Transitioning From LTD To SSDI In Michigan Without Losing Control Of Your Claim
Last updated on October 24, 2026
When long-term disability, workers’ compensation or no-fault wage loss benefits start to run out, Social Security Disability Insurance often becomes the next source of income. Many insurers also require you to apply. At Bahrie Law, PLLC, our attorneys have guided Michigan workers through disability and injury claims since 1979. We can handle your SSDI application while protecting the benefits you already receive.
When Other Benefits Lead To An SSDI Application
Each type of benefit pushes you toward SSDI for a different reason:
- Long-term disability: Policies that often demand a federal disability application within 12 to 24 months so the insurer can lower its monthly benefit
- Workers’ compensation: Weekly checks that may stop after a redemption settlement or a dispute over your ability to work
- No-fault wage loss: Income coverage that ends three years after the crash under MCL 500.3107
Since SSDI has a five-month waiting period, applying early can shorten any gap in income.
Do You Have To Use The SSDI Representative Your Insurer Assigns?
No. Some LTD insurers refer claimants to a vendor that files the SSDI application. That vendor works under a contract with the insurer. Social Security rules let you choose your own representative instead. An independent attorney can focus on full back pay and how SSDI fits with your other claims.
Our Social Security Disability lawyers handle SSDI cases on a contingency fee. Federal law caps the fee, which comes from your past-due benefits only if your claim succeeds. We explain any case expenses, such as medical record fees, before you sign.
How Benefit Offsets Affect Your SSDI Payments
Social Security may reduce your SSDI so SSDI and workers’ comp together do not exceed 80% of your average earnings before the disability. The wording of a workers’ comp settlement can change the size of that reduction, so we review those terms alongside your SSDI claim.
LTD insurers often demand repayment once SSDI back pay arrives. We compare each overpayment demand with your policy so you repay only what the contract allows. Collecting no-fault wage loss and SSDI together raises separate questions under Michigan law.
Questions About Moving From LTD Or Workers’ Comp To SSDI
Workers whose benefits are changing often raise similar concerns about SSDI. We answer several of them in the following section:
Q: Do I have to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if I am already receiving Long-Term Disability (LTD) or Workers’ Comp?
A: In most cases, yes. Most private Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance policies strictly require you to apply for SSDI after a certain period (typically 12 to 24 months) to offset their own monthly payouts. Similarly, if you are receiving Workers’ Comp or Auto No-Fault (PIP) wage loss benefits, applying for SSDI establishes your long-term federal coverage before state or private benefits expire or decrease.
Q: Am I required to use the disability representative assigned to me by my LTD insurance company?
A: No. Your insurance company may try to assign you a third-party vendor or representative, but you have the legal right under Social Security Administration rules to choose your own independent attorney. Representatives provided by an insurance company work under contract with the insurer, which benefits from a fast offset. An independent attorney focuses on maximizing your personal back pay and protecting your full recovery across multiple claims.
Q: Will hiring my own attorney for an SSDI claim cost me anything out of pocket?
A: No upfront legal fees. At Bahrie Law, PLLC, we handle Social Security Disability claims on a contingency fee basis. Under federal law, our attorney fee is capped and is paid exclusively as a percentage of your accrued retroactive back pay only if we win your case. We explain any case expenses before you sign.
Q: Why should I hire an independent law firm instead of using the representative my insurer recommends?
A: Many general representatives or insurance vendors only handle the basic SSDI paperwork. They do not look at how your SSDI claim intersects with your Workers’ Compensation settlement, Auto No-Fault wage loss or personal injury lawsuit. Hiring an independent law firm like Bahrie Law, PLLC, means you have an attorney who works solely for you. That includes protecting you from improper insurance offsets and structuring lump-sum settlements to minimize SSA payments.
Plan Your SSDI Transition Before Your Current Benefits End
If your insurer has told you to apply for SSDI or assigned you a representative, speak with our team first. Call 888-473-1289 or contact our office online.