Denied SSI in Michigan or Ohio? How to Appeal.
If your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application was denied in Michigan or Ohio, you’re not alone. SSI denies a wide majority of applications every year, even when people have serious medical conditions and deserve benefits.
Just because you got denied doesn’t mean you’re ineligible. You probably should appeal. That’s how most people finally win benefits. This is going to require new information, evidence and arguments in your claim.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies applications because they didn’t receive enough medical evidence in the initial application. Or the application didn’t make clear enough exactly how someone’s condition impacts their ability to work. Or Social Security just made a mistake.
If you receive a denial letter, the next steps feel confusing and overwhelming. What can you do now?
The Levine Benjamin Law Firm disability lawyers in Michigan and Ohio can help you understand your options and keep your claim alive. You can get another chance at life-changing financial help.
We’ve been helping people appeal SSI disability denials for decades. Our team of disability attorneys understands the ins and outs of the appeals process and what it takes to build a stronger case moving forward.
Act quickly, because when you’re denied, you have 60 days to file your appeal.
From applying to appealing, we help you every step of the way.
The SSI Appeals Process
The SSI appeals process includes several possible stages. Levine Benjamin helps you decide what is right for you and your claim. Here is what to expect next:
- You File a Request for Reconsideration. Social Security reviews your case again with a different examiner and any new evidence you can add.
- You Attend an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing. You will testify before a disability judge and answer questions about your health and everyday limitations.
- You Seek Appeals Council Review. If the ALJ denies you, you can ask a group at Social Security called the Appeals Council to review the judge’s decisions. You will point out errors you believe the judge made. You can’t add updates on your situation or new evidence at this point.
- You File a Federal Court Appeal. This happens when you disagree with the result of Social Security’s entire process, all the way through the Appeals Council. You ask a federal judge to review it.
Many applicants win approval at the administrative hearing step. The disability judge who reviews your medical records and hears your testimony about how your condition affects your daily life may be the only person at Social Security you ever get to personally talk to, and that can make a difference.
The decision at this stage relies heavily on presenting strong medical evidence and clearly explaining the limitations caused by your disability. An experienced disability lawyer from Levine Benjamin can help you prepare to testify and represent you through the hearing.
From reconsideration to federal court, we know the process, and we know what it takes to give you the best chance at the benefits you need.
How You Can Win an SSI Appeal in Michigan and Ohio
If you’ve been denied SSI, it’s frustrating and confusing. You’re already dealing with serious health problems. You don’t need more problems.
But there are steps you can take to improve your chances of winning your appeal, and we can help.
SSI appeals are built on complete and accurate information. This means gathering your most updated medical records and clear documentation of your symptoms.
Your disability lawyer can help you lay out exactly how your condition affects your ability to work and function day to day.
It’s also important to meet SSA deadlines, respond to requests for more information in a timely way, and be consistent in how you describe your condition across forms and testimony. An inconsistency or gap in your information can result in another denial.
At Levine Benjamin Law Firm, our team helps:
- Review your denial letter and identify why your claim was denied
- Gather additional medical records and expert opinions
- Present updates on your health situation
- File documents and arguments with the judge
- Prepare you for your disability hearing
- Represent you before the administrative law judge
- Question medical or vocational experts who may testify about your case
- Continue your case with higher appeals if needed
We’re Michigan’s top disability law firm by benefits won, and we’re proud of it.
After a denial of SSI benefits, let us help you get another chance at economic assistance so you can rest easier.