Frequently Asked Questions for Michigan Legal Matters

Benefits get denied for a lot of different reasons. It can be insufficient medical evidence, filing errors, recent work activity, or failure to meet disability criteria. A lot of claims get approved during the appeals process with lawyers from Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C.

The appeal process has four levels: Reconsideration, hearing before an administrative law judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court. You have to file your appeal within 60 days of getting your denial letter.

A disability lawyer reviews your denial letter, gathers additional medical evidence, prepares you for hearings, and handles all the paperwork and deadlines. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. works on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.

You need detailed medical records that show both your diagnosis and functional limitations, employer statements, pharmacy records, and third-party observations from family or caregivers.

The appeals process usually takes from a few months to over a year from the time you were first denied to your hearing before an administrative law judge. The timeline varies based on how complex your case is and hearing availability.

You can file a new application, but appealing your denial is usually faster and preserves your original application date for back pay purposes. You’ve got 60 days from your denial letter to file an appeal with Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C.