WHEN TO GET A DISABILITY LAWYER
When Should I Contact a Detroit Disability Lawyer in Michigan & Ohio?
It’s a good idea to talk to a disability lawyer as soon as you think you might qualify for Social Security Disability benefits due to a work-stopping health problem.
Some law firms will tell you to apply on your own and come back if you get denied disability benefits, but the Levine Benjamin Law Firm doesn’t work that way.
We think there’s a lot of value in working with a disability lawyer early on in this process, and we know the Social Security Disability system quite well.
Our disability attorneys have helped 100,000 people across Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana win the benefits they needed to get back on stable ground.
The Social Security Disability system is supposed to provide a financial lifeline when you develop medical issues and can’t work, but it’s never easy to qualify for disability.
We know how much peace of mind these benefits can bring to your life, and we’re ready to help you fight for them from the very beginning.
From applying to appealing, we help you every step of the way.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO?
Benefits of Talking to a Michigan Disability Lawyer Early
Some people applying for disability benefits think there’s no reason to involve a lawyer early on, but talking to a disability lawyer early can potentially make an enormous difference.
Successfully applying for benefits is stressful and difficult. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has high standards for awarding benefits, and it’s easy to get tripped up.
Our Detroit disability lawyers can help you:
- Keep your story straight.
If a claims examiner sees contradictions in your disability claim, they’re likely to deny you benefits. Any discrepancies between your medical records and the information you give on SSA forms can cause issues.
When you involve a disability attorney early in the application process, they can help you avoid contradicting yourself so Social Security doesn’t have anything to use against you later.
- Figure out which benefits you qualify for.
Some people applying for disability don’t realize that Social Security actually runs two different benefits programs.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are for people who worked and paid into the system. Recipients can also qualify for Medicare after a waiting period.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a need-based program, so you can qualify even if you haven’t worked a significant amount. You need to meet strict financial requirements to receive benefits.
Our disability lawyers can help you figure out which benefits you could receive.
- Talk to your doctors.
Sometimes it’s difficult to get the exact information you need for your claim from your doctors. Medical professionals and Social Security often think of the word “disability” in different ways.
When your doctors evaluate your physical and mental capabilities, they need to think about how your limitations affect your ability to work and function in routine tasks.
A lawyer can help you talk about your limits and ensure that your doctors provide the right kinds of information for your claim.
- Gather all of the medical records your claim needs.
Gathering and organizing all of the medical evidence you need for your claim can be exhausting, especially if you have a complex condition and see multiple specialists.
When you work with our disability lawyers from the start, we can help you get the medical records you need to support your claim with minimal stress.
It’s easy to make mistakes when you apply for Social Security Disability benefits. This process is more confusing and intimidating than people expect, so don’t go through it on your own.
Work with knowledgeable Michigan and Ohio disability lawyers who can help you navigate this process and craft a convincing disability claim from the start.
How Much Does a Detroit Disability Lawyer Cost?
We understand if you hesitate to contact a disability lawyer because you’re worried about the cost, but help from an experienced attorney could cost less than you think.
A Michigan or Ohio disability lawyer from our firm won’t charge you an upfront fee when you need help. We take Social Security Disability cases on a “contingency fee” basis.
That means that you pay an attorney’s fee when you win benefits, no matter how many stages of appeals you go through or how long this process takes.
When you get approved for benefits, you’ll also receive a lump sum of back pay to make up for time you spent waiting for approval. Your attorney’s fee comes out of that back pay, so you don’t need to write a check or pay out of your own pocket.
And Social Security even sets strict rules limiting attorney fees to a portion of your back pay.
You can get the help that you need, and your lawyer gets paid only when you do.
There’s little financial risk to working with a Detroit Social Security Disability lawyer, and there’s so much that an experienced lawyer can do to help you with your claim.
What Else Can a Disability Attorney Do to Help with My Claim?
Our Michigan Social Security Disability attorneys don’t just figure out which benefits you qualify for and help you fill out your application.
We’re with you at every step of the way, even if your claim gets denied.
The unfortunate truth is that roughly 60% of initial disability claims get denied. You get the chance to appeal, but each step of that process gets more complicated.
We can support your appeal and help you stick to Social Security’s strict deadlines that give you just 60 days to respond and keep your appeal going each time you get denied.
We’ll help you update your file with new medical evidence and represent you at your disability hearing in front of an administrative law judge.
Even the government’s own studies show that you’re more likely to win benefits at a hearing when you have representation.
Our team can also help you maximize your benefits and back pay. One big issue in SSDI cases is the “established onset date” (EOD) of your disability.
You can tell Social Security when you developed your work-stopping health problems, but it could decide that your EOD is actually a different, later date.
This can affect how much back pay you receive once your claim is approved. It can also affect when you’re eligible for Medicare coverage.
Our Detroit disability lawyers will do everything that we can to make sure there’s no doubt about when your medical issues stopped you from working. We won’t let the SSA shortchange you on benefits.
We know that you’re going through a difficult time. Winning SSDI or SSI benefits can help you regain your independence and stability.
We’ve helped so many people in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Toledo, and across Michigan, Ohio and Indiana fight for the benefits that they deserve.
Let us help you with your Social Security Disability claim as soon as you realize you can’t work and need financial relief.