Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a benefit offered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for individuals who are unable to work due to a disability. SSI is not available to everyone; applicants must demonstrate financial need by meeting specific asset and income requirements.
SSI is a national program, and applicants must meet national requirements. However, SSI can trigger eligibility for Medicaid, which is a state-run program. The local attorneys at Schaffer & Associates can answer your questions and support you throughout the Toledo SSI application process.
Before filing for SSI in Toledo, it is important to understand the eligibility requirements. In addition to having a financial need and a qualifying condition, applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or qualifying non-citizens. Applicants must live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. Those who are in an institution, including a hospital, at the government’s expense, are ineligible.
To qualify under the blindness requirement, a person does not have to be totally blind. Instead, their vision must meet the SSA’s definition of legal blindness. However, even those who are not legally blind may be eligible for some benefits based on disability due to visual impairments.
There are different eligibility rules for children and adults. For those under 18, disability can be established by a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that results in marked or severe functional limitations that are expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. For those over 18, a qualifying disability must have resulted in the inability to perform any substantial gainful activity. In addition, it must be expected to last longer than 12 months or result in death.
If a person’s disability clearly satisfies these criteria, the SSA has a way to streamline their application. In the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program, the SSA identifies diseases and conditions that clearly meet its standards for disability benefits. Applying under a CAL is one way to reduce waiting time for those with severe disabilities.
People can start the application online through the SSA’s website or by phone at 1-800-772-1213. The applicant does not have to complete the application alone; they can have someone help them. To file for SSI benefits over the phone, individuals in Toledo and the surrounding area can contact their local Social Security Administration (SSA) office to schedule a phone appointment.
It is essential to apply for benefits as soon as possible. Some people believe that the 12-month requirement means they must be disabled for 12 months to qualify for SSI. This is not true—as long as the disability is expected to last for at least 12 months or until death (if death is predicted within 12 months), then a person can qualify. The application date is the first date that the SSA uses when calculating benefits, even if the disability existed before then.
People who are unable to complete their applications have the right to receive help from the SSA in filling out forms. However, the SSA can only use information that the applicant provides.
Since proof of a disability is required for SSI applications, medical exams are part of the process. The SSA may even cover the costs of medical exams or tests necessary to support a disability claim, including any associated transportation expenses.
To learn more about the Toledo SSI application process, call today to schedule a consultation with the team at Schaffer & Associates.