SSI and Social Security Disability Lawyers Can Help Maximize Benefits
Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran
Can’t work because of a medical condition? You probably qualify for benefits. An attorney can help you get them.
Understanding Your SSDI Or SSI Benefits
If you have been employed and have paid your Social Security taxes, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is something that may cover you if you are unable to work. Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax — those small amounts deducted from your paychecks — makes this insurance program possible. Both Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are disability programs provided by the federal government.
To apply for benefits you must have a medical condition that meets Social Security’s definition of disability. After a successful application process, monthly benefits are paid to you if you are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability.
Benefits usually begin when your workers compensation benefits are exhausted, and continue until you are able to work again on a regular basis. There are also a number of special rules, called work incentives, that provide continued benefits and health care coverage to help you make the transition back to work.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays benefits based on financial need, and not on your work history. Many states, including Michigan, know that the cost of living is higher than the maximum amount of SSI, and provide extra payments to people who get SSI.
Find an attorney before making an application. An attorney can make sure your medical condition qualifies for SSDI benefits, and help you assemble all the information you need to make a successful claim.
The professionals at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., have significant expertise in the Social Security disability claims process. We are a Michigan-based firm, and know many of the doctors, SSDI case examiners, and judges who will review your claim. Contact us for a free evaluation of your situation and the best path forward.
Filing A Social Security Disability Claim
To file for benefits, you must gather all medical records from your doctors, the hospital, and any other healthcare providers. An SSDI or SSI claim is sometimes enhanced significantly when formal statements from medical providers are included.
Medical records that show a complete picture of your medical condition and physical disability, and how your condition limits your ability to work can, in some cases, eliminate the need for a government disability examiner to ask for additional information and delay the claims process.
A social security disability attorney can help you understand all the details involved in making a successful SSDI application, and assist you in assembling the evidence you need to make a successful claim. An attorney can also speak, on your behalf, directly with Social Security Administration personnel to answer questions, and alert you about any new developments in your application process, which can take up to 12 months.
If Your Claim Is Denied
Over half of all first-time applicants making a social security disability claim are denied, and over 90% of all applicants seek help from an attorney or advocacy organization at some point in the process.
If your application is denied, or if you believe you have not been compensated adequately, you may appeal the decision by filing a written request within 60 days of receiving the denial. Appeals processes involve a reconsideration of your application with a different claims examiner and the introduction of new evidence, and if you are still not satisfied with the results, you can request a hearing.
Your Right To A Formal Hearing
If your claim is repeatedly denied, you can request a formal hearing. At this hearing, your attorney can ask the judge to subpoena witnesses, present evidence or information that is new or that you believe hasn’t been reviewed properly in the past.
If you have already been awarded benefits, you can ask the judge at this hearing to review and reassess those calculations.
Having an attorney at your side is essential at this stage, particularly a personal injury attorney with courtroom presentation skills. Your attorney can also prepare you for questions that you are going to be asked, and help you articulate your case in the most effective and persuasive way possible.
Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. are familiar with Social Security Disability Insurance regulations, and all the details involved in gathering evidence and compiling your claim. Let us help you maximize your SSDI benefits.
Contact us toll-free (24 hours) for a no obligation appointment at 1-866-MICH-LAW or use our convenient online contact form.
Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.