Supplemental Security Income Attorney in Illinois
The Supplemental Security Income program provides a financial lifeline for people with minimal or no income and limited resources. Millions of Americans rely on SSI benefits to pay for food and a place to live.
Qualifying for SSI benefits can be challenging because you must meet the financial limitations and be disabled as defined by federal regulations. National Disability Experts can help you apply for SSI or appeal a denial of benefits. Here are five frequently asked questions about SSI with answers to better understand the program.
FAQ’s about Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a program through the Social Security Administration, but many states supplement the monthly benefit paid by the federal government with a state-funded supplemental payment. Adults and children can qualify for SSI benefits if they are disabled or blind. Adults at least age 65 and meet strict financial requirements may also qualify for benefits without being disabled or blind.
A disability qualifying for SSI benefits is defined as a medically determinable physical or mental health impairment that prevents a person from working. The impairment or a combination of impairments must be expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death.
Children younger than age 18 must meet a different definition of disability to be eligible for SSI benefits. They must have a medical condition or combination of conditions causing a marked and severe functional limitation, which means there must be evidence of serious limitations of their activities. As with adults, the condition or conditions must be expected to last for at least one year or cause death.
The income and resource limitations apply to children and adults applying for SSI benefits. The total value of resources may not exceed $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for an individual with an eligible spouse.
The maximum federal benefit payable through SSI is $943 for individuals and $1,415 for couples when both spouses qualify for benefits. Benefits are subject to annual cost-of-living increases. You could receive less than the maximum federal benefit, depending on your income.
Income is classified as earned or unearned. Earned income is typically money someone pays you in exchange for the work you perform. However, you may exclude the first $65 of earned monthly income.
You also have a $20 unearned income exclusion that you can use for earned income if you wish. Only one-half of your earned income after the $65 and $20 exclusions are applied is countable earned income that reduces your monthly earned income. Earned and unearned income not subject to exclusion reduces your federal benefit from SSI.
Resources are things you own, such as a home, car, bank accounts, and other assets you can convert to cash to pay for food and shelter. However, some resources do not count toward the $2,000 limit for individuals and the $3,000 limit for couples. Excluded resources include the following:
- A home you live in as your principal residence.
- One vehicle that you or a member of your household use for transportation.
- Person effects, such as engagement and wedding rings.
Household goods.
If you exclude a home because it’s your residence and move out, its value becomes a countable asset. Talk to an advocate or lawyer at National Disability Experts to learn more about how income and resources can affect eligibility for SSI or the amount that you receive as benefits each month.
Many states pay SSI recipients a state supplement, so if you live in one of those states, you receive more than only the federal payment each month. The following states do not currently pay a state-funded supplement:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- North Dakota
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
States that offer supplements set the amount and conditions for them. For example, some states only pay a supplement to SSI recipients residing in group, family care, or adult care homes.
National Disability Experts can determine whether you qualify for state supplemental payments and help you apply for them and other benefits your state may offer to SSI recipients. For example, many states make Medicaid health coverage automatically available to people who qualify for SSI. Other states require that you submit a separate application directly with the state to apply for Medicaid.
Talking to a Supplemental Security Income attorney at National Disability Experts can ensure you do not miss out on any benefits you’re entitled to from state or federal disability programs.
If you lose SSI benefits because of income from working, you may not have to go through the entire application process to qualify for SSI benefits, depending on how long it’s been since you last received an SSI payment. You can be reinstated to the SSI program simply by contacting a local Social Security Administration office and letting them you that you cannot work because of your medical condition.
Expedited reinstatement may be available if it’s been over 12 months since you last received an SSI payment. You are eligible for expedited reinstatement if you meet the following requirements:
- Your benefits stopped because of earnings from working.
- You no longer can work or do substantial gainful activities.
- Your inability to engage in work activities results from a disability caused by the same or a related impairment that allowed you to qualify for disability benefits initially.
The request for expedited reinstatement must be made within five years from the date your SSI benefits stopped.
A highly qualified SSI attorney at National Disability Experts can review your case and determine the best way to seek reinstatement when disability benefits have been interrupted. Depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible for provisional benefits for six months while Social Security determines whether to reinstate full benefits.
You should apply for SSI benefits as soon as you think you meet the eligibility requirements. Waiting may actually cause you to lose out on benefits.
The initial determination process conducted by the Social Security Administration after it receives your application for SSI takes a long time. It can take even longer if you do not include all the information and documentation to support the claim for benefits.
People generally do not realize that even though the determination process takes a long time, you receive benefits back to the date of your application once approved. The best course of action is to submit your application as soon as possible after getting advice and guidance from a National Disability Experts SSI lawyer.