Social Security Disability Insurance is a payroll tax-funded insurance program designed to provide income to people who are unable to work because of a disabling impairment.

You must have worked and paid into the program (payroll taxes) for five of the last 10 years. You also must have been disabled before reaching full-retirement age (65-67) and you must meet Social Security's definition of “disabled.”

That depends on your age, education and past work history. Generally, it's being unable to work due to a mental or physical impairment that has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least 12 months.

Yes, it can be. The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies the vast majority of initial disability claims.  The average length of time to receive benefits can typically take two to three years. However, 98 percent of the people who complete the SSDI process with us receive awards, and usually get through the process months faster than the national average.

No, you can apply on your own. However, a good lawyer can dramatically improve—and speed up —your chances of being approved. We have decades of disability benefits experience. 

The hearing level (second appeal) is before an Administrative Law Judge.  This can take another eight to twelve months.  By comparison, the people we represent usually receive an award months faster than the national average.

Generally, it takes an average of four to six months for the initial decision. Reconsideration (first appeal) will take another three to five months on average.

That depends on the amount of your past earnings that have been subjected to FICA taxes. The maximum monthly benefit for an individual in 2024 is $3,822.

You can lose your disability benefits if your condition improves to the point that you no longer meet the SSAs definition of "disabled" Or you return to work full time for too long. The SSA must show there has been medical improvement related to your ability to work before they can cease your SSDI benefits.

Children up to age 18 (or 19 who have not graduated from high school) are entitled to “auxiliary” benefits if a parent is disabled. 

Visit our website at www.800lawmich.com or the SSA website at www.ssa.gov.