An individual applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) has to prove they are eligible for benefits. First, they have to provide evidence of a disability that meets the Social Security Administration’s definition. Then the applicant must show they have very limited income and resources. However, it may be months before the SSI application is approved, months during which bills pile up and a bad situation gets even worse. However, some SSI applicants may qualify for something called presumptive disability payments that will get the money flowing in more quickly.
Not everyone can qualify, but presumptive disability payments may be paid if at least one of the following situations is present:
Presumptive Disability or Presumptive Blindness
If you have one of the following conditions, SSI might be paid for up to 6 months or until a decision is made on your claim:
- Amputation of a leg at the hip;
- Total deafness;
- Total blindness;
- Longstanding conditions that lead an applicant to be bedfast or immobile without help;
- Difficult walking or using a hand or arm due to a stroke that occurred at least three months ago;
- Difficult walking, speaking, or using hands or arms because of cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or muscular atrophy;
- Down syndrome;
- Complete inability to perform basic self-care activities due to intellectual disability or neurodevelopmental impairment;
- Children younger than age 1 with birth weight of 2 pounds, 10 ounces or less or with low weight compared to gestational age at birth;
- HIV or AIDS;
- Terminal illness with life expectancy of six months or less;
- Spinal cord injury that makes it impossible to walk without assistance;
- End-stage renal disease; or
Emergency Advance Payment
The Social Security Administration may provide one emergency advance payment to new applicants, applicants facing a financial emergency, and applicants whose SSI payments are late.
An emergency payment may be deducted from future monthly payments.
Immediate Payment
People who meet certain criteria may qualify for an immediate payment, including:
- First-time applicants;
- People whose payments are delayed or not received; and
- Individuals dealing with a financial emergency, like not having money for food, clothing, medical care, or shelter.
This payment also may be deducted from future benefit payments.
Expedited Reinstatement Cases
This type of presumptive disability payment is for people whose benefits have ended. People in this situation do not need to reapply. They just have to ask for reinstatement, usually due to one of the following:
- Benefits stopped due to the individual’s work-related income;
- Suffers from the same impairment, or a related impairment, that qualified for disability benefits at an earlier time; and
- Individual requests that benefits start up within five years from the month benefits ended.
Do You or Someone You Know Need to Apply for Disability?
Get the help of an experienced Social Security attorney. The Social Security Disability Insurance application process can be long and frustrating. You need someone on your side who understands the system.
The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have helped many clients receive the disability benefits they deserve. For a free consultation, call us at 714-385-8100. Though our office is located in Anaheim, we assist clients throughout Southern California.
