Social Security Disability Attorneys in Detroit, MI

Thousands of Detroit residents are denied Social Security disability benefits on their first application. A Michigan-licensed disability attorney serving Detroit will review your denial and appeal options for free.

Free to use — no fee unless you win
Matched with a Michigan attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free Detroit social security disability case review

A Michigan attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

By submitting, you agree that DearLegal and the attorneys or law firms we connect you with may contact you by phone and email about your inquiry, including by automated technology.

DearLegal is not a law firm and will not provide legal advice. DearLegal connects users to licensed attorneys.

How we match your Detroit social security disability case

When you submit a Detroit social security disability matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A social security disability matter needs someone who handles social security disability work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Federal jurisdiction

This is federal law, so an attorney does not need to be licensed in Michigan to represent you — but they do need to know how your local office and courts handle these cases.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Start my free case review How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Social Security Disability cases in Detroit

More about legal help in Detroit →

Disability applicants in Detroit include former autoworkers with back and joint injuries, warehouse and healthcare workers, and residents with serious illnesses who can no longer hold a job. Claims start at Social Security field offices and, after denial, go to a hearing before a federal administrative law judge at the Detroit hearing office, not Wayne County courts. Strong medical records from area hospitals and timely appeals make the difference, since most first applications are denied. DearLegal matches you with a Michigan-licensed attorney who handles Social Security Disability cases in Detroit, and the review is free.

Detroit disability appeals are heard by federal administrative law judges, not in Wayne County courts.
Former autoworkers and warehouse employees in Detroit often apply with back, joint, and repetitive-strain injuries.
Medical records from Detroit hospital systems are central evidence in most local claims.

Michigan social security disability rules at a glance

Detroit cases run under Michigan law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Michigan page.

Read the full Michigan social security disability guide →

Federal Authority: SSDI
Social Security Act, Title II (SSDI) and Title XVI (SSI) — 42 U.S.C. § 401 et seq. and § 1381 et seq.
SSA Hearing Offices: OHO hearing
OHO hearing offices in Detroit, Lansing, Flint, and Grand Rapids
Michigan Disability Determination Service (DDS): DDS makes
Michigan DDS makes initial and reconsideration medical decisions on behalf of SSA
State SSI Supplement: Michigan pays
Michigan pays a state SSI supplement on top of federal SSI through MDHHS
Federal Attorney Fee Cap: 25%
25% of past-due benefits, capped at $9,200 (effective Nov 2024, adjusts with COLA) — 42 U.S.C. § 406
Typical attorney fee: 25%
25% of Back Pay (Max $9,200) — paid only from past-due benefits

Exhibit D

How much do Detroit social security disability attorneys cost?

Sample settlement statement

Michigan · Social Security Disability

Recovery$100,000

Attorney fee · 25% of back pay− $25,000

Case costs (advanced by firm)repaid at the end

To you$75,000

Due today$0

Try a different recovery$100,000

$5,000$3,000,000

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Most Michigan social security disability attorneys work on contingency: the fee is a share of what they recover, and nothing if they don’t.

Federal law caps SSDI/SSI attorney fees at 25% of past-due benefits, with a hard maximum of $9,200 (effective Nov 2024, adjusts with the cost-of-living). SSA must approve every fee agreement. You pay nothing out of pocket and nothing from your ongoing monthly benefit — the fee comes only from back pay, and only if you win. If there is no back pay, there is no fee.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Start my free case reviewTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit F

Detroit social security disability questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Michigan attorney will review it for free.

Start free review

Appeals from denied Detroit claims are heard at a federal hearing office serving the area, often by video or phone, before an administrative law judge. This is separate from Wayne County courts. An attorney can prepare your testimony, obtain updated records, and question vocational experts at the hearing.

Appeal. Starting over usually loses back benefits and restarts delays, while an appeal keeps your original filing date. Deadlines are short, typically sixty days. A Detroit disability attorney can file the appeal and build the medical record, and is paid only from back benefits if you win.

Yes. Social Security considers your past work and whether you can do it or adjust to other jobs given your age, education, and limitations. Heavy auto plant work can strengthen a claim for older applicants. An attorney can present your work history and medical limitations effectively.

SSDI (Title II) is based on your work history and the FICA taxes you’ve paid — generally 40 work credits with 20 in the last 10 years. SSI (Title XVI) is needs-based; no work credits required but income and resources must be very low (generally under $2,000 in countable assets for an individual). Michigan SSI recipients also get the state supplement and automatic Michigan Medicaid.

Initial decisions from Michigan DDS typically take 6–8 months. Reconsideration adds several more. ALJ hearings at the Michigan OHOs currently run roughly 12+ months from the hearing request. Compassionate Allowance and TERI flags speed things up.