If you are unable to work due to a disability, you are probably facing a real financial crunch. You may be missing out on an important benefit – Supplemental Security Income.
What is Supplemental Security Income?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) manages a number of programs including Social Security retirement, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
SSI is intended to help people who meet the following conditions:
- Are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled; AND
- Have a limited income and limited resources.
SSI recipients must also be U.S. citizens or be part of a certain category of non-citizens.
What are the basic qualification to get SSI?
Similar to SSDI, an applicant for SSI must meet the SSA’s definition of disability:
“… 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.”
SSI applicants must also meet certain other requirements.
How can I qualify for SSI?
Once it’s determined an applicant is disabled, the SSA assesses the following requirements:
- Applicants cannot earn more than a certain amount each month. Income includes wages, money received from other sources, and free food and shelter.
- Resource Limitations: Property that the SSA considers to be resources includes cash, bank accounts, U.S. savings bonds, stocks, vehicles, land, personal property, life insurance, and anything else that could be used for to pay for food or shelter.
However, some income and property are not counted against you. For example, the following resources generally will not affect your SSI eligibility:
- The home you currently live in;
- Household goods and personal property;
- Burial plots for you and for your family;
- Funds set aside for funerals for you and for your family worth up to $1,500;
- Life insurance policies with a face value up to $1,500;
- A vehicle used by you and your household;
- Retroactive Social Security benefits;
- Money to be used for education expenses, like grants, scholarships, fellowships, or gifts; and
- Up to $100,000 faxed in an ABLE account.
What is your next step?
Get the Benefits You Deserve When You Need Them.
At The Law Offices of Martin Taller, your SSI case will receive the attention and care of experienced Social Security Disability attorneys. For your free consultation, call us at 714-385-8100. We are located in Anaheim, but we assist clients throughout Southern California.
