The Jones family badly needed financial assistance. Several of the adults were unable to work, Grandma was over 65 years old, and one of the children was disabled. Someone told them they should apply for SSI, but they wondered if SSI for families was difficult to get. With the help of an attorney, they located the appropriate forms and started the application process. While supplying all the information and putting up with Social Security’s questions was hard, the benefits they might receive could make a difference in their lives.
The Basics of Supplemental Security Income
The Social Security Administration (Social Security) administers this government program, also called SSI. Generally, 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
- Residents of the United States or the Northern Mariana Islands, and more.
Some households have multiple SSI recipients. Other homes may be multi-generational, with some family members working and some not. Household income and resources can affect how Social Security awards SSI for families.
Determining SSI for Families
This process can become very complicated. Social Security will need information about the number of people in the household, along with their income and resources. When children are involved, living arrangements may affect their benefits. Social Security uses a process called “deeming” when determining benefits for children who may split living arrangements with divorced parents or who spend time away from home but still under parental control.
Again, this can be a complicated process, but an experienced Social Security disability lawyer can help.
Ask a Disability Lawyer About SSI for Families
Make sure you are receiving all the benefits you and your family deserve. SSI alone can be hard to understand. SSI for families can be even more complicated.
It can help to have someone by your side. The attorneys at The Law Offices of Martin Taller have more than 50 years’ experience helping clients like you. For a free consultation, call us at 714-385-8100. Though our office is located in Anaheim, we assist clients throughout Southern California.
