You might qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits if you have any of the following issues you are unable to keep a job, you have a serious medical impairment or you have limited financial resources. Once you qualify, you will receive a benefit check on a monthly basis to supplement your existing income.
Deciding to apply for SSI is not easy. You need to gather as much information and documentation regarding your medical problem, current financial situation and the state of your ability to hold down a job. Don’t be in a rush, because it can take up to a year to get approved or denied. In order to not slow down the process, be prepared to provide a lot of documentation that backs up your claim. This will keep the process moving, and improve your odds of being approved. Make sure that you pass the initial qualifications before you apply so that you don’t waste your time. SSI is different from SSDI which stands for Social Security Disability Insurance. People who apply for SSDI have worked for a long period of time and paid into the system prior to applying. People who apply for SSI have no lengthy work history or pre-payments.
Qualifying for SSI, your medical impairment should be of the type that will last more than one year, or be grave enough where the expected end is death. You have to be disabled for five months or more before you can start collecting benefits, and you must provide supporting documentation when you file your SSI claim. This includes things like proof of doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, medications, medical test results and any therapeutic treatments you’ve received. Supplying more medical information to substantiate your claim, the higher your chances of being approved.
SSI will check to see if your disabling condition is on their List of Impairments. The list documents conditions that are serious enough to be disabling. If your medical impairment is listed, your chances of being approved are increased, but you still have to prove that you have the listed condition. SSI will need an abundance of medical data to substantiate your diagnosis.
After getting all of you documentation, you should make application for benefits by applying at your local Social Security office. You can also apply online. Expect to wait a minimum of 90 days and as long as one year to have your claim reviewed. You should also be aware that only 30% of the claims are granted in the initial application period. If you have a claim that’s denied, ask for reconsideration so that your application is reviewed a second time. If it’s denied again, you have the right to file an appeal. Appeals are processed in 90 days or more just like the initial application.
Many people hire a disability attorney to assist them with their claim after they’ve received a denial of their claim for SSI benefits. Being represented by an experienced attorney who specializes in disability law can help you in obtaining a positive outcome in your claim for SSI.
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