Filing for Social Security or SSI Disability in Michigan

You file your disability claim with Social Security, but Michigan DDS will determine whether you're medically eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

By , Paralegal and Research Analyst

If you live in Michigan and are unable to work due to illness or injury for at least a one-year period, you could be eligible for Social Security disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. These federal programs provide monthly cash payments to qualified individuals.

How Do I File for Social Security Disability Benefits in Michigan?

There are multiple ways to file for Social Security disability in Michigan. You can file in person at a local Social Security Administration (SSA) field office. Or you can call the SSA at (800) 772-1213 or apply online at www.ssa.gov.

To apply for disability benefits in Michigan, you'll need to have a significant amount of information on hand, including:

  • details about the condition(s) that cause you to be unable to work
  • medical or psychiatric treatment you've obtained (including your doctors' contact information), and
  • your past employment and earnings.

Learn more about filing a disability claim.

After you file your application, it will be sent to Disability Determination Services (DDS), a state-level agency under the Michigan Department of Health Services. A claims examiner at DDS will decide whether you are disabled.

What Are My Chances of Getting Disability Benefits in Michigan?

Approximately three to five months after you file for disability, you'll receive a written decision in the mail. More than a third of those who apply for SSDI in Michigan are approved for benefits upon their initial application. A significant number are also granted benefits at the hearing stage of the disability appeals process.

Stage of Application

Michigan

Nationally

Approval After Initial Application

39%

36%

Approval After Reconsideration

14%

13%

Approval After Appeal Hearing

56%

51%

Hearing Wait Time

9 months

10 months

What Is the Process for Appealing a Disability Decision in Michigan?

Michigan now has a four-step appeals process for Social Security disability (after adding a "reconsideration" step a few years ago).

Reconsideration in Michigan

Before you can request an appeal hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), you have to request that a claims examiner at DDS "reconsider" your application. DDS will give your application to a different claims examiner than the one that denied your claim at the initial application stage. In Michigan, only 14% of claims are approved at the reconsideration stage.

Michigan Disability Hearings

You have 60 days after receiving a denial after the reconsideration review to request a disability hearing in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ). In Michigan, over half (56%) of these administrative hearings result in the disability applicant being awarded benefits. But it's likely that you'll face a long wait before your hearing date. The average wait time for a hearing in Michigan is nine months.

At your disability hearing, you'll have the chance to testify about your inability to work. The ALJ might ask you questions about your past employment or what you can and can't do, and the SSA may contact a medical and/or vocational (employment) expert to give their opinions.

In most cases, you'll receive the judge's decision in the mail within 30 days of your hearing.

Appeals Council & Federal Court Case

If your disability hearing results in an "unfavorable decision" (in other words, you're denied benefits), there are two more steps in the SSD appeals process—an Appeals Council review, and the filing of a case in U.S. District Court of Eastern Michigan or Western Michigan.

Few disability applicants have their claims approved at these levels, and you'll need to retain a licensed attorney if you decide to file a federal court case to appeal your denied disability claim.

How Much Is Michigan's State Supplement for SSI?

If you haven't worked long enough, or recently enough, to qualify for Social Security disability benefits (SSDI), you could still be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. SSI is a needs-based federal disability program, and it doesn't have any earnings requirements. But you do have to fall within strict (and complex) asset and income limits to qualify for SSI benefits.

Those who receive SSI in Michigan may be eligible for a small additional monthly payment from the state. The amount of this benefit varies depending on your living arrangements. For example, under the current laws, Michigan SSI recipients who reside in a household that isn't their own would receive only $9.33 extra per month, but those who live independently would get an extra $14 each month.

The amounts for couples differ as well and are included below:

SSA Issued SSI Payment

Additional State SSI Payment

Independent Living/Individual

$841

$14

Independent Living/Couple

$1,261

$21

Household of Another/Individual

$560.67

$9.33

Household of Another/Couple

$841

$13.96

The Michigan Department of Human Services administers and pays the state supplement for those living in a private residence. The Social Security Administration administers the payment for all others.

Helpful Contact Info for Applying for Disability in Michigan

There are 50 Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices in Michigan—you can locate the nearest one on the SSA's website. Once your file has been sent to a DDS office, you should contact that office with any questions or to check the status of your claim.

Where Are the DDS Offices in Michigan?

The primary responsibility of Disability Determination Services (DDS) is making decisions on Social Security disability and SSI disability claims. In Michigan, there are four DDS offices, in Detroit, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Traverse City.

Detroit DDS Office
P.O. Box 345
Detroit, Michigan 48231
Telephone: (313) 456-1443
Fax: (800) 383-7155

Kalamazoo DDS Office
P.O. Box 4020
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49003
Telephone: (269) 337-3509
Fax: (800) 829-7763

Lansing DDS Office
P.O. Box 30011
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Telephone: (517) 373-4398
Fax: (800) 366-3404

Traverse DDS Office
P.O. Box 1200
Traverse City, Michigan 49685
Telephone: (800) 632-1097
Fax: (
800) 632-1097

Where Are the Social Security Hearing Offices in Michigan?

Disability hearings in Michigan are held at Offices of Hearings Operations (formerly the Offices of Disability Adjudication and Review). Contact information for Michigan's OHO offices is listed below.

Detroit Hearing Office
Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building
477 Michigan Avenue, Room 900
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Telephone: (888) 748-7696
Fax: (833) 942-2185

Serves the Dearborn, Detroit (Connor, Downtown, East, Grand River, and Southwest), Fort Gratiot, and Wyandotte offices.

Flint Hearing Office
300 West Second Street
Flint, Michigan 48502-2047
Telephone: (877) 607-9526
Fax: (833) 694-0063

Serves the Bay City, Flint (Downtown and North), and Saginaw field offices.

Grand Rapids Hearing Office
1925 Breton Road, SE Suite 200
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Telephone: (866) 613-2860
Fax: (833) 619-0613

Serves the Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo, and Muskegon field offices.

Lansing Hearing Office
4202 Collins Road, Suite 200
Lansing, Michigan 48910
Telephone: (877) 691-6144
Fax: (833) 510-0098

Serves the Battle Creek, Jackson, Lansing, and Owosso field offices.

Livonia Hearing Office
19575 Victor Parkway, 3rd Floor
Livonia, Michigan 48152
Telephone: (866) 530-7806
Fax: (833) 676-0113

Serves the Ann Arbor, Detroit (Northwest), Farmington Hills, Inkster, Livonia, and Pontiac field offices.

Mount Pleasant Hearing Office
4035 Sweeney Road
Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858
Telephone: (866) 873-6604
Fax: (833) 964-2265

Serves the Alpena, Big Rapids, Cadillac, Ludington, Mount Pleasant, Petoskey, Traverse City, and West Branch field offices.

Oak Park Hearing Office
Crown Pointe Building, Suite 500
25900 Greenfield Road
Oak Park, Michigan 48237-1267
Telephone: (877) 223-6060
Fax: (833) 964-2265

Serves the Chesterfield, Clawson, Detroit (7 Mile-Wyoming), Highland Park, Pontiac, Roseville, and Sterling Heights field offices.

Michigan Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Disabled Michigan workers who are interested in receiving vocational rehabilitation services can contact Michigan Rehabilitation Services. Located in Lansing, the MRS partners with numerous other state agencies to help individuals with disabilities find and maintain employment. More information can be found on the MRS website.

How Do I Get Help With My Michigan Social Security Disability Claim?

It's easy to become overwhelmed with the disability application and appeals process. If your disability application and your reconsideration are denied, you should consider hiring an attorney to represent you at your hearing. An experienced Social Security disability attorney can increase your chances of winning your case.

Updated June 29, 2022

Talk to a Disability Lawyer

Need a lawyer? Start here.

How it Works

  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you
Boost Your Chance of Being Approved

Get the Compensation You Deserve

Our experts have helped thousands like you get cash benefits.

How It Works

  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you