Flint Social Security Attorney
Flint, Michigan is home to thousands of hard-working taxpayers. These individuals often struggle to make ends meet, living from paycheck to paycheck. These workers rely on these paychecks to cover their basic living expenses. Unfortunately, in the case of a long-term or permanent disability, these paychecks can suddenly stop. In cases like these, the Social Security Administration is supposed to step up to the plate with Social Security Disability benefits. The truth is, it can be a battle for a Flint taxpayer to get the disability benefits they are entitled to. If you are now facing a long-term or permanent disabling condition and are in need of Social Security Disability benefits, the following information will help you understand how the disability claim process works and why hiring a Flint Social Security Disability attorney may be crucial to the success of your disability case.
Despite the hardships that Flint's economy has struggled with over the past years, the financial situation is looking up and the city is getting by. Over the years Flint's primary economic player has been the automotive industry, which has recently seen a lot of set backs. However, the per-capita income in Flint still manages to stay at the $53,000 mark. In 2009, efforts were made to improve the economic climate of Flint and five new businesses set up shop in the city, generating 120 new jobs and $9.5 million in new investment. Currently some of the top employers in Flint include General Motors, Flint Metal Center, Citizens Bank, Mclaren Regional Medical Center and Consumers Energy Company.
Applying for Flint Social Security Disability Benefits
Flint, Michigan is home to just over 102,000 residents, making it the state's seventh-largest city. Approximately 4.8 percent of the population receive Social Security Disability benefits. The average monthly Social Security Disability payment in the state is $1,121.80. Unfortunately, it can take many Flint disability applicants more than two years before they ever see their first disability payment.
Many of the disabled Flint workers who apply for Social Security Disability benefits assume that they will be awarded benefits in just a few short months. While it is possible to have an initial claim for disability benefits approved that quickly, it is the exception and not the rule. In fact, nearly 70 percent of applications are denied disability during the initial stage of the claim process, resulting in the need for a disability appeal.
Most Flint applicants who need to pursue a disability appeal will go through two different appeal stages. The first stage of appeals is referred to as a Request for Reconsideration. While this appeal stage takes an average of four months to complete, more than 80 percent of these appeals are also denied. This results in the need for a disability hearing before an administrative law judge. In the Flint area, disability applicants will wait an average of sixteen months before this hearing can be scheduled.
Why does it take sixteen months for a Flint disability applicant to obtain a hearing before an administrative law judge? The reason for the extensive wait time is due to the high number of disability appeals that are backlogged in the Social Security appeal process. If you want to avoid the appeal process and increase your chances of being awarded benefits during the initial stage of the disability claim process, you should consult with a Flint Social Security Disability lawyer before filing your claim.
Hiring a Flint Disability Attorney
When you work with a Flint Social Security attorney, your lawyer will review your disability claim with you. If he or she thinks there are weak spots in your claim, they will help you strengthen your case and gather the evidence that will be needed to prove your disability to the Social Security Administration. Your Flint Social Security lawyer will also help you prepare your application and submit it to the SSA in a way that will help the adjudicator who reviews your file understand the severity of your disability and why you are unable to perform any type of work activity. This will increase your chances of receiving benefits during the initial stage of the Social Security Disability claim process. If, for some reason, your application is still denied, your Flint disability attorney can help you through each stage of the disability appeal process.
If you are worried that you will be unable to afford the services of a Flint disability lawyer, you can rest assured that quality legal services are affordable to almost all Social Security Disability applicants. Flint Social Security Disability attorneys work on a contingency basis, collecting 25 percent of the back pay that you are awarded by the Social Security Administration, up to a maximum amount of $6,000. If you do not win your Social Security Disability case, your lawyer does not receive a fee.
If you are interested in obtaining an evaluation of your Social Security Disability case, click here for your free Social Security Disability evaluation and to get more information about hiring a Flint Social Security Disability lawyer to represent you in your disability claim.
A Flint Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Genesee County, Tuscola County, Lapeer County, Oakland County, Livingston County, Shiawassee County, and Saginaw County: Burton, Grand Blanc, Davison, Mt. Morris, Beecher, Flushing, Durand, New Lothrop, Corunna, Owasso, Waterford, Pontiac, Brighton, Saginaw, and Imlay City.
