Anyone in Michigan who can’t work any longer because of a disability can apply for SSDI in Michigan. If you have a disability and can’t work, but you have worked before, you can apply for Social Security disability benefits or SSDI. Disability benefits are paid by the Social Security Administration to people who can’t work any longer because they have a serious illness or disability.
SSDI Eligibility Criteria in Michigan
The Social Security Administration has strict requirements that anyone applying for SSDI in Michigan must meet. Before your application for SSDI in Michigan will be approved you must submit evidence that you meet all of these requirements:
Medical Disability Requirements
The first requirement that you must meet when you apply for SSDI in Michigan is that you must have a condition that is listed in the SSA’s Blue Book. You also must meet all of the requirements for that condition that are listed in the Blue Book.
You can search the Blue Book online on the SSA’s website, or you can view a hard copy at any SSA office in Michigan. There are more than 200 medical conditions in the Blue Book that qualify someone to receive SSDI.
When you apply for SSDI in Michigan you will have to submit as much medical evidence as you can that shows you meet the SSA’s requirements and shows how exactly your condition makes it impossible for you to work.
The SSA will look at factors like your age, your education, past work experience, and the severity of your condition to decide if you are really not able to do any kind of work. When the SSA is evaluating whether a condition meets its criteria for disability in Michigan it will look at all the evidence you submit, so submit as much evidence as possible.
Work Requirements
The SSA also has work requirements that you must meet in order to be approved for SSDI in Michigan. You must have been out of work for at least 12 months before you can apply for SSDI in Michigan. You also must have earned enough work credits to qualify for SSDI.
Work credits are based on how much money you’ve paid into Social Security through taxes. You can earn up to four work credits per year that you work. Work credits in Michigan are calculated the same way that they are calculated in other states. They are based on the amount that you are paid and the number of hours that you work.
Work credit requirements are different by age in Michigan. The work credit requirements by age in Michigan are:
- Under Age 24: 6 work credits, or about 1.5 years of work.
- Ages 24-30: You need to have earned credits for half the time between age 21 and the age you become disabled. For example: If you become disabled at age 27, you need 12 work credits or 3 years of work.
- Ages 31 and Older: You typically need 20 work credits earned in the last 10 years prior to your disability. However, the total number of credits required increases with age. Here’s a general guideline:
- Age 31-42: 20 credits (5 years of work)
- Age 43-54: 24 credits (6 years of work)
- Age 55-64: 28 credits (7 years of work)
- Age 65 and older: 40 credits (10 years of work)
Financial Requirements
There are also financial requirements set by the SSA that apply to anyone receiving SSDI. SSDI is for people who are unable to engage in “substantial gainful activity”, or work. So the SSA has set these financial requirements for anyone applying for SSDI:
- Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): In 2023, if you earn more than $1,470 per month (or $2,460 for blind individuals), it is generally considered "substantial" and may disqualify you from receiving SSDI benefits.
- Trial Work Period: SSDI recipients can test their ability to work while still receiving benefits. During a trial work period, you can earn up to $1,050 per month for nine months without affecting your benefits.
- Work Incentives: After the trial work period, you may still receive benefits for a period while earning above the SGA limit, thanks to work incentives designed to support your transition back to work.
State-Specific Eligibility Rules
There are no state-specific eligibility rules for applying for SSDI in Michigan. Michigan uses the Federal SSA standards for SSDI eligibility.
SSDI Benefits in Michigan
The monthly benefit payment amount for SSDI that you receive is carefully calculated by the SSA. The process for calculating the amount of money that you will receive from the SSA for SSDI is based on your earnings history.
The SSA will take your average indexed monthly earnings, (AIME), which is your average earnings over your working years adjusted for inflation. The Social Security Administration uses this to calculate your benefits as part of the PIA formula.
Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) Formula
The PIA is the base amount used to calculate SSDI benefits. In 2024, the formula used to calculate the PIA is:
90% of the first $1,370 of your AIME,
32% of your AIME over $1,370 and up to $8,194, and
15% of your AIME over $8,194.
The maximum SSDI benefit in 2024 is approximately $3,627 per month. The average SSDI payment in Michigan is $1,508.94.
Healthcare Benefits
SSDI recipients in Michigan may qualify for Medicare after two years of receiving SSDI. They may also qualify for Medicaid immediately through the state of Michigan.
Other State-Specific Benefits
If you are receiving SSDI in Michigan you may also be eligible for:
- SNAP benefits
- Section 8 housing vouchers
- Discounted transportation
- HEAP or other programs to help with utility costs
- Property tax exemptions
- Proof of identity
- Medical records
- Work history
- Financial Records
- Social Security number
Applying for SSDI in Michigan
When you apply for SSDI in Michigan the first step is making sure that you know when all the deadlines are that you must meet. Then, you have to make sure that you have all the medical evidence to prove that you meet the Blue Book requirements for the condition that you have. You can also include supporting documentation like letters from your doctors.
When you are ready to apply you can apply online, over the phone, or in person at your local SSA office in Michigan.
Documents Needed for Application
You will also need to submit these documents with your application:
- Proof of identity
- Medical records
- Work history
- Financial Records
- Social Security number
Application Timeline
It can take 3-6 months, or longer, to receive a decision on an SSDI application in Michigan. If your initial application is denied, you can file an appeal.
Appeals Process for Denied SSDI Applications in Michigan
It’s very common for an SSDI application to be denied. If your application for SSDI in Michigan is denied you will be given a form to send in to ask for reconsideration. If your reconsideration is denied, you can ask for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. And if that is denied you can ask for a hearing before the Appeals Council. You can even file a lawsuit in Federal court as a last resort.
How Long Does the Appeals Process Take?
Reconsideration typically takes 1-3 months. But, if your reconsideration is denied the next appeal could take six months to a year. And the more appeals you need to file the longer each one takes. To speed up the process make sure that you meet all requested deadlines.
Resources for SSDI Applicants in Michigan
Some resources and agencies that can help you apply for SSDI in Michigan are:
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
- Social Security Administration (SSA)
- Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM)
- Michigan Advocacy Program (MAP)
- Disability Network
- The Arc Michigan
- Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service (MPAS)
Working with a Michigan SSI Lawyer
Working with an SSDI lawyer from Michigan can raise your chances of getting your application approved. A Michigan SSDI lawyer can help you with things like:
- Meeting deadlines
- Understanding the application
- Gathering medical evidence
- Filling out the application
- Filing appeals
Fill out the Free Case Evaluation now to get connected with a Michigan SSDI lawyer who can help you with your Michigan SSDI application.
