Are you suffering from a serious illness or injury that prevents you from working?
You’ve been injured or diagnosed with a serious illness. Now you can’t do your job. Or any job. How will you care for your children? Pay your bills? Keep your home? You’ve paid into Social Security, but you hear it’s tough to get disability approved. If you’re denied, then what? Or maybe your child has had a disability since birth and is now an adult that can’t earn enough income to live on. You don’t have the resources to care for your child through adulthood. What can you do?
We understand.
When you cannot work or have little income, you count on getting monthly help from Social Security. We can help you through the application process so you have a better chance at getting the compensation you deserve. If you’ve been denied, don’t give up. Many applicants who have valid claims are turned down the first time. Call us.
Our firm has more attorneys who specialize in Social Security Disability (SSD) than any other firm in Southwestern Michigan. We collectively bring decades of experience in helping clients get their benefits and advising them on how to keep them. We’re here to help you.
- What are the types of Social Security Disability benefits?
– Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is available if you are disabled, have worked for a sufficient period and have earned enough earned work credits.
– Social Security Insurance (SSI) is available if you are disabled and have very limited household income and few resources.
– Disabled widow’s and widower’s benefits are available if you are disabled, your spouse has died and you are between 50 and 60 years old.
– Benefits for adults who were disabled since childhood are based on parent’s earnings or if the parent is collecting retirement or disability benefits or is deceased.
– Children of disabled workers qualify for financial help if they are unmarried and under the age of 18 (or, up to age 19 if the child is a full-time high school student). In addition, children under age 18 who are disabled may receive SSI regardless of the parent’s work history; provided the family’s income is low enough and the family’s resources are limited. - How do I qualify? We need to prove that you meet all of the criteria:
– You are, or can expect to be disabled for more than a year.
– You have not been able to earn a living.
– Your disability is long term and will likely last until you die.
– Your disability or impairment is severe.
– You are not able to do any other kind of work.
– Social Security also bases your eligibility on your age, education and previous work. - How do I apply? There are three ways to apply: (1) Go online (2) Call 800-772-1213 or (3) visit your local Social Security office. It will take four to six months to get an initial decision on your claim, so apply as soon as you can. If you need help with this process for the best chance of a favorable result, we can guide you for a fee.
- What if my SSD is denied? Call us right away. Our expertise will help you in the appeal process. There are four stages for appealing your case.
– File a request for reconsideration.
– Present your case in a disability benefits hearing. Having one of our attorneys present will make it easier to argue your case. We’ll help you cover the information Social Security needs to know.
– Appeal to the Social Security Administration Appeals Council.
– Appeal to the federal court. This last step is a very complex legal process and you’ll definitely want one of our experienced attorneys in the courtroom. - We know other areas of personal injury law and this matters. Our attorneys take a big picture view of your case. We have a knowledge of worker’s compensation, medical malpractice and personal injury laws that helps us advise you on whether or not you have a case, what compensation you can expect and how to get it.
Our attorneys have worked with local doctors and expert witnesses. We have faced the SSI administrators and judges that will be involved with your case — they know that we only take social security disability cases that deserve benefits. So not only are we close by to handle your needs, we also know how to best help you. It’s expertise that’s definitely to your advantage.
Get help with a free legal consultation.
Give us a call. Let’s talk about your or your loved one’s disabilities. There’s no charge for our consultation. We’ll only receive money for our legal services if there is a recovery. Please don’t wait. The sooner we talk, the earlier you’ll know your options and the stronger case we can build for you. We’re here to make your life better.