SSDI Attorney Guide: Appeals in Michigan, MI

Introduction: Facing an SSDI Denial in Michigan

Every year thousands of Michiganders apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) hoping to secure the benefits they have earned through years of payroll contributions. According to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) 2023 OASDI Fact Sheet, more than 292,000 disabled workers in Michigan currently receive SSDI payments, yet many initial claims are denied. The denial rate nationwide hovers around 65% at the initial application stage. When you open a letter from the SSA in your Detroit, Grand Rapids, or Marquette mailbox and see the word "Denied," it can feel devastating. However, a denial is not the end of the road. Federal regulations give Michigan residents multiple opportunities to appeal and present additional evidence. This guide explains your rights, common denial reasons, critical deadlines, and local resources—slightly favoring the claimant’s perspective while strictly adhering to authoritative sources.

Understanding Your SSDI Rights

What SSDI Provides

SSDI is a federal insurance program authorized under 42 U.S.C. § 423. It pays monthly cash benefits to workers who have accumulated sufficient work credits and can no longer engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of a medically determinable impairment expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Michigan residents pay FICA taxes throughout their careers, earning these rights just like any other type of insurance.

The Sequential Evaluation Process

The SSA follows a five-step “sequential evaluation” codified at 20 C.F.R. § 404.1520. Examiners ask:

• Are you currently engaged in SGA (earning more than $1,550/month in 2024)?

• Is your condition “severe” under SSA standards?

• Does it meet a listed impairment in Appendix 1 of Subpart P, Part 404?

• Can you perform past relevant work?

• Can you adjust to other work in the national economy considering age, education, and residual functional capacity (RFC)?

If the agency answers “No” or “Yes” appropriately at any step favoring you, the analysis ends and benefits are awarded. Understanding these steps helps claimants and attorneys focus the appeal on why the decision was incorrect.

Common Reasons SSA Denies SSDI Claims

While every case is unique, Michigan claimants most often see the following rationales in denial letters:

• Insufficient medical evidence. Treatment records from Henry Ford Health System or Spectrum Health may not have been forwarded timely, leaving gaps.

• Earnings above SGA. Gig-economy jobs in Detroit or Ann Arbor can unintentionally push income over SGA limits.

• Failure to follow prescribed treatment. Non-compliance with medication or physical therapy documented in University of Michigan Health charts can undermine credibility.

• Duration requirement not met. Acute injuries expected to heal within 12 months rarely satisfy 20 C.F.R. § 404.1509.

• Administrative errors. Missing work history or misfiled forms at the SSA’s Detroit Mid-America Program Service Center can lead to wrongful denials.

Identifying the specific grounds allows an attorney to gather additional medical opinions, vocational expert statements, or wage evidence to rebut the SSA’s findings.

Federal Legal Protections & Regulations

Key Statutes and Regulations

• Social Security Act § 205(b) (42 U.S.C. § 405(b)) guarantees the right to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).

• 20 C.F.R. § 404.900 outlines the four-tier administrative review process: Reconsideration, ALJ Hearing, Appeals Council Review, and Federal Court.

• 20 C.F.R. § 404.1512 places the primary burden on claimants to provide medical evidence but also obligates the SSA to assist.

Appeal Deadlines

Strict time limits apply at every step:

Appeal LevelDeadlineCitation

Request for Reconsideration60 days + 5 mailing20 C.F.R. § 404.909 Request ALJ Hearing60 days + 520 C.F.R. § 404.933 Appeals Council Review60 days + 520 C.F.R. § 404.968 Federal District Court60 days + 542 U.S.C. § 405(g)

Missing these deadlines generally forfeits your claim unless you show “good cause,” such as hospitalization at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing or postal delays documented by USPS receipts.

Steps to Take After an SSDI Denial

1. Read the Notice of Disapproved Claim

Examine the rationale section and the “technical” versus “medical” reasons for denial. Highlight missing exhibits or inaccurate earnings records. Michigan claimants often discover the SSA failed to request imaging studies from Beaumont Health or misclassified seasonal work at a Traverse City cherry farm as full-time employment.

2. File a Timely Request for Reconsideration

Using SSA-561 and the accompanying Disability Report – Appeal (Form SSA-3441), detail new medical visits and attach updated laboratory results or MRI scans. File online through your my Social Security account or mail forms via certified mail to the Detroit Program Service Center, P.O. Box 17769, Detroit, MI 48219.

3. Continue Medical Treatment

Judges weigh longitudinal treatment heavily. Regular follow-ups at McLaren Health facilities not only improve health outcomes but also create contemporaneous records supporting functional limitations.

4. Prepare for an ALJ Hearing

If reconsideration is denied, request a hearing through SSA-501. Michigan hearings are typically scheduled at:

• Detroit Hearing Office: 477 Michigan Ave., Room 1530, Detroit, MI 48226

• Grand Rapids Hearing Office: 1925 Breton Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

• Lansing Hearing Office: 5210 Perry Robinson Circle, Lansing, MI 48911

Video hearings are increasingly common, allowing claimants in the Upper Peninsula to testify from the Marquette Field Office.

5. Secure Written Opinions

Obtain detailed RFC letters from treating physicians, ideally addressing postural limitations, time off-task, and absenteeism projections. Under the Treating Physician Rule (for claims filed before March 27, 2017) or the “supportability” and “consistency” factors (for newer claims), well-reasoned opinions carry significant weight.

6. Consider Vocational Expert Evidence

Michigan job markets may differ from national data. A vocational expert can testify that no light-exertion jobs exist statewide for an individual limited to sit/stand options every 10 minutes, undermining the SSA’s Grids findings (20 C.F.R. Pt 404, Subpt P, App 2).

When to Seek Legal Help for SSDI Appeals

Although claimants may represent themselves, data from the SSA Office of Hearings Operations shows that represented claimants are nearly twice as likely to win benefits at the ALJ stage. Michigan attorneys must be licensed by the State Bar of Michigan and also qualify under 42 U.S.C. § 406 to receive fee approval from the SSA (25% of back pay, capped at $7,200 in 2024). Experienced counsel:

• Elicits persuasive testimony and cross-examines vocational experts.

• Ensures the hearing record is fully developed—critical if you later appeal to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern or Western District of Michigan.

• Tracks overlapping workers’ compensation offsets under Michigan’s Workers’ Disability Compensation Act.

Local Resources & Next Steps

Michigan SSA Field Offices

• Detroit Field Office: 477 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48226 • Phone: 800-772-1213

• Grand Rapids Field Office: 3045 Knapp St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 • Phone: 800-772-1213

• Marquette Field Office: 300 S. Front St., Ste 1, Marquette, MI 49855 • Phone: 800-772-1213

Disability Determination Services (DDS)

Michigan DDS, located in Lansing (3038 W. Grand Blvd., Suite 4-400), handles medical determinations at the initial and reconsideration levels. Forwarding new evidence there expedites review.

Support Organizations

Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service – Free legal resources for disabled residents Michigan 2-1-1 – Connects claimants to transportation and housing assistance SSA Appeals Information – Official forms and deadlines

Conclusion

An SSDI denial in Michigan is frustrating but far from final. Knowing your statutory rights, adhering to appeal deadlines, and leveraging local medical and legal resources greatly improve your odds. Whether you live in Detroit’s Midtown, Kalamazoo, or the shores of Lake Superior, the appeals process is federally guaranteed and designed to correct errors. A knowledgeable Michigan disability attorney can help assemble compelling medical evidence, develop legal arguments under 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.900 and 404.1520, and advocate for you at every stage.

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information only. It is not legal advice. For advice on your specific case, consult a licensed Michigan attorney.

If your SSDI claim was denied, call Louis Law Group at 833-657-4812 for a free case evaluation and claim review.