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. Social Security Disability Claim Denials Are Commonplace, So Don’t Panic > Back To Top 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. Social Security Advocate VS an Attorney: What is the Difference? > Back To Top 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 > Back To Top 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. The Impact of Michigan Law on Social Security Disability > Back To Top 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.
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