Supplemental Security Income

Title 16 Disability

SSI benefits provide income to a disabled person who meets the financial requirements of the Social Security System. There are very restrictive limitations on what assets you can have and what income you can make and receive these benefits. The benefits are designed for people who have no other income or support. You may be able to get SSI if your resources are worth no more than $2,000. A couple may be able to get SSI if they have resources worth no more than $3,000. If you own property that you are trying to sell, you may be able to get SSI while trying to sell it.

If you are applying for SSDI benefits, and you meet the financial requirements, you can receive SSI benefits while you are waiting for a determination of your SSDI claim. Again this can be complex and confusing, so it is important to contact us rather than to try to figure this out for yourself or by trusting a Social Security employee to explain it to you.

If you qualify for SSI you can get up to $698 a month. You will be entitled to medical coverage under the Medicaid system. If you are found disabled, benefits start the month after you file. Please understand that it is common to have your benefits denied at the Application stage and also at the Reconsideration stage, but you will be entitled to all your past due benefits if you prevail at your Social Security Disability hearing. It is after you are denied your SSI benefits after Reconsideration that is the most critical time to contact us rather than to try to figure this out and/or try to conduct the hearing by yourself.

Widow/Widowers Disability benefits

These benefits are designed for the spouse of a deceased person who was insured under the Social Security system. Under this law, a surviving spouse is entitled to a percentage of their spouses’ SSDI benefits. In order to qualify for these benefits, you must show that your deceased spouse paid into the Social Security system. You must be between the ages of 50 and 59. You must show that you had been married for at least 9 months at the time of death. And finally, you must show that you became disabled within a certain period of time (normally 7 years).

Adult Disabled Child

These benefits are designed for an adult disabled child of a person who was insured under the Social Security system. Under this law, the adult child is entitled to a percentage of their parents SSDI benefits.

In order to be entitled to these benefits, you must show that the child became disabled before the age of 22. You must normally show that the child has never been married. Finally, you must show that the child’s parent was insured under the Social Security system and that the parent has retired, has become disabled, or has died.

Blindness

These Social Security disability benefits are designed for a person who meets the Social security definition of blindness. Under this law, a blind person is entitled to SSDI benefits or SSI benefits. There are special rules for people who are legally blind. They do not have to meet some of the work requirements that others do, and they are able to earn significantly more money than others, and still keep their SS benefits.

For Questions About Your Social Security Disability Claim... Contact Us