SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
WHAT ARE SSI BENEFITS?
Supplemental Security Income benefits are an addition to SSD benefits. However, even if you have never worked, your may be able to get SSI benefits. The SSI program provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below certain financial limits.
In other words, the benefit adds to your SSD benefit if it is low. SSI is also designed to give you monthly income to bring you to a certain standard of living when you have a condition that prevents you from working. SSI is a Federal program funded by general taxes (not Social Security taxes). It provides monthly payments to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. The base monthly federal amount varies and depends on your living situation and income. For more information read our article SSI Benefits – What You Need to Know.
Not everyone gets the same amount of SSI benefit. You may get more money if you live in a state that adds money to the federal SSI payment. Similarly, you may get less if you have other income such as wages, pensions, or Social Security benefits. You may also get less if someone pays your bills or rent. Or, you may get less if you live with a spouse and he or she has income. You might be able to get SSI if your resources are worth $2,000 or less. A couple may be able to get SSI if they have resources worth $3,000 or less.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SSI AND SSD BENEFITS
Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits are different than Social Security Disability (“SSD”) benefits. SSI benefits are a “supplement” to SSD benefits, paid to you if your monthly SSD benefit is a low amount of money.
You can also receive SSI if you have never had a job or if you have only worked for a short period of time. In order to win SSI benefits you must meet SSA’s rules. SSI benefits also come with Medicaid benefits. Medicaid is an insurance benefit that pays for your visits to the doctor. Also, find out more about garnishment of SSI benefits here.
However, you must also qualify by not having significant assets (a cabin, a boat) or money (more than $2000 saved in the bank). The financial rules that govern SSI are complex. Therefore, you need the help of an SSI benefits attorney to help you understand if you can get SSI benefits. Our office is in Salt Lake City, but our attorneys can help you wherever you live.
Many parents wish to qualify for SSI benefits simply to obtain Medicaid. This makes sense considering that medical bills cost so much. Unfortunately, in order to qualify for Medicaid you usually must also qualify for SSI benefits. However, this is not true in all circumstances, so make sure that you apply for Medicaid. If you qualify for even one dollar of SSI benefits, then you usually receive Medicaid benefits too.
YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR BOTH SSI AND SSDI PAYMENTS
SSI is a benefit for those who have never worked. Or, the benefits are for children with a severe disability. Typically, you will know if your child has a severe condition because your child will be struggling in school and also struggling at home. Or, your child may be in a hospital, institution, or live in a home with special supports in place.
You or your child may qualify for Supplemental Security Income benefits. Each state sets the amount of SSI benefits for its’ citizens. Typically, winning SSI benefits means you also qualify for Medicaid. Contact Cannon Disability Law now at and find out for free if you or your child qualify for disability benefits.
You may also qualify for SSI if you have worked, but have earned a low income. For example, perhaps you work at a job with low wages and you rely on tips. Likewise, maybe you are a waiter or an airport baggage handler. These jobs may have a low wage, but because you pay taxes you still qualify for SSD benefits.
FILING A CONCURRENT CLAIM OR QUALIFYING FOR BOTH SSDI AND SSI BENEFITS
If you have worked and earned a low wage, you could qualify for a combination of both SSI and SSD benefits. The SSA calls this a “concurrent claim” for benefits. SSI benefits add onto SSD benefits.
Together, the two benefits, can bring you to a higher monthly benefit amount than one benefit alone. However, in order to win SSI, you must have a severe mental or physical condition and be unable to work for 12 months or longer. Additionally, you must meet SSA’s income and asset rules.
SSI benefits are also available to children who have a severe physical or mental condition. Of course, winning benefits depends on two factors. First, the child must have a physical or mental condition that meets or equals SSA’s rules. Second, the income and assets of the parents must be low enough that the child qualifies for SSI under the financial factors. For more information as to the signs that you will win your SSI case, read here.
OUR SALT LAKE CITY SSI ATTORNEYS WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS FOR FREE
The lawyers and staff at Cannon Disability Law can help you file your application for SSI benefits online at Social Security’s website. Usually, we can tell you over the phone if you or your child have a good chance of winning SSD and SSI benefits. Call us at (801) 322-2121 or fill out our contact form and we will answer your questions for free about obtaining disability benefits.
If you want to win SSI benefits, you need to take the first step and call us now. Hire our experienced team of attorneys to help you with your case. You need to go to the doctor, counselor, or treating medical source to prove that you deserve benefits.
Your medical records are the information we will need to prove to the SSA that you meet the disability criteria. Don’t worry. Your job is to go to the doctor and get treatment for your condition. We will help you collect the medical records you need to prove you cannot work due to your physical or mental condition to the SSA.
IF YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR SSI CLAIM REACH OUT TO US
If you need help in finding free medical care, use the list of free and low-cost medical resources on our website. Taking the first step, by calling us, is what you need to do to begin your journey to winning benefits. Don’t be worried to reach out to our legal team. It won’t cost you anything.
Our legal team wants to help you. We offer a free review and discussion of your case. What that means is that you can call us and explain your situation. At that point, we will look at the merits of your case for free and let you know if you have a chance to qualify for SSI benefits. We do not charge you for our review of your case. In fact, there is no attorney fee for you to pay until we win your benefits for you.
There are many reasons to hire an SSDI and SSI attorney. But the first reason is it pays to hire an attorney with the proper legal experience. Our legal team has the experience you need to win your benefits.
In the past 30 years, we have won over $100 million in ongoing and past due SSDI and SSI benefits for our clients. If you need our help, then call us. We are experts at what we do and we will put our knowledge to work for you. Hire us to be your Social Security legal team.
