The Application Process Claimants file Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income claims with the Social Security Administration. You may call the Social Security Administration toll free at 1-800-772-1213 to file for disability benefits. The Initial Application Level After a claimant files a disability application with the Social Security Administration, the SSA transfers the claimant’s file to a state agency called the Michigan Disability Determination Service. The Disability Determination Service is responsible for gathering medical evidence, sending claimants to consultative examinations and ultimately making an initial determination as to whether a claimant meets the disability requirements. Initial determinations generally take 90 to 120 days. The majority of claims are denied at the initial application level. The Administrative Law Judge Hearing Claimants who are denied at the initial application stage may file a request for hearing by administrative law judge. A claimant must file the request for hearing by administrative law judge within 60 days of the Notice of Disapproved Claim. Depending on the Office of Hearings and Appeals to which a case is assigned, a claimant will generally wait for twelve to twenty four months for an administrative law judge hearing. When to Hire an Attorney Some attorneys decline to accept cases until a claimant has been denied or is awaiting an administrative law judge hearing. Attorney David S. Hankus accepts cases at each stage of the process. Mr. Hankus guides each of his clients through the application process, works to insure that his clients' claims are processed as quickly as possible and immediately appeals unfavorable initial decisions. |
