Thomas A. Geelhoed

Thomas Geelhoed is a Social Security Disability lawyer. He helps people collect disability benefits when they have been turned down by the government. Before 2003, Mr. Geelhoed did other kinds of cases too. Before 2003, he was doing 20-40 disability cases as a major part of his overall practice. But since 2003, he has dedicated his practice to helping people with Social Security Disability claims. He now averages over 100 cases per year. Mr. Geelhoed often handles cases that other lawyers don't want. Those include cases for younger adults, for children or claims for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Mr. Geelhoed has been active in the Social Security Section of the State Bar of Michigan and recently served as the Chairman for the Social Security Section. He has frequently led seminars for the State Bar, teaching other lawyer how to help with Social Security Disability claims. He belongs to the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR) and has spoken at the national level on the subject of federal court appeals. He is one of the few Social Security Disability lawyers in Grand Rapids with experience taking cases to federal court. Unlike the large "national" law firms that process Social Security Disability claims, Mr. Geelhoed meets with each client personally in advance to prepare for the hearing. He returns calls personally and provides personal service that the "national" firms cannot give. Recipient, Rockwell T. Gust Award, University Michigan School of Law.