Social Security Disability Lawyers in Traverse City

Injury Lawyers Helping Residents of Traverse City and Grand Rapids

People in Michigan who are unable to work because of a serious injury or illness for at least one year may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. This federal program gives certain qualifying individuals monthly payments. Social Security Disability may be lifesaving for disabled individuals, including people who are unable to recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit. However, only a small percentage of people who apply for SSD benefits are approved based on their first application. Legal representation by an experienced injury attorney may make a difference as to whether your claim is approved, both in the initial application stage and during the disability appeals process. At the Neumann Law Group, our Grand Rapids and Traverse City Social Security Disability attorneys may be able to help you seek the benefits that you need.

Pursuing Social Security Disability Benefits

You will need to meet certain requirements to be eligible for benefits. In addition to having a disability that lasts longer than a year or that will result in death, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes in the past. These benefits are not available to people who have partial or short-term disabilities. Moreover, you need to have accumulated enough credits that you are eligible for Social Security.

Credits are based on your income, and you may earn up to four credits each year, but the amount needed to get a credit changes annually. How many work credits you will need to qualify depends on your age. In most cases, you will need 40 credits, and 20 of those must be earned in the 10 years immediately prior to becoming disabled. If you are younger when you become disabled, fewer credits may be necessary.

Assuming that you meet the first step of not working due to your disability, the Social Security Administration will look at the severity of your condition to determine your eligibility for benefits. Many people are unable to obtain benefits because their condition is not considered severe enough. Severity in Social Security Disability matters depends on how much the disability affects your usual daily living and your ability to work. The disability needs to present such significant physical or mental limitations that it eliminates your ability to return to a former job. Our Social Security Disability lawyers can help Traverse City and Grand Rapids residents gather evidence and testimony to support this requirement.

If your condition is found to interfere with work-related activities, the Social Security Administration will look at whether your impairment is a listed condition. If you have a listed condition, there will be a finding that you are disabled. However, if you do not have a listed condition, the Social Security Administration will look at whether your condition interferes with your ability to do your previous job. If it does not, the claim will be denied, but if it does, the Social Security Administration will look at whether you are able to adjust to other work.

It will examine not only your medical condition to make this determination but also your past work experience, transferable skills, education, and age. When someone is not able to adjust to another job, they qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. However, if it is found that you could potentially adjust to other work, your claim will be denied.

Consult a Social Security Disability Attorney in Grand Rapids or Traverse City

It may be very challenging for disabled people in Michigan to get the benefits that they need. Our experienced Traverse City and Grand Rapids Social Security Disability lawyers are ready to assist you. Our firm also represents claimants in Detroit, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Flint, Petoskey, Warren, Holland, Muskegon, Midland, Kalamazoo, Wyoming, and Saginaw, as well as communities throughout the Upper Peninsula. Contact the Neumann Law Group at 800-525-NEUMANN or via our online form to set up a free appointment. We also can assist people who need a workers’ compensation lawyer or guidance in bringing a personal injury claim.