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Social Security & Disability: Claims, Denials and Appeals

Plachta, Murphy & Associates provides specialized help for individuals and businesses in West Michigan needing help to navigate through the rules and regulations that govern Social Security programs, including disability benefits, spousal benefits, and retirement benefits. Whether your disability claim was recently denied or you are a corporate officer who is about to retire, our knowledge of and experience with Social Security Administration rules and requirements can help you receive the maximum benefits possible.
Richard J. Cross and Miles J. Murphy, III are our Social Security law team. Miles J. Murphy, III (Attorney) is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant’s Representatives, and specializes in Social Security law and appeals. Richard J. Cross (Government Benefits Specialist) served for more than 20 years as an SSA benefits advocate and six years as a VA eligibility specialist – his insider’s perspective and industry contacts help us cut through the bureaucracy. If you’ve recently received a disability claim denial letter or notice of overpayment, or if you are a corporate officer preparing to retire, please call us at (616) 458-3994.

Social Security protects more than 145 million workers through disability, retirement, and survivor benefits. Although about 44 million people receive benefits, many people who are eligible don’t know how and when to pursue benefits. Meanwhile, those who are aware may have a difficult time navigating through Social Security’s requirements.

There are two main branches to Plachta, Murphy & Associates’ Social Security client service group: Social Security Disability Appeals and Business and Retirement Planning and Consultation. We will discuss them generally below, but please click through to the area that best applies to your current needs to get your more detailed questions answered.

Social Security Disability Appeals

Social Security Disability Benefits are available to disabled individuals who meet the SSA’s requirements:

  • The SSA defines disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death.
  • Do you have a physical or mental impairment that prevents you from working, whether at your past job or at any job?
  • Has this disability lasted, or is expected to last, for at least one year?
  • Is this disability life-threatening?
  • Check the SSA’s List of Impairments to see if your disability is listed. Even if it is not, the SSA will look at your disability to see if it is as severe as those on the list.
  • The SSA also looks at your work history.
  • Have you earned enough to qualify for this benefit?
  • Working for as little as five of the last ten years may be enough to qualify.
If you meet the above requirements, you should be entitled to Social Security Disability Benefits. Unfortunately, about 60% of claims are initially denied. If you or a loved one applied and have had disability benefits denied, you have only 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file your request for an appeal.

Please call our office at (616) 458-3994 for a free consultation or to receive a free guide to your Social Security Disability Benefits.

Business and Retirement Planning and Consultation

Our Social Security specialists can help corporate officers and self-employed individuals obtain their maximum Social Security Retirement benefits.

Corporate officers and self-employed individuals who apply for social security benefits are subject to very thorough questioning. The SSA will investigate their actual work activity and their level of financial control of the business earnings. Failure to properly plan can result in being denied retirement benefits or having their monthly benefits cut. Please call our office at (616) 459-3994 to begin that planning before you apply for SSA Retirement Benefits.