Cochran, Foley & Associates, Social Security Disability Help
The Social Security Administration pays benefits to persons who cannot
work because of a medical condition or catastrophic injury that is expected to last
at least one year.
The two benefits paid are Social Security Disability (SSD)
payments for all qualified disabled persons and Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) payments for qualified disabled individuals who are at lower income levels.
Accident victims or other persons who are suffering from a catastrophic
illness may qualify for financial support from Social Security Disability as well. Anyone
whose injury prevents them from working and whose disability is expected to last for
one year may be eligible for Social Security benefits.
Application for benefits should be made as soon as possible after
becoming disabled because it can take at least three to five months just to process
the application and longer for a decision to be made. The decision to approve or deny
is made by the Disability Determination Services agency in Michigan.
Almost 70 percent of all Social Security Disability and
Supplemental Security Income claims, however, are denied upon initial application,
says Terry Cochran, senior partner of Cochran, Foley & Associates, P.C., Livonia,
and to increase the chance of being approved for what is rightfully yours all applicants
should contact an attorney as soon as they are denied.
“If you have applied for Social Security Disability or Supplemental
Security Income and have been denied you should immediately call our office at 800-322-5543
for a free consultation to insure your appeal is filed in a timely manner and that it
meets procedural and legal requirements,” stresses Cochran.
Anyone who believes they might qualify for Social Security Disability
or Supplemental Security Income should go to
www.socialsecurity.gov to review requirements,
use the eligibility screening tool, and to apply online. There is no need to hire
an attorney unless your application is denied.
Some applicants make the choice to work with an advocate rather than
an attorney. An attorney, however, is better qualified to work on your behalf at an
Social Security Disability hearing because an attorney possesses the training
and knowledge needed to have the necessary proofs met at the time of trial. Medical
records and depositions must be submitted properly to the administrative law judge to
be admitted. Otherwise the judge might not admit important information that is paramount
to winning a claim. Even better is an attorney from Michigan specializing in disability
appeals such as Cochran, Foley & Associates.
No fee is collected unless your social security disability claim
is won. Fees are only collected after you are paid by the Social Security Administration
and that fee is based upon a certain amount which has been set by law.
An applicant living in Michigan who is denied Social Security
Disability or Supplemental Security Income especially needs an attorney from
Michigan because of Michigan No Fault Law and because medical insurance coverage cannot
be made part of a workman’s comp settlement.
Also, victims collecting Social Security Disability who are
eligible for Medicare will be required to establish a Set Aside Trust for future medical
expenses.
Victims eligible for Social Security Disability or Supplemental
Security Income very likely also qualify for workman’s comp benefits but often some
funds in a workman’s comp award have to be paid back to Social Security. An attorney
will advise clients on the best way to satisfy this pay-back requirement.
An attorney who specializes in Social Security Disability
or Supplemental Security Income cases in Michigan is best suited to walk clients
through the legal maze of establishing a Set Aside Trust and paybacks to Social Security
when required. Failure to meet either of these requirements will be financially disastrous
for victims.
When denied, the victim must file an appeal within 60 days. A hearing
before an administrative law judge is then scheduled within a short period of time.
The presiding judge will review medical records submitted to determine eligibility.
Usually only the victim testifies.
An attorney will prepare the victim to testify and make sure that
the medical records the judge needs are submitted by the hearing date.
Your Cochran Foley attorney representing you for workman’s comp and
Social Security Disability benefits will also arrange for your comp award to
be distributed in pro-rated monthly payments, based on Michigan life expectancy tables,
to minimize and soften the impact of paybacks to Social Security.
Although workman’s comp and Social Security Disability claims
go hand in hand, there is no assurance that approval of one benefit will logically lead
to approval of the other. It is common that a victim might be approved for Social Security
Disability payments but denied a claim for workman’s comp, or vice versa.
The Social Security Administration
Bases Its Decision On These Criteria: > Back To Top
Are you working?
Is your medical condition severe?
Is your medical condition on the state agency List of Impairments?
Because of Cochran, Foley’s vast experience in personal injury and
medical malpractice litigation we can be of crucial importance in the success of an
appeal because we understand how to present evidence on disabilities and explain why
they prevent employment.
Contact us as soon as you are denied Social Security Disability
or Supplemental Security Income benefits and use our expertise in appealing adverse
decisions and receiving the payments to which you and your family are entitled.
Free Social Security Disability Case Evaluation > Back To Top
If you believe you are a victim, let Cochran, Foley & Associates
fight for your rights. There is no obligation for case evaluation and no fee is charged
unless a recovery is made. Click here for a free consultation
or call 800-322-5543 and ask for Terry Cochran or Lynn Foley.
Call The Social Security Disability Lawyers in Michigan > Back To Top
The Law Offices of Cochran, Foley & Associates, P.C. is dedicated
to representing individuals and families who have suffered catastrophic losses as a
result of injuries, disabilities and death. The firm does not represent insurance companies
or corporations but instead bases its practice upon representing individuals and families.
Call 800-322-5543 for a free case evaluation.
Social Security Disability Attorney Michigan, SSD, SSI, Supplemental Security
Income, Social Security Disability Claim,
Social Security Advocate, Social Security Disability Lawyers in Michigan
