance varies (Citizens Disability). Wait times in Louisiana have historically been longer than average, making it critical to build the strongest possible application from the start: minimizing the need for lengthy appeals. Avoiding the common mistakes that lead to SSDI denials gives your claim the best chance of early approval.
Industries and Conditions Common in Southwestern Louisiana
The region's dominant industries create distinctive patterns of disability that require specific knowledge to document effectively for the SSA.
Oil, gas, and petrochemical workers throughout Calcasieu Parish, the Lake Charles industrial corridor, and Lafayette-area oil fields frequently develop disabling conditions including chronic back injuries, joint deterioration from confined-space work, respiratory conditions from chemical exposure, hearing loss from noise exposure, and burns from industrial accidents.
Offshore and maritime workers face similar physical hazards compounded by the demands of working on platforms and vessels. Workers injured on navigable waters may have claims under the Jones Act or Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act in addition to SSDI. When offshore injuries result in long-term disability preventing all employment, SSDI benefits may be available regardless of any maritime claim.
Fishing, shrimping, and seafood industry workers, prevalent around Houma, Terrebonne Parish, and Gulf coast communities, face repetitive stress injuries, exposure to harsh conditions, and cumulative physical trauma from decades of demanding work.
The conditions most commonly seen in disability claims from this region include:
- Degenerative disc disease and chronic back pain
- Shoulder, knee, and hip injuries requiring surgical intervention
- COPD and respiratory conditions (particularly in petrochemical workers)
- Chronic pain syndromes and fibromyalgia
- Depression, anxiety, and PTSD
- Cardiovascular disease and diabetes
- Traumatic brain injuries from industrial and vehicle accidents
How Remote Representation Serves Rural Communities
For residents of rural southwestern Louisiana parishes, finding a local disability attorney can be a challenge in itself. Many smaller communities simply don't have attorneys who specialize in Social Security Disability law.
Remote representation solves this problem entirely. With nearly all hearings conducted by telephone and evidence submitted electronically, your attorney's location has no impact on quality. Our process includes:
- Phone or video consultation to evaluate your case and develop strategy
- Remote evidence gathering: we request medical records, coordinate with your doctors, and build your evidence package
- Electronic filing with the appropriate DDS and hearing office
- Hearing preparation and telephone representation: we prepare you thoroughly and advocate before the ALJ
For individuals in communities like DeRidder, Jennings, Abbeville, or Morgan City who might otherwise go without representation, this model ensures access to experienced disability counsel.
Why Choose The Law Offices of Timothy D. Welborn
We bring focused Social Security Disability expertise to every case. We work on a contingency fee basis: no upfront costs, and the attorney fee is set and approved by the SSA. From your initial consultation through the final resolution of your claim, we provide clear communication, aggressive advocacy, and personalized attention.
Communities We Serve Across Southwestern Louisiana
Our remote model allows us to serve clients throughout Acadiana, the southwestern industrial corridor, and the Gulf coast, including:
- Lafayette Parish: Lafayette, Scott, Broussard, Youngsville, and Carencro
- Calcasieu Parish: Lake Charles, Sulphur, Westlake, and Moss Bluff
- Terrebonne Parish: Houma, Gray, Schriever, and Montegut
- Lafourche Parish: Thibodaux, Raceland, and Golden Meadow
- Iberia Parish: New Iberia and Jeanerette
- Vermilion Parish: Abbeville and Kaplan
- Acadia Parish: Crowley, Rayne, and Church Point
- St. Landry Parish: Opelousas and Eunice
- St. Martin Parish: Breaux Bridge and St. Martinville
- St. Mary Parish: Morgan City, Franklin, and Patterson
- Beauregard Parish: DeRidder
- Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Allen Parishes: Cameron, Jennings, Oberlin, and surrounding communities
Which hearing office will handle my disability case in southwestern Louisiana?
It depends on your SSA field office. Lafayette, New Iberia, and Opelousas cases are typically assigned to the Alexandria Hearing Office. Lake Charles, DeRidder, Houma, and Morgan City cases go to the New Orleans Hearing Office. Each has different ALJs, approval rates, and wait times. Your attorney can help you understand what to expect and prepare accordingly.
Can I get disability benefits if I was injured working offshore?
Potentially, yes. If your offshore injury results in a long-term disability preventing all substantial gainful activity, you may qualify for SSDI. SSDI is separate from maritime injury claims under the Jones Act or Longshore Act: these are different legal frameworks, and you may be eligible under more than one. An experienced attorney can help you understand how these programs interact.
How does remote disability representation work if I live in a rural parish?
The same way regardless of where you live. We conduct consultations by phone or video, gather records remotely, file electronically, and represent you at hearings by telephone. Since nearly all SSA hearings are now conducted by phone, there is no practical difference between local and remote representation.
What's the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI is based on your work history and requires sufficient work credits from jobs where you paid Social Security taxes. SSI is needs-based for disabled individuals with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Some people qualify for both. Louisiana does not supplement standard SSI payments but does exempt all Social Security benefits from state income tax.
I was denied disability benefits: is it too late to get help?
Not necessarily. You generally have 60 days from a denial to file an appeal. If you're within that window, an attorney can step in immediately. Even if the deadline has passed, filing a new application may be an option. Contact us as soon as possible to evaluate your situation.
You've Worked Hard: Let Us Work for You
The people of southwestern Louisiana build their lives around hard work — in the oil fields, on the water, in hospitals and classrooms. When a disability takes that ability away, you don't have to navigate the system alone. Contact The Law Offices of Timothy D. Welborn today for a free consultation. No upfront costs, no office visits required — just experienced representation focused on getting you the benefits you deserve.
