Qualifying for SSI Expedited Payments

Finding the right government benefit programs takes time. The requirements vary from program to program, and there’s a lot of information to understand quickly. When someone needs help now, learning the application process can take six months or more can be devastating. Emergency payments may be available through programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), but qualifying for SSI expedited payments is just another headache.

However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does offer expedited payments. We’re going to look at these programs and what it takes to qualify.

Presumptive Disability or Presumptive Blindness

Some applicants may qualify for SSI expedited payments for several reasons, including but not limited to:

Amputation of a leg at the hip;
Total deafness;
Total blindness;
Bed confinement due to a longstanding condition;
Slow recovery from a stroke in the past three months;
Cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or muscular atrophy;
Down syndrome and failure to thrive;
Intellectual disabilities or neurodevelopmental impairments;
HIV; and
End-stage renal disease.

If qualified, the SSA will pay presumptive disability or presumptive blindness benefits for up to six months. Their decision is based on:

The severity of your condition,
The evidence of your condition that is available at the time of application,
The expectation that your claim will be approved.

The SSA typically does not attempt to recover this type of expedited payment.

Emergency Advance Payment

New applicants for SSI whose SSI benefits were delayed or not received may receive an emergency advance payment. The SSA will only pay one advance payment. The amount advanced varies, but will be based on:

The SSI benefit rate;
the total benefits due; or
the amount requested to cover a financial emergency.

Financial emergency typically means the applicant cannot pay for essentials like food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment.

The SSA may recover this payment through monthly installments from the recipient’s SSI benefits.

Immediate SSI Expedited Payments

This payment is similar to the emergency advance payment. Applicants whose benefits have been delayed or not received and who are facing a financial emergency may qualify. The payment is calculated differently, however, and cannot exceed $999.00.

An immediate payment will be subtracted from your first regular SSI benefit payment.

Expedited Reinstatement Cases

Some SSI recipients attempt to return to work, but eventually have to have their SSI benefits reinstated. In this case, the SSA requires updated medical information about your disabling condition. This type of SSI expedited payment is provided for up to six months while the SSA processes the application for reinstatement.