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How to Apply for Disability Benefits in Michigan

Written by

Jackie Jakab

Lead Attorney

Published May 21, 2024

Updated May 29, 2024

2 min read

Why trust us?

Atticus offers free, high-quality disability advice for Americans who can't work. Our team of Stanford and Harvard-trained lawyers has a combined 15+ years of legal experience and has helped over 50,000 Americans apply for disability benefits.

See if you qualify

If you’re a Michigan resident who can’t work because of an injury or illness, you may qualify for federal disability benefits through Social Security. More than 350,000 Michiganders receive disability benefits annually from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for injuries and medical conditions.

If disability benefits could provide you with much needed financial assistance, it’s worth it to apply. Let’s look at Michigan’s different disability benefit programs and what’s involved in the application process in the Great Lakes State.

How disability works in Michigan

Michigan does not have a statewide disability program. However, the good news is that Michiganders with disabilities may be eligible for Social Security benefits through the federal government or disability benefits through a private insurance company.

As a Michigan resident, you have access to:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): SSDI, which offers monthly payments and Medicare, is geared toward those who cannot work long term due to a disability. To qualify, you must have previously worked and paid taxes.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): If you have very few resources and assets and a limited work history, you might be eligible for SSI, a similar federal program that pays monthly benefits and includes Medicaid.
Veterans disability benefits: If you are a veteran and cannot work due to an injury stemming from your military service, you could receive Veterans Affairs benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Private disability insurance: You may access long-term or short-term private disability insurance directly from an insurance company or through your former employer as long as you purchased the coverage before your injury or illness began.

You may qualify for workers' compensation benefits if you experienced a work-related injury or illness. Check out our guide on workers’ comp benefits.

We've helped 5,640 people in Michigan with disability benefits.

Should I apply for SSDI or SSI?

Both of these federal programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), provide monthly payments and health insurance coverage to people who can’t work because of a non-work-related injury or illness.

When you’re weighing which program to apply for, keep these key differences in mind:

Work history: SSDI is for people who have worked at least five out of the last 10 years and have paid taxes into Social Security. SSI is for people with little to no work history, very low income, and few assets.
Payment amounts: Your SSDI payments depend on how much you paid in Social Security taxes. On the other hand, your SSI benefit amount depends on your income level and total assets. Typically, monthly SSI payments are lower than SSDI benefits. In Michigan, the average monthly SSDI payment is $1,776, while the average monthly SSI payment is $625.
Healthcare: SSDI recipients receive Medicare coverage, while SSI beneficiaries receive Medicaid coverage.

Can I apply for both programs at the same time?

Yes, it’s possible to receive SSI and SSDI at the same time. Not everyone will qualify, but there’s no harm in applying for both as long as you fill out everything truthfully. SSI and SSDI use the same application and trying for both can be the smart thing to do in certain cases. (On a technical note, if you qualify for both, you may see that the SSA categorizes you as receiving “concurrent” benefits.)

The easiest way to learn whether you qualify for SSI or SSDI is to take our free online quiz. It only takes a few minutes and if you qualify, we can connect you with a lawyer to help increase your chance of success when applying.

The Social Security disability “five-year rule” is an informal rule of thumb that assesses your work history. If you’ve worked at least five of the past 10 years, you will likely qualify for SSDI.

The five-year rule can also refer to the elimination of a waiting period for SSDI beneficiaries who are re-applying for benefits. Typically, there is a five-month waiting period for benefits after the SSA approves your application. However, if you received SSDI benefits in the last five years and discontinued them but now require those benefits again, you might be eligible to have your benefits reinstated faster.

How to apply for disability benefits in Michigan

To submit your application for SSDI or SSI in the state of Michigan, follow these steps:

Create an online SSA account. Set up your account by visiting SSA.gov, clicking “Create an Account,” and verifying your identity.
Download the application. Next, download the application from the SSA website so you can fill it out.
Complete and submit the application. Submit your completed application online, walk it into your closest SSA field office, or call the SSA office to apply over the phone.

Keep in mind, a claim representative at your local SSA office can help you fill out your application, but they cannot provide you with legal advice. For more support, call Atticus to connect with a lawyer who can help you navigate every step of the application process.

SSA offices in Michigan

There are 45 SSA offices throughout Michigan, including four in the Upper Peninsula.

Adrian

1040 S Winter St Ste 2401

Adrian, MI 49221