Lansing Disability Lawyers

Social Security has a list of qualifying impairments, but you can qualify for benefits even if your particular health issue isn’t on the list.

You  need to meet the Social Security Administration (SSA) special definition of disability.

Your disability claim needs to show that:

• Your health problems have stopped you from working.
• Your health issues prevent you from finding new work.
• You won’t be able to work for at least 12 months because of your health.

Social Security runs two types of disability benefits. You need to meet the above criteria to qualify for either.

The first program is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This program is for people who have been working and paying into Social Security for a significant amount of time.

If you get approved for SSDI, monthly payments are calculated based partly on your previous income. You can also enroll in Medicare earlier than the usual eligibility age.

The second program is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This is a need-based program, meaning you can qualify even if you haven’t worked a lot.

SSI recipients can receive monthly benefits payments and qualify for Medicaid coverage, but they need to stay under a certain resource limit ($2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples not counting a home and one car) to maintain eligibility.

Qualifying for any type of disability benefit is going to be hard, but our Social Security Disability attorneys can help you strengthen your claim.

You can apply for Social Security Disability online, over the phone, or by visiting a local Social Security office.

It may seem simple enough to fill out some forms and send them off, but this process is more complicated than applicants expect.

The SSA won’t just believe you if you say that you can’t work because of a health condition. You need to back up your claim with hard evidence.

Items you need to collect include:

• Medical records
• Your doctor’s appraisal of your physical and mental capabilities
• Information about your work history and payments into Social Security
• Evidence of disruptions to your work, like missed days or a need for a reduced workload
• Statements from friends, family members, coworkers, and anyone else who has seen your health struggles firsthand

Gathering the right evidence and making your disability claim convincing is difficult.

Many applicants make mistakes when they fill out forms, delaying the process and potentially endangering their benefits.

An SSD lawyer from our firm can guide you through this process, ensuring that you give claims examiners all the evidence and information they need to get an accurate picture of your health issues.

Schedule your FREE case evaluation.

For many people, getting denied disability benefits is just a part of this process. Roughly 60% of Michiganders get their initial applications rejected.

Social Security gives you multiple chances to appeal, but the process gets more complicated and legalistic as it goes on. We don’t recommend going through it on your own.

Our Lansing disability attorneys know this process well. There are four stages of appeals:

• Asking Social Security for reconsideration
• A disability hearing in front of an administrative law judge
• Asking the Social Security Appeals Council to review the hearing decision
• Filing a civil suit in Federal District Court

If you’ve been denied benefits, our Lansing Social Security Disability lawyers want to hear from you.

Contact Us.

Winning disability benefits is hard and takes a long time, but this process can be easier when you have help from an experienced Lansing Social Security Disability lawyer.

Our team can help you with every part of your disability claim, and you won’t pay an attorney fee until you win benefits.

Some things a lawyer will help you with include:

• Identifying important evidence for your disability claim
• Keeping track of important deadlines
• Filling out SSA forms completely and accurately
• Responding to Social Security’s requests for information and records
• Appealing if your initial application for benefits gets denied
• Guiding you to local resources that can help while you wait for benefits, including the Cristo Rey Community Center, Greater Lansing Food Bank, and Lansing’s Human Relations & Community Services Department

Our Lansing disability lawyers can also assist you if you have questions about long-term disability insurance or what kinds of medical plans you can qualify for once you’re approved for benefits.

If you can’t work because of your health, make sure your Social Security Disability claim is in the right hands.

The team at Levine Benjamin won’t treat you like you’re just another case number. You’re our neighbor.

We’re committed to helping people in Lansing. Our lawyers include graduates of Michigan State and Western Michigan universities with long-time ties to the city.

We’ll give your claim the time and attention it deserves.

Contact Us Today.

Applying for Social Security Disability is confusing, so you probably have some questions.

Our Lansing disability attorneys can answer them. Here are some examples of questions we hear often:

Does my health problem qualify for disability benefits?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) lists certain ailments and how to evaluate them for disability benefits, but you don’t need to have a specific health issue to qualify.

The key to a successful claim is showing that you meet Social Security’s specific definition of disability: Your health problem prevents you from working any job for a long time, 12 months or more.

When should I apply for disability?

You should apply for disability as soon as you know your health problem is going to keep you out of work for a long time.

The sooner you start your application, the sooner you can start receiving monthly benefits checks.

If you’re applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it’s especially important to apply as early as possible. SSI benefits are only awarded dating back to the first full month after you file your claim, no matter how far back your health problems go.

How long does it take to get approved for disability?

Getting approved for disability benefits can take months or years. Social Security has complicated rules, a large backlog of claims and not enough examiners.

If you get denied and have to appeal, the process stretches even longer.

A Lansing disability lawyer can’t promise you’ll get benefits quickly, but we can help you make your disability claim more convincing, avoid common mistakes, and give the SSA all the information it needs to understand your health issues.

The good news is that you could receive a substantial amount of back benefits once your claim is approved to make up for all that time you waited.

How much does disability pay?

If you’re approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the government uses a formula to pay you based on your past income. You’ll also qualify for Medicare coverage.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments start at a maximum amount that’s the same for everyone and typically adjusts each year. Then money is deducted based on other support or benefits you’re receiving.

If you get approved for SSI, you also qualify for Medicaid.

What happens if Social Security denies my claim?

Most people get denied the first time they apply for Social Security Disability benefits because the Social Security Administration has such high standards.

A denial isn’t the end. There are four stages of appeal. This can take a lot of time, but appealing is almost always better than starting over with a new application.

Why should I get a disability lawyer?

A Lansing Social Security Disability lawyer is familiar with this system and knows what goes into a successful disability claim.

It’s not easy to win disability benefits on your own, but Levine Benjamin has the experience needed to give you the best possible chance of getting approved. We’ve helped more than 100,000 people just like you get the financial assistance they needed.

How does a lawyer get paid?

If you’re worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer, we understand. We don’t charge an attorney’s fee until you win benefits.

Getting approved doesn’t just mean monthly benefits checks. Because this process takes so long, you’ll also receive back pay to make up for the months or years it took to win your case.

A Michigan disability lawyer’s fee comes out of that back pay. Social Security limits the fee to 25% of the back pay or $9,200, whichever is less.