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How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits? - Detroit Injury Lawyer
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How Do I Apply for Disability Benefits?

 

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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is the social safety net that can make the difference for individuals who are unable to engage in substantial gain activity and earn an income due to a physical disability or mental impairment. Because SSDI is essential to providing the financial support people need when recovering from a temporary disability or when navigating the challenges of permanent impairment, it becomes critical that anyone pursuing disability benefits understand the application process, their rights, and how working with the right lawyer can help them effectively complete the process.

At Goodman Acker P.C., our Detroit Social Security disability lawyers have helped numerous men and women throughout Michigan successfully apply for the benefits they needed. Because of our extensive experience, familiarity with the process, and understanding of the elements that can create strong applications, we help ensure victims have proven support and counsel when applying and the representation to handle any issues or challenges along the way.

When initiating the SSDI application process, it is important to understand that it can be lengthy and filled with strict standards and requirements. Ultimately, a high percentage of applications are denied. In fact, current denial rates during the initial application stage exceed 60% - over half of all claims are denied! During appeals, the denial rate increases to over 80%.

When it comes to applying for disability benefits, your first steps should be to contact the Social Security department of Goodman Acker to evaluate your potential claim. Our team will advise you of the benefits you might be eligible for, and will provide information about what you can expect given the current climate of the Social Security process. At this time, applications can be filed in one of three ways:

  1. In-person at your local Social Security office

  2. Through a phone interview

  3. Online (only SSDI applications are currently being accepted online; SSI applications may be accepted this way in the future)


Applying for SSDI benefits is a long process that can last months, which is much longer than other types of Social Security claims. Because there is such a lengthy backlog, ensuring that the information you provide is as robust and effective as possible is crucial to the outcome. Once an application is submitted, it will be reviewed by a state agency, which may also ask you complete a medical examination before a decision is issued. Unfortunately, the complexity of the process and the application results in many denied claims.

Denial rates, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA) are conspicuously high because many applicants simply don’t provide the information and documentation required by the selective process. This includes insufficient medical documentation and inadequate information about work history. A substantial amount of denials also result from problems that arise when applicants are unfamiliar with the application process and unaware of the necessary procedures involved.

By having a proven SSD lawyer by your side during the application process, you can not only become better acquainted with your rights and options, but also obtain the support of advocates who work tirelessly to guide you step-by-step through the process, ensure accuracy and evidence in your application, and fight for the benefits you deserve. Our firm understands that our clients often depend on receiving these benefits, and we take their cases and trust in our team personally.

If you have questions about applying for SSD or wish to discuss how a Detroit attorney from Goodman Acker can help you, do not hesitate to contact us for a FREE consultation. See what over 75 years of combined experience can do for you.

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