Sometimes you know a government benefit is there, but just don’t know whether you are eligible. For example, Abby R. was no longer able to work because of her arthritis. She had no other source of income and owned very few assets. Abby R. knew she might be eligible for disability benefits. She just had no idea how to go about qualifying for Supplemental Security Income.
Supplemental Security Income Is . . .
… a government benefits program administered by the Social Security Administration. SSI is intended to help people who are:
- age 65 or older,
- blind, or
- disabled AND
- receiving a limited income, and
- have limited resources, and
- S. citizen or nation or a certain category of aliens, and
- A resident of the United States or Northern Mariana Islands, and more.
Supplemental Security Income Requirements
To qualify for SSI, then, an individual must be disabled as defined by the Social Security Administration:
“… the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”
In addition, applicants must meet the following requirements in order to qualify for Supplemental Security Income:
- Income Limit. This includes wages, money received from other sources, and free food and shelter.
- Resources: The SSA considers resources like cash, bank accounts, stocks, U.S. savings bonds, land, vehicles, personal property, life insurance, and anything else that could be used for to pay for food or shelter.
Not all of your income and property will be counted against your SSI eligibility.
Qualifying for Supplemental Security Income Can Be Hard
Make sure you submit a complete application with all supporting documents. It does not mean you will automatically receive benefits, but it may help you get a decision faster.
The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have more than 50 years’ legal experience, much of it involving Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance claims. They can help you with your application and any appeals that might be needed.
Call us at 714-385-8100 for a free consultation. Though our office is located in Anaheim, we assist clients throughout Southern California.
