Grand Rapids is a popular tourist destination in the State of Michigan. There are a variety of things to do and see when visiting the area. From historic sites to art museums, the possibilities are endless.
The city is known for its beaches and golf courses and locals and tourists alike can be treated to a fine dining experience at one of the many Grand Rapids eateries.
Grand Rapids is also rich in history. In fact President Gerald R. Ford was from Grand Rapids and he and his wife are buried at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, which is located in the city.
About Social Security Disability Benefits
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has reported that more than 237,000 people who are living in the State of Michigan receive Social Security Disability benefits.
In order to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits in Grand Rapids, you must be able to prove that you suffer from a disabling condition that prevents you from performing any type of work activity and that the condition is expected to last for a period of at least twelve months.
In order to determine whether or not you are disabled according to SSA standards, an adjudicator will review your application and will compare your condition and the information that you submit in your file to the disabling conditions that are listed in the SSA’s Blue Book.
If your condition is not listed in this Blue Book, it can be difficult to prove that you qualify for benefits. In many cases, however, the services of a Grand Rapids Social Security Disability attorney can help you prove your case to the SSA.
If you are approved for Social Security Disability benefits you will begin receiving benefits once you have met the six-month waiting period that has been established by the SSA.
This six-month wait is dated from the date that your disability began, so if you are approved for benefits and have already been disabled for six months or more, you will begin receiving benefits immediately and may even be entitled to back pay from the SSA.
The amount of your benefits will vary depending on your work history and the cost of living in your area. The amount of your back pay will be determined by how long you have been disabled according to the SSA and how much your monthly disability benefit will be.
Apply for Grand Rapids Social Security Disability Benefits
If you need Social Security Disability benefits in the Grand Rapids area you should take your case to a Grand Rapids Social Security Disability lawyer before you even file your initial application with the SSA.
When filing for benefits, there are many complicated forms that must be filled out properly and you must provide adequate medical evidence in order to be approved for benefits. If you fail to provide the SSA with any of the information that is required, your application for benefits is likely to be denied.
The services of a Grand Rapids Social Security Disability lawyer can ensure that your paperwork is properly filled out and that you have provided the SSA with sufficient medical evidence to prove the extent of your disability and why you qualify for disability benefits.
If your initial claim for disability benefits has already been denied by the SSA, then you will need to file an appeal in order to obtain the benefits that you may be entitled to. In most cases, a disability appeal consists of a request for reconsideration and a disability hearing.
Going into the appeal process, it is important to understand that more than 80 percent of reconsideration requests are denied by the SSA while 60 percent of hearings are decided in the applicant’s favor.
If however, you do not have proper legal representation at your hearing, your chances of being among those who are approved significantly decrease.
The offices that are in charge of processing disability claims for Grand Rapids Social Security Disability applicants are located at 3045 Knapp Street and 15 Ionia Ave SW in suite number 300. Both offices are located in the City of Grand Rapids.
Anyone living in Grand Rapids can apply for SSI (or SSDI) at their closest Social Security office in Michigan.
Grand Rapids Social Security Disability Resources
It is important that you provide this office with current medical evidence when filing your claim. If you do not have medical insurance and finances are an issue, there are many low-cost medical clinics that can help. These are some of the low-cost clinics that provide services to residents in the Grand Rapids area:
Baxter Holistic Health Center
935 Baxter, S.E.
Grand Rapids MI 49506
616-456-5310
Belknap Commons Health Center
751 Lafayette Ave., NE
Grand Rapids MI 49503
616-742-9945
Browning Clayton Health Center
1246 Madison Ave. SE
Grand Rapids MI 49507
616-913-8300
Burton Health Center
2133 Buchanan SW
Grand Rapids MI 49507
616-247-3638
Catherine's Health Center
1211 Lafayett Ave NE
Grand Rapids MI 49505
616-336-8800
Cherry Street Services
540 Cherry St. SE
Grand Rapids MI 49503
616-776-2120
Cherry Street Services
751 Lafayette Ave. N.E.
Grand Rapids MI 49503
616-742-9945
Clinica Santa Maria of Saint Mary's
730 Grandville Ave. SW
Grand Rapids MI 49503
616-913-8400
Community Health Center
550 Cherry St. S.E.
Grand Rapids MI 49503
616-235-7272
Ferguson Dental Center
101 Sheldon SE
Grand Rapids MI 49503
616-776-2340
Ferguson Sheldon Adult Health Center
75 Sheldon Blvd SE
Grand Rapids MI 49503
616-776-2400
Grand Rapids Pediatrics
330 Barclay Ave. NE GL 2
Grand Rapids MI 49503
616-459-4314
Health Intervention Services
15 Andre St. SE
Grand Rapids MI 49507
616-475-8446
Heartside Clinic - Caring for the Homeless
359 S. Division SW
Grand Rapids MI 49503
616-685-3800
Kent County Health Department
700 Fuller Ave. NE
Grand Rapids MI 49503
616-632-7100
Oasis of Hope Center
522 Leonard Street NW
Grand Rapids MI 49504
616-451-8868
Saint Mary's Breast Center
200 Jefferson Street, SE
Grand Rapids MI 49503
800-639-6266
St Mary's Clinica Santa Maria
730 Grandville Ave. S.W.
Grand Rapids MI 49503
616-913-8400
The Salvation Army Booth Clinic
1215 East Fulton Street
Grand Rapids MI 49503
616-459-9468
Westside Health Center
669 Stocking Ave. NW
Grand Rapids MI 49504
616-235-1480
Your Grand Rapids Disability Claim
You are under no obligation to obtain the services of a Grand Rapids Social Security Disability attorney. Doing so, however, is in your best interests. The services of a Grand Rapids Social Security Disability lawyer can increase your chances of obtaining benefits during the initial stages of the disability application process or, if necessary, filing a successful disability appeal. This is why it is crucial that you retain the services of a Grand Rapids Social Security attorney.
Your attorney can review your case with you, help you fill out your application forms properly and will ensure that you have sufficient medical evidence to prove your case to the SSA. These services will result in an increased likelihood of the approval of your disability application.
If you wish to be contacted by an attorney or advocate, please fill out the free disability evaluation form located on this site.
