Attorney Referrals

Michigan SSDI Lawyers

Michigan Based Disability Attorneys

Michigan disability

The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides monthly income payments to individuals with legally determined disabilities, blindness, or economic disadvantages. Children and adults whose income and resources are below the program’s financial limits may be eligible for benefits. Adults older than 65 who do not have disabilities and meet the financial limits also qualify for Michigan disability benefits. If you are unsure whether you qualify, we recommend speaking with our Michigan SSDI lawyers.

SSA runs these programs for beneficiaries meeting specified financial and medical standards. However, navigating the application process and trying to get approval can be overwhelming and confusing. The income provided by SSA benefits enables families to eat and maintain a household while they suffer a debilitating medical condition. Having your application for benefits denied wrongfully can be devastating and frightening. However, you have a legal right to the benefits provided by the SSA.

Luckily, Lipton Law’s Michigan-based disability attorneys have decades of experience securing necessary Social Security benefits for our clients. When your disability prevents you from working, and you believe your Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) was wrongfully denied, contact our Michigan personal injury attorneys at Lipton Law. Since 1964, our knowledgeable lawyers have been helping Michigan residents get the edge they need when going up against the federal government.

Am I Eligible for Social Security Benefits?

SSI Michigan

An applicant must earn 40 credits (work for ten years) to qualify for Michigan Social Security benefits. Fewer credits are necessary for a younger applicant to receive Social Security disability benefits or for family members to receive survivor benefits. As workers maintain employment and pay Social Security taxes, their credits accrue.

Workers earn a maximum of four credits per year; one credit for every $1,510 in earnings. Workers earn the maximum amount of credits once they’ve earned $6,040. A worker’s annual wages and self-employment income determine how quickly they earn credits. Some people may max out their credits rapidly, while others work all year to earn them.

Most workers usually have enough credits to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if they worked for five of the previous ten years.

What is the Difference Between SSDI and SSI?

Michigan social security

Understanding the difference between the two Social Security programs available to disabled individuals may be confusing. Our Michigan Social Security disability lawyers have dedicated years to protecting the rights of those seeking benefits through either of these programs:

SSDI benefits are entitlement programs employers, workers, and the self-employed pay for with the Social Security tax levied on their earnings. Benefit eligibility is based on an applicant’s work history (or a parent or spouse’s), while earnings determine the benefit amount.

SSD claim benefit types include Retirement, Survivor, and Disability (including blindness). 

Social Security Disability Insurance is also known as Social Security Disability (SSD) and Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI). 

SSDI Basics

  • Earnings determine benefits
  • No limit on income or resources
  • The minimum amount of work credits is required
  • Medicare
  • Benefits for eligible family members
  • Average lifetime earnings determine the benefit amount
  • Benefits not affected by other income (wages may affect retirement or disability benefits)

SSI is a needs-based program for individuals with limited resources (assets or things they own) and income. General tax revenues fund this program, and federal and state laws determine the benefit amount. The benefit amount an applicant receives considers their income, where they live, and who lives with them.

Beneficiaries include those aged 65 and older and adults and children of any age with a disability or blindness.

Eligibility for SSI is based on the following factors:

  • Household income within the income limit
  • Applicant has an impairment or serious illness that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 consecutive months or result in death
  • The impairment’s extent and nature
  • Applicant’s ability to engage in substantial gainful activity after the impairment began
  • The date of the disability

SSI Basics

  • Benefits are need-based
  • Limited income and resources
  • Work credits are not required
  • Medicaid
  • No family benefits
  • federal and state laws determine the benefit amount 
  • The benefit is affected by other income
  • Who lives with the applicant and where the applicant lives may affect benefits

What is a Disability? 

Michigan SSDI lawyers

Social Security defines a disability that qualifies for SSDI as: 

“… the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”

The agency also considers an applicant’s age, education, and previous work experience. If the applicant cannot perform other types of substantial gainful work after considering these factors, an applicant may have a qualifying disability.  

What is a “Medically Determinable Impairment?”

A medically determinable impairment results from an anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormality diagnosed with clinical and laboratory testing. The individual’s impairment must be established with medical evidence before the disability qualifies for benefits.

When Should I Apply For Benefits?

Michigan disability lawyers

If you suffer from a condition and have missed at least 30 days of work, you may apply for Social Security Disability benefits. As previously stated, your condition must also prevent you from working for at least 12 months, or you expect to miss at least 12 months of work.

Please reach out to a Michigan SSDI lawyer at Lipton Law for a free consultation. Our legal team has extensive experience with disability law and the approval process. Legal representation may make the difference between an application approved on the first try and a denial.  

How a Michigan Social Security Disability Lawyer Can Help

disability attorneys of Michigan

Social Security Disability benefits can be difficult to obtain. A Michigan disability lawyer can help you gather, organize and present the appropriate information to receive the Social Security benefits you deserve. Lipton Law’s qualified legal team guides you through the appeals process if your claim is already denied.

Social Security benefits are essential for many families’ survival. Disabled workers face a lack of income because of their disability, as well as a lack of health insurance. Often, claimants do not have insurance because their medical conditions prevent them from working. Social Security provides medical insurance benefits through the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  

Experienced Southfield Social Security Disability Lawyers

SSA denies more than 60% of disability applications. And many law firms won’t help you until you apply on your own and Social Security denies your claim. At Lipton Law, we help you through every step of the SSD application process. From filling out the initial application to receiving your benefits – our experienced Michigan disability attorneys ensure it’s done right! Call our Southfield office today at 248-557-1688 or contact us online to get started on your Social Security Disability claim. You won’t pay us anything unless we achieve a favorable outcome in your Social Security Disability case because we represent cases on a contingency fee basis. 

Lipton Law handles more than just Social Security law. Just read the successful outcomes our firm achieved for our clients. Our competent attorneys represent clients with various legal needs, including Michigan car accident, Michigan slip-and-fall claims, Michigan nursing home abuse, Michigan dog bite injury, and more.