Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be a source of monthly income for individuals who are disabled or blind. However, the federal government has established strict income and resource limits, as well as other qualifying criteria, that you must meet in order to receive SSI benefits. Contact a Marietta SSI lawyer and set up a time to potentially discuss legal options that could be effective for your SSI case.
If you meet these eligibility requirements, you could receive a monthly benefit to help meet your needs for basic subsistence. In order to determine your eligibility, you may want to have a knowledgeable Social Security disability attorney to evaluate your situation.
Defining Eligibility for SSI Benefits
Children under the age of 18—as well as those who are unmarried, under the age of 22, and attending school—may be able to receive monthly SSI benefits based on their disabilities in certain circumstances. Aside from household income and resources, such as those earned or owned by children’s parents or custodians, children may receive SSI if all three of the following conditions apply:
- One or more medically determinable physical or mental impairments;
- Their impairment(s) results in marked and severe functional limitations; and
- Their impairment (s) is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death.
Once children become adults, however, they may become subject to the definition of disability for adults established by the Social Security Administration (SSA). In order for adults to qualify for SSI benefits based on disability, they generally must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that makes them unable to do any substantial gainful activity and which is expected to last for 12 continuous months or result in death. A Marietta SSI attorney can help explain the different qualifications that may be needed to comply with the adult definition of disability.
Potential Income and Resource Limitations
The amount of monthly SSI benefits that individuals receive is commonly dependent on a variety of factors, including their income, resources available to them, and their household composition. Most types of income that individuals receive or earn do impact the amount of monthly SSI benefits that they typically will be entitled to receive.
However, some types of income do not affect the amount of monthly SSI benefits. These may include income tax refunds, the first $20 of income individuals receive each month, and the first $65 of earned income individuals receive each month.
Generally, individuals who receive SSI benefits cannot own more than $2,000 in resources. Like income, however, some resources are not countable when it comes to maintaining eligibility for SSI.
For example, a life insurance policy with a face value of no more than $1,500, burial plots for individuals and their spouses, and a primary home and vehicle all are non-countable assets for the purposes of SSI eligibility. An SSI lawyer in Marietta could help individual applicants determine which of their assets and sources of income may affect their eligibility for disability benefits.
Documents that May be Needed to Apply for SSI Benefits
There are a variety of documents that individuals may need to furnish to the SSA when they apply for SSI benefits. These documents may be necessary to prove:
- Proof of age
- Citizenship status
- Income
- Resources
- Living arrangements
- Medical sources
- Work history
Someone who is preparing to apply for SSI benefits may want to ensure that any documents used in the application are current. Using an expired document would put you at risk for a denial. An understanding Marietta SSI representative can explain which documents may satisfy a person’s application requirements.
Talk to a Marietta SSI Attorney to Get Your Questions Answered
If you, your child, or a loved one is disabled or blind with low income and few resources, SSI benefits may be a viable solution. Given the complexity of the SSA’s eligibility criteria and the many exceptions to the rules, you may greatly benefit from speaking with a Marietta SSI lawyer for more information about your individual situation. Call today to talk with our intake team about your case.
