Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides monthly payments to people with disabilities who also have limited income and resources. The eligibility criteria are strict, and the administration scrutinizes every application.
If you think you are eligible to receive benefits, it is important to file your initial SSI application directly with the SSA. If your application is denied, a Toledo SSI eligibility lawyer from Schaffer & Associates can assist you with the appeal process to improve your chances of success.
SSI is only available to people who meet certain criteria. They must have a qualifying medical condition that is expected to last one year or longer, thereby preventing them from working.
A qualifying medical condition could be one diagnosis or the combined effect of multiple conditions. The Social Security Administration lists several different types of impairments that it can consider a qualifying disability. The list includes:
However, having a disorder that is on the list does not mean automatic approval for SSI benefits. The administration reviews and carefully evaluates the medical condition to determine whether it qualifies. An applicant must provide the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all doctors and hospitals they have been to for their condition. The administration may also ask for medical test results and a list of any medications the applicant is taking.
Assuming an applicant has a qualifying medical condition, the Social Security Administration also determines whether the individual may receive SSI benefits based on their income and resources.
While technically it is possible to be approved for benefits if you are working, SSI is primarily intended for individuals with no income or limited resources. The income limit for SSI benefits is typically set at less than $2,000 per month. According to the administration, income is any money received as:
Not all of these income sources count, though, and there are several exceptions that the administration will consider when calculating an applicant’s income. For example, income used to pay for a wheelchair does not count toward the income limit.
Resources are another important consideration. These are assets that an applicant owns, such as property, cash, stocks, and vehicles. SSI benefits are available to:
Like income, the administration does not count everything an applicant owns and will not include their home, certain life insurance policies, and household goods.
The qualifying criteria for benefits are quite broad, but the administration will be strict when approving an applicant.
The Social Security Administration takes its time to review each application, and approval usually does not happen quickly. The administration may reject an application for various reasons. Sometimes, this happens because of something as simple as missing or incomplete information. Other times, it is because the administration determined that the medical condition did not qualify, or the applicant was over the income or resource limit.
Applicants have the right to appeal a rejected application. Our local lawyers can represent eligible applicants in Toledo and the surrounding area who have been denied SSI benefits.
If you believe you qualify to receive SSI benefits, talk with a Toledo SSI eligibility lawyer about your situation. The experienced team at Schaffer & Associates can help you understand the eligibility criteria.
A dedicated attorney can also represent you in your appeal if your application is rejected. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn about your potential eligibility for SSI benefits.