Grand Rapids Social Security Attorney or Advocate

Grand Rapids, Michigan, located in Kent County, is home to numerous qualified Social Security Disability attorneys and advocates. If you or a loved one can no longer hold a job because of a disability, a Grand Rapids attorney can help get you the benefits you need to ensure your financial stability.

At present, the Grand Rapids hearing office has 5,222 pending cases and a processing time of 450 days. Although these numbers suggest that applicants have to wait long periods of time for a decision on their initial application, many residents of Kent County find Social Security Disability benefits to be worth waiting for. In December 2011, 17,330 Kent County residents received SSDI while 14,670 others received SSI.

To learn which disability program works best for you, click here.

If you plan on applying for disability benefits, you can begin by filling out an application online or by scheduling an appointment at one of the following Social Security offices:

50 College Ave, SEM
2nd Floor
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Telephone: 1-616-742-2373

657 Hastings Ave
Holland, MI 49423
Telephone: 1-616-392-4404

For more info on qualifying for disability in Michigan, see How To Qualify For Disability In Michigan.

Consulting with a Grand Rapids Social Security Disability Attorney

Navigating the Social Security Disability application can be complicated and confusing. The best way to ensure that you follow the correct procedures is to hire an attorney or Social Security disability advocates to walk you through the process.

Learn about the benefits of hiring an attorney, here.

A Grand Rapids Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Kent County, Ottowa County, Muskegon County, Newaygo County, Mecosta, Montcalm, Ionia County, Allegan County, and Barry County: Forest Hills, Cascase, Northview, Comstock Park, Walker, Wyoming, Georgetown, Grandville, Jenison, Kentwood, Cutlerville, Comstock Park, Northview, Rockford, Lowell, Walker, Cedar Springs, and Sparta.

Contact the Grand Rapids Bar Association for more information about the attorneys in your area:

Grand Rapids Bar Association
161 Ottawa Ave. NW Ste. 203-B
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

To speak with a local disability attorney or advocate, fill out a free disability review today.

Grand Rapids Disability Hearings

If an application is denied during the initial application and reconsideration stages, the applicant must schedule an appeal hearing to be held at the Grand Rapids Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).

After working with Social Security Disability cases for some time, an experienced lawyer will often become familiar with the administrative law judges who hear cases in his or her local ODAR. Below you will find more information about the judges who hear disability claims in the Grand Rapids hearing office:

ALJApproval Rate
Condon, Michael S.34.40%
Grit, Donna J.37.63%
Harmon, Cynthia S.36.59%
Himebaugh, Kevin56.18%
Johnson, Douglas W.59.35%
Kurtz, David37.21%
Ohanesian, Nicholas M.45.24%
Raterink, Dennis48.57%
Smisek, Sarah R.48.57%

*Data from http://www.ssa.gov/appeals/DataSets/03_ALJ_Disposition_Data.html

Social Security Disability appeal hearings can take months to be scheduled. If you are facing an extreme financial or medical emergency and cannot wait until your scheduled hearing date, you can contact your local congressperson to expedite your hearing. He or she has the power to intervene with the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review on your behalf.

110 Michigan St NW, Suite 460
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 451-8383
Fax: (616) 454-5630

For a free legal consultation with a Grand Rapids Social Security attorney or advocate, fill out the following form.

Here is more information on hiring a social security attorney in other cities in Michigan:

Anyone living in Grand Rapids can apply for SSI (or SSDI) at their closest Social Security office in Michigan.

Find Out If I Qualify for Benefits!