Flint Social Security Disability Lawyer
Disabled workers confront many challenges, including the difficulty of obtaining medical care to get well. Perhaps the greatest difficulty is staying afloat financially when a medical condition prevents a person from working. Disabled workers suffer intense financial distress and often experience trouble paying their bills.
Helpfully, the federal government’s Social Security Disability (SSD) program can step in and provide benefits to those with severe disabilities. Obtaining approval, however, is difficult. Most applicants are immediately denied, even when they have valid claims. Please contact Nationwide Disability Law as soon as you can. Our Flint Social Security Disability lawyer at our firm is available for a free consultation. We can review what evidence you need and handle your case from beginning to end.
Why Obtaining Benefits is Difficult
The SSD program is reserved for only those workers who have paid into the system. Generally, workers must have accumulated sufficient work credits to be eligible, and they must have recent work history. There are some exceptions to this general rule, especially for younger workers.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) also defines disability to mean a severe medical condition which prevents a worker from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA), based on their monthly wages. This medical condition must last for at least a year or be a terminal condition. Often, SSA believes a worker can transition to a new job or go back to an old one, so they deny benefits despite a worker experiencing a serious disability.
We Can Help You Navigate the Claims Process
Obtaining benefits is challenging. After completing a detailed application, workers and their families wait to hear back from SSA. Unfortunately, more than 70% of applicants are initially denied, which is a disheartening experience.
The good news is that a disabled worker has many chances to appeal. With the right attorney in your corner, you can request reconsideration of your application and ultimately request a hearing before an administrative law judge. More workers receive benefits at these stages, so do not give up hope after receiving an initial denial notice.
Our firm can help any disabled worker, regardless of where they are in the process. We can:
- Help you gather evidence and fill out an initial application.
- Analyze the reasons for any denial and whether you should appeal or seek reconsideration.
- Submit an appeal in a timely manner, before all deadlines.
- Compile evidence to use in a hearing before an administrative law judge.
- Make your case in a hearing and advocate for benefits on your behalf.
- Continue with additional appeals, if necessary, to vindicate your rights to benefits.
Our firm has helped hundreds of disabled workers achieve the ultimate goal: benefits for their injuries.
Michigan Social Security Disability FAQs
The Social Security Disability program provides life-saving benefits to disabled workers. Nonetheless, many injured workers are unsure about whether they should apply for benefits. They have many questions, and they are searching online for answers. If this describes you, please contact Nationwide Disability Law today. Our Flint Social Security Disability attorney at our firm can schedule a free consultation and guide you through the application process.
Is there a waiting period to receive benefits?
Typically, there is a five-month waiting period. You receive benefits during your sixth full month of disability. An exception is for those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), who have no waiting period.
How long will it take to receive a decision on an application?
The amount of time depends on your claimed medical condition and other factors. Usually, however, it takes 3-6 months to receive an initial decision.
Who reviews my application?
It is sent to an office of Disability Determination Services. An examiner will review your application to see if you qualify for benefits.
How many people are initially denied?
About 70% of all applicants are denied initially. Many of these people will go on and be approved for benefits after bringing an appeal. Do not lose hope if your initial application is denied.
What are the reasons people are denied?
Some of the most common include:
- Insufficient work history
- Lack of medical evidence or documentation
- Medical condition expected to heal within a year
You should read your denial notice to find out the reason why you did not receive benefits.
Can I receive benefits if I do not have sufficient work credits?
Usually, a worker needs at least 40 credits, with 20 of them earned in the past 10 years. A worker can earn a maximum of 4 credits in a year. So to receive benefits, most people need to have worked at least 5 of the past 10 years.
Some applicants can receive benefits with fewer credits. A young person can qualify with fewer than 40. Also, you might qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is entirely need-based and does not require work history.
How many people receive benefits on appeal?
After your application is denied, you might request reconsideration. Roughly 16% of applicants are approved at this stage. If denied yet again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge, who will listen to the evidence and is empowered to approve you. . Historically, more than 30% of people receive benefits at this stage.
How much does your law firm charge?
Federal law limits the amount we can receive to 25% of your back-due benefits, or $6,000, whichever is less. If for some reason you don’t receive benefits, then you owe us nothing at all.
Connect with an Experienced Flint Social Security Disability Attorney
Nationwide Disability Law opened its doors to help people like you: workers who are frustrated when a medical condition prevents them from working. Please call our firm today. Our experienced Flint Social Security Disability lawyer can go over your medical condition and fight to get you the benefits you deserve.
