Michigan Social Security Disability: Frequently Asked Questions
If you are applying for Social Security Disability benefits, or if your initial application has been denied, you undoubtedly have a lot of questions. Our SSDI attorneys are here to answer your questions and help you get the disability benefits you need and deserve.
Am I eligible for Social Security Disability benefits?
To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, you must meet the following general requirements:
- You must have worked in a job covered by Social Security for a certain amount of time.
- You must have paid Social Security taxes during your employment.
- You must have a disability that meets the requirements set forth by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
More specifically, your eligibility for SSDI benefits will depend on the following:
- First, you must be able to prove that your disability has lasted a year or more, or is expected to last a year or more, or is a terminal disability.
- Next, the SSA must determine that your disability prevents you from engaging in “substantial gainful activity” (SGA) and that you cannot continue to do the work you did prior to your disability.
- Finally, the SSA must determine that your condition prevents you from finding alternative employment due to either the disability itself, your age, or educational requirements.
Meeting these requirements can be challenging and can potentially take weeks or months of back-and-forth correspondence with the SSA before a decision is reached. For this reason, it is important that you keep detailed medical records that prove the severity of your disability. It is also important that you work with an attorney at our firm to help ensure that you get the benefits you need. For a free consultation regarding your benefits, we encourage you to contact us today.
How common are SSDI denials?
Very common. In fact, the vast majority of SSDI applications are denied on the first try. However, the likelihood of success increases greatly if you appeal the initial denial with the help of an SSDI attorney. Also, the Social Security Administration is currently doing an increased amount of reconsiderations. If your SSDI application has been denied, you can request a reconsideration. Our SSDI lawyers can handle this part and all aspects of your case to make the process as smooth as possible.
How long after a disability hearing will I get an answer?
If your SSDI claim has been denied, you can take your case to the next level through the appeals process. This can involve a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). After a hearing with the ALJ, you can usually expect to receive an answer within two to three months. However, there is no set deadline for the ALJ to deliver a decision, so the actual wait time could be longer or shorter.
Can I collect Social Security Disability and unemployment at the same time?
Nowhere does the law say that you cannot collect both disability and unemployment benefits; however, this would be a very unusual circumstance because both types of benefits generally exclude the other on the basis of their requirements. For example, to collect Social Security Disability benefits, you must be unable to work. To collect unemployment benefits, you must be willing and able to work but unable to find employment. However, there are certainly exceptions to these scenarios in which someone may be able to collect benefits for both.
Contact Us For A Free Consultation
The Social Security Disability lawyers at Steele & Ferguson, P.C., are here to help you get the benefits you need. Our main office is in Flint, and our Michigan SSDI attorneys represent clients statewide. Please call 888-471-2002 or complete our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation.