If you live in the state of Michigan you may file an application for disability benefits in that state. Most states provide disability benefits to applicants who are eligible. There are several requirements that need to be met including the disability being in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book listings.
If your disability doesn’t match an exact listing the SSA may request you take part in a Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) assessment conducted by your physician. The results of this assessment help a decision to be reached to determine if your physical and mental capacity is sufficient for you to do work related tasks.
Social Security Disability Benefits in Michigan
The Disability Determination Services (DDS) office in Michigan is responsible for the decision making in relation to disability benefits claims. The following information is used:
- the applicant’s present medical status and medical records;
- the applicant’s personal statement explaining the limitations caused by their disability;
- medical and psychological accounts provided by the applicant’s physician;
- an ongoing review of the disability.
In Michigan and in other US states to qualify for the Social Security Disability benefits (SSDI program), you must have been in work for a certain number of years where you paid Social Security taxes (FICA) and accrued the correct number of work credits. If you haven't worked for long enough when inflicted with the disability and your income and assets fall below a certain threshold you may be told you are eligible to file an application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as you may not be eligible for SSDI benefits.
When lodging a social security disability benefits claim in Michigan it is the responsibility of the federal government through the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Disability Determination Service (DDS) on behalf of the SSA makes the decision about your disability benefits claim in Michigan Before you apply, there is one key step you should go through which may help to increase your chances of getting your claim approved. First and foremost you need to ensure you have been to see a doctor in the last 12 months which is directly related to your current medical condition.
Social Security Field Offices In Michigan
You will need to lodge your disability benefit application at one of the field offices listed below:
Anyone living in Michigan can apply for SSI (or SSDI) at their closest Social Security office in Michigan.
Adrian, Alpena, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Bay City, Benton Harbor, Big Rapids, Cadillac, Chesterfield, Clawson, Dearborn, Detroit, Escanaba, Farmington Hills, Flint, Fort Gratiot, Grand Rapids, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Holland, Houghton, Inkster, Ironwood, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Livonia, Ludington, Marquette, Monroe, Mt Pleasant, Muskegon, Owosso, Petoskey, Pontiac, Redford, Roseville, Saginaw, Sault Sainte Marie, Sterling Heights, Traverse City, West Branch, and Wyandotte.
Disability Statistics in Michigan
In Michigan 28.2 percent of adults have some sort of disability compared to a national average of 25.6 percent.
Only about 30% of SSDI claims are awarded disability benefits at the initial application stage in Michigan. This means 70 percent of claims have go through the appeals system in order to receive SSDI benefits.
There are several stages to the appeals process in Michigan, but the Reconsideration stage (1st stage of appeal) is no longer required, so claimants who have been denied benefits at their initial application stage may proceed to the appeals hearing. In Michigan, the approval rate at the disability appeals hearing is 49.4 percent lower than the 59 percent national average.
Appealing Denied Social Security in Michigan
In Michigan, the SSA allows those disability benefits applicants who have had their claim denied to apply to go through the appeals process. The case is heard by an administrative law judge (ALJ). Generally, you are given 60 days after receiving the decision notice to lodge the appeal.
The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR), performs Social Security Disability (SSD) hearings and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) hearings in seven different offices in Michigan. Today in Michigan, the average wait time for a SSI or SSD hearing is 9.5 months. The average processing time for a case in Michigan is 352 days.
Help Filing for Disability Benefits in Michigan
It is not a simple process filing for disability benefits in Michigan as there are so many features of your disability claim that have to be evaluated and approved before you are granted any disability benefits.
A disability lawyer may be able to help you win your disability benefits entitlements in Michigan and can try to win a disability claim on your behalf so that attending an appeals hearing is not required. However, if your claim is denied at the first stage and you file an appeal the disability lawyer can work hard to win an appeal in this often long and tedious process to help ensure you get the disability benefits you deserve.
Get a Free Case Evaluation with an independent, participating attorney that subscribes to the website today!
