What Are My Disability Rights?

When a disability or mental impairment prevents you from working and earning a living wage, you might be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a social program that provides financial benefits which often prove critical in helping recipients navigate their recoveries and lives. SSDI benefits are crucial to those who need them, but the process of applying and being approved for benefits can be difficult. Fortunately, you have rights during the process, and an experienced attorney can help you protect those rights as you pursue the benefits you need.

Goodman Acker P.C. is Detroit’s Trusted Law Firm, and our Social Security attorneys have helped numerous men, women, and families across Michigan protect their rights when navigating the SSDI application process and securing much-needed benefits. Because we focus on personalized service and support, we work diligently to educate our clients about their rights, available options, and how we work to advocate on their behalves.

Whether an applicant has a physical disability or mental impairment, they have rights provided to them by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Some of the most important rights include:

• Applying – Individuals who apply for SSDI benefits have rights when they apply that ensure they can receive the documents and support they need from the Social Security Administration. Applicants also have the right to have the help of an interpreter if completing the application in English proves difficult, at no cost. When applying, you will also have the right to obtain copies of information contained in your records, and to receive assistance with obtaining medical documents.
• Decision – You have a right to be notified via letter about the Social Security Administration’s determination regarding the nature of your disability, your benefits, how much the SSA will provide you, as well as copies of any regulations, policies, or laws used when deciding your claim.
• Appeal – Appeals are notoriously common when it comes to SSDI claims, with more than half of all claims being denied during the initial application stage. When you receive a determination you do not agree with, either in relation to your disability rating or your benefits, you have a right to file an appeal for reconsideration. Should that appeal be turned down, you have further rights to request a hearing by an administrative law judge and an Appeal Disability, appeal to the Appeal Council for a review of the decision made by the administrative law judge during your hearing and, if necessary, file suit in federal court. Because denial rates during the appeal process are even higher than those during initial applications (over 80%) working with a lawyer is important.
• A Lawyer – The SSDI process is complex, lengthy, and surrounded by regulations and laws. It is your right to have legal representation when navigating the process, which can make the difference in your claim, your ability to avoid common mistakes, and your chances of securing the benefits you need. Legal representation is critical during both the application and appeal process, and statistics show that having a lawyer by your side when applying for SSDI can greatly reduce the risk of denial.

The most important thing you can do to protect your Social Security disability rights is to work with proven lawyers who know them inside and out. Our legal team at Goodman Acker has over 75 years of combined experience, as well as insight into the SSDI process accumulated through years of working personally with real men and women who faced all types of challenges and concerns. As a result of our commitment to their needs and their futures, we have been able to consistently produce the outcomes our clients deserved.

Learn more about your rights and unique disability claim when you speak with a Detroit disability attorney from Goodman Acker. Contact us today for a FREE consultation.