Grand Rapids Disability Lawyers
Grand Rapids is an amazing place to live, but it’s hard to appreciate everything it has to offer when health problems have stopped you from working and you’re stressed about your finances.
People here work hard in industries from furniture manufacturing to automotive, medical device building, pharmaceutical making, health care, hospitality, agriculture and more.
They deserve a helping hand when they suddenly find themselves unable to earn a paycheck.
Disability benefits are supposed to serve as a financial lifeline, but the Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t make benefits easy to get.
That’s why you should talk to the Grand Rapids Social Security Disability lawyers at the Levine Benjamin Law Firm if you think you qualify for benefits.
It’s not easy to get a disability claim approved, but we’ve helped more than 100,000 people get the benefits they deserve.
Whether you have questions about the differences between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or you’ve already applied and been denied benefits, our Grand Rapids disability attorneys can help you with your claim.
You won’t pay an attorney fee until you win benefits.
From applying to appealing, we help you every step of the way.
What would you like to do?
When Can a Grand Rapids Disability Lawyer Help Me?
Some disability attorneys will tell you to apply for benefits and come back if you get rejected.
That’s not how our Grand Rapids disability lawyers operate. We want to help you at every step of this process:
Step 1: Qualifying for Benefits
You won’t qualify for disability benefits just because you have a health issue. Social Security has specific criteria you’ll need to meet.
Social Security Disability isn’t for people with minor ailments that will clear up after a few months or someone who could switch to a less physically or mentally demanding job.
You need to be able to show that your health problem is serious enough to stop you from working at any job, and that you’re going to be unable to work for 12 months or longer.
Applying for benefits is a lot of work. You have to gather your medical records, fill out forms correctly, and respond to Social Security’s requests if they need more information.
It’s lot to keep track of, especially when you’re struggling with your health and your finances. Our Grand Rapids Social Security Disability lawyers can help you do this right and give you the best chance of winning benefits.
Step 3: Appealing if Your Claim Gets Denied
Many Social Security Disability claims are denied, even when applicants think that they did everything right. Only about 35-40% of initial applications are approved.
We usually recommend appealing. Our disability lawyers can help you with each phase of your appeal, starting with asking Social Security for reconsideration within 60 days of your denial.
We’ll represent you at your disability hearing in front of an administrative law judge. We’ll take your appeal to the Social Security Appeals Council if need be.
Our disability lawyers for people in Grand Rapids are ready to help you exhaust all options and fight for the benefits that you deserve.
What You Need to Win Social Security Disability in Grand Rapids
Social Security won’t accept only your word that you have a health problem that stops you from working. You need to be able to back up your claim with evidence.
A Grand Rapids disability attorney can help you. We know what the SSA looks for.
Some items you need include:
- Medical documentation of your symptoms
- Your doctor’s assessment of your everyday functioning
- A record of consistent, ongoing treatments
- Records of surgical and medical procedures
- Information about the medical and assistive technology you use
- Verification of your work history and payments into Social Security
- Evidence of disruption to your work, like missed days and reduced hours
- Statements from friends, family members and coworkers who have witnessed your health struggles firsthand
Even if you do your best to gather evidence and make your disability claim convincing, your application can still be denied. Social Security’s standards are high.
It’s important to have an experienced Grand Rapids disability lawyer on your side who can support you throughout this entire process.
The Advantages of Having a Grand Rapids Disability Attorney
A Grand Rapids disability lawyer can do more than help you gather evidence and fill out paperwork, although we’re good at that, too.
We can assist you by:
- Taking the time to speak with you and really understand your case
- Building an argument that your health prevents you from doing any job, not just your current one
- Addressing gaps in your Social Security Disability claim
- Answering your questions
- Keeping you updated on the status of your claim
- Preparing you for your disability hearing and the questions the judge may ask
- Cross-examining expert witnesses at your hearing
- Keeping you aware of important deadlines
- Filing legal briefs in support of your appeal
The Michigan lawyers at Levine Benjamin also offer local knowledge that a lawyer from an out-of-town firm might not have. We know Grand Rapids, the people who live here, and the local Social Security offices and administrative law judges who could preside over your hearing.
We can also help you seek out local resources, like Feeding America West Michigan and Kent County Community Action, if you need assistance while you’re waiting to be approved for benefits.
You don’t want to leave your disability claim to chance with a lawyer who’s only going to pop in on the day of your hearing.
We’ll give your claim the time and personal attention it deserves.
Grand Rapids is the kind of place where you should be able to enjoy your life.
It’s got natural beauty along the Grand River and easy access to Lake Michigan. It’s got a hometown feel with bigger city perks, like the great arts scene.
It’s safe and healthy for families. It’s affordable compared to a lot of other places. It’s growing.
When your personal situation has gotten harder in Grand Rapids, let us help you reclaim a happier life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Social Security Disability in Grand Rapids
You have questions about Social Security Disability. The team at Levine Benjamin has answers.
Here are a few of the questions that our Grand Rapids disability lawyers hear often.
How does Social Security define disability?
Disability benefits aren’t for people who just need a few months off from work due to their health.
When Social Security evaluates your claim, they want to see three things:
- Your health problems have stopped you from working.
- You can’t just switch jobs.
- Your health problems will stop you from working for 12 months or more.
If a claims examiner thinks you’ll be able to change to a less demanding job or get back to work in a few months, you’re not going to be approved for benefits.
Can mental health issues qualify for disability?
Mental health issues can be just as disruptive to your work as physical ailments. Social Security’s official listing of impairments includes anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, PTSD and other mental health issues.
Getting approved for disability is always difficult, but it can be even tougher to qualify for benefits when you need to prove a disability claim for mental health.
Work with a Grand Rapids disability attorney who knows what Social Security looks for and how to strengthen your claim.
When should I talk to a disability lawyer?
You should talk to a Grand Rapids disability lawyer as soon as you realize you can’t work because of medical issues.
Some law firms will tell you to apply on your own and come back to them if you get denied benefits, but that’s not how our team works.
We’ll assist you with every part of your disability claim, from figuring out if you qualify to appealing to Social Security if your initial application isn’t successful.
How does a lawyer get paid?
There is no upfront fee when you have a Michigan disability lawyer from Levine Benjamin.
We only collect an attorney fee when you win benefits, and it won’t come out of your pocket.
When your disability claim is approved, you’ll win a lump sum of back benefits to make up for all that time you waited for your claim to move through the system.
Our fee comes out of that lump sum, and it’s limited to 25% of your back pay or $9,200, whichever is less.
What’s the difference between SSDI and SSI?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) both require you to meet the SSA’s definition of disability, but there are some important differences.
SSDI is for people who have been working and paying into Social Security. The monthly payments are calculated based partly on a recipient’s past income.
SSI is a need-based program. Even if you have never worked a significant amount, you can still qualify for these benefits as long as you meet strict asset and income requirements.
SSDI also allows you to qualify for Medicare earlier than normal after a waiting period. SSI recipients can enroll in Medicaid once they’re approved for benefits, with no waiting period.
Can I appeal if my disability claim gets denied?
Most Michiganders get denied the first time they apply for benefits. In most cases, our Grand Rapids disability lawyers will suggest you should appeal.
There are four stages of disability benefits appeals, but you have to act quickly each time your claim is denied. You have just 60 days to respond and move on to the next phase of your appeal.
Taking too long to inform the SSA you want your appeal to continue could mean starting over with a new application for benefits.
Can I work while applying for or receiving disability benefits?
You can work a limited amount when applying for disability benefits or after you’ve already been approved, but it can affect your benefits.
A key consideration is Social Security’s “substantial gainful activity (SGA)” threshold. If you are bringing in an income from working, going above these limits can endanger your benefits.
Social Security every year sets a monthly amount you can earn from work and still get benefits.