Steps to Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in Michigan
If you have been working regularly in Michigan, but have become disabled by a serious injury or illness, you may be able to obtain disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), a federal body. Note that federal disability benefits are available in every state in the U.S. and are not restricted to residents of any particular state.
There are important criteria the SSA uses to determine whether you are eligible for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits so it is important to know how to apply for Social Security disability benefits in Michigan.
The following show steps used to get disability benefits in Michigan.
Step 1: Determine whether you are eligible
To gain SSDI disability benefits in Michigan, the SSA must be provided with evidence that:
- you have sufficient work credits gained through your employment history to meet the criteria set by the SSA. Work credits are accumulated for each year you are employed and contribute to social security payments through your payroll tax.
- you have a disability that is severe enough to stop you from working for at least the next 12 months;
- your disability is recognized by the SSA according to the symptoms matching those in the SSA’s Blue Book;
- you have sufficient medical documentation, including your medical record, to show that you are suffering from a disability.
Step 2: Determine whether you have sufficient documentation to prove that you are eligible to receive disability benefits.
Before you apply for disability benefits in Michigan, you will need to make sure you have sufficient documentation to back up your claim for benefits. Typical documents which you will need to provide include:
- Identification, e.g. driver's license, passport;
- Social Security number;
- Proof of birth, e.g. birth certificate;
- Proof of US citizenship, permanent residence, or other lawful status in the U.S.;
- Military discharge papers if in military service before 1968;
- Evidence of employment history, e.g. W-2 forms, self-employment tax returns;
- Medical records including diagnosis of disability, tests, scans, and x-rays used to document the progress and status of your disability;
- Adult Disability Report.
A common reason for rejecting a disability benefits application is because the information supplied to the SSA’s assessors is incomplete or inaccurate. It is better to ensure documentation is complete before you apply for a benefit than having to resort to an appeal after a denied application.
Step 3: Make an application for disability benefits
There are two main ways to make an application for disability benefits. These are:
- online – following the instructions on the SSA’s website;
- in person – at a local Social Security office. You don’t need to book an appointment, but must be prepared in advance with documentation, etc.
You can also ring the SSA or visit an office in person for initial advice before you commit to making an application.
Applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Michigan
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is another federal disability benefits program that is available to people with serious disabilities who are unable to work or continue working for at least 12 months but do not have the work history necessary to apply for SSDI benefits. SSI is assets and income tested, so is only available if the applicant meets the SSA’s criteria for these.
Michigan State Disability Assistance (SDA) Program Details
Michigan’s own state disability assistance program (SDA) is available as a supplement to federal SSI payments. Eligibility requirements are assessed before an application for SDA can be assessed. To be eligible you must:
- be a resident of Michigan;
- have a disability as recognized by the SSA;
- have assets less than the SDA limit (currently $15,000);
- be receiving SSI but can show that you are in need of a cash supplement.
If SDA benefits are approved, the amount of payment as a supplement to SSI is dependent on overall income (i.e. SSI plus any other income) and is paid quarterly. Carers of SSI recipients living in the same home may also be eligible for SDA payments.
Filling Out Michigan Disability Forms
You can apply for Michigan SDA online following the step-by-step instructions on the MI Bridges website or in person by visiting your nearest Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) office.
Much of the information needed to fill in a SDA application form will be the same as for SSI, so if you have already been through that process and have had your SSI application approved, or at least accepted up to the stage where it is passed on to Disability Determination Services (DDS) assessment, then you should be able to use the same information for your SDA application.
Tips for a Successful Application
Tip#1 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t miss gaps in the information requested.
- Don’t provide inaccurate or dishonest information about your medical condition.
- Don’t apply too early after a disability first develops or the SSA may think you don’t have proof that you cannot continue working for at least 12 months.
- Don’t leave applying too late as it may make medical documentation out of date or reduce backpay.
- Be precise about the impact of the disability on your everyday life.
Tip#2 Gathering Supporting Evidence
The SSA must have up-to-date information about your medical condition and more specifically the nature and symptoms of your disability, how it developed, what treatment has been provided, prognosis, and current treatment. If you complete the SSA’s Disability Form (SSA-3368-BK), you can give permission for the SSA’s examiners to contact your health providers directly about your medical records. You will still need to give names, addresses, and contact details for all health providers who have dealt with your condition.
Alternatively, you can provide as much documentation as you have already obtained from your health providers. If you have missed any details, you will need to contact the provider directly and ask them to send you the missing documentation.
Tip#3 Following up on your disability benefits application
You can review the status of your SSDI or SSI application on your “my Social Security account” if you have one, giving details of when you made the application. You can create an account if you don’t have one. You can also ring the SSA directly toll-free on 1-800-772-1213, Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm, or visit your local Social Security office in person.
Next Steps to Take
Find out if you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits using the free form available here.
