GRAND RAPIDS QUALIFY
From applying to appealing, Levine Benjamin Law Firm has helped 80,000 people win disability benefits.
Qualify for Disability in Grand Rapids
As Michigan’s second largest city, Grand Rapids puts its shoulder into hard work and a secure lifestyle.
It’s extra hard for Michiganders there when they get sick—so sick that they can no longer work no matter how much they want to be self-sufficient. Frustration, worry, even anger don’t begin to cover how you feel when serious health problems arise.
Social Security Disability benefits can be a lifeline for Grand Rapids residents when they’re ambushed by a medical crisis. Those monthly checks keep the bill collectors at bay and bring stability to focus on feeling better.
But disability benefits aren’t a given. You have to qualify, and most people have to fight denials.
You have to gather a lot of evidence before you even start your Social Security Disability application.
Social Security will want to know your medical history and see proof you can’t work for at least a year. Even then, there’s no guarantee. Security denies more than three out of four first-time applicants.
When you’re worried, an experienced disability attorney can be a real asset.
Levine Benjamin Law Firm has been helping folks of Grand Rapids for 60 years. We know the city. We know the people. We know Social Security, from the doctors to the judges and administrators working in the offices on Knapp Street and Breton Road.
From applying to appealing, we help you every step of the way.
What would you like to do?
What Impairments Qualify You for Disability Benefits in Grand Rapids
Maybe you built furniture on Monroe Avenue, or worked at one of Grand Rapids’ great breweries, but when your health will no longer let you do what you do best, you have a legal right to financial relief.
After all, the taxes you paid with every paycheck entitle you to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
The first step toward getting that help is gathering evidence that shows how you qualify for disability benefits.
To qualify, you must prove two basic truths:
1. Your medical condition is a disability benefits-eligible impairment.
2. Your condition will keep you from working—at your job or any other—for at least a year.
Social Security has a big list of impairments that qualify you for disability benefits. Major disorder categories include:
- Musculoskeletal
- Respiratory
- Cardiovascular
- Digestive
- Genitourinary
- Hematological
- Skin
- Endocrine
- Neurological
- Mental
- Cancer
- Immune System
- Congenital
Not everyone’s situation neatly fits into Social Security’s definitions of impairment. But your symptoms may be severe enough to qualify you for disability benefits anyway.
The key is to demonstrate your health problems keep you out of work and unable to earn a livable wage for at least a year. Combining your work history with the impact of your condition is the key to a successful application.
If you’re unsure how to qualify for disability benefits, Levine Benjamin can help. Giving us a call costs you nothing. You pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.
Visit our Grand Rapids offices or give us a call for a free consultation.
Take The Mystery Out of How to Qualify for Disability
How to figure out if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits can seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.
Start by asking yourself some basic questions:
How long did I work? Social Security Disability Insurance payments are based on “work credits.” You can earn up to four every year. You have to show you’ve paid into Social Security for at least 10 years—earning at least 40 credits—and that you earned 20 credits in the last decade before you got sick.
How much do I make from working? You can still bring in some money while you can’t work. For SSDI that can include revenue from investments, property you own, or a spouse’s income. But you can’t make more than $1,620 a month (as of 2025) from working yourself. Social Security considers that “substantial gainful activity” and could deny your claim.
How old am I? To qualify for disability benefits, you have to be younger than retirement age. At that age, Social Security puts you on retirement benefits.
Next comes the hard part. Unfortunately, your word isn’t good enough for Social Security. You have to prove you qualify for disability benefits by gathering up multiple supporting documents. These include medical records, work documents, and even statements from people who know you and your health problems.
At Levine Benjamin, we do this legwork for you.
In Grand Rapids, we know what Social Security administrators are looking for. We know the doctors in our area who you visit to get the medical evidence you need for your claim. We know the system, and we can help you avoid mistakes that could result in Social Security denying your claim.
From start to finish, Levine Benjamin is there for people in Grand Rapids. Contact Us Now!