Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI as it commonly known, is a needs-based program that provides monthly benefits to persons who are considered disabled and low income. This program was designed for individuals who either have never worked or those who haven’t worked enough in the recent years to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance. A person applying for this program must not only overcome the hurdle of substantiating their disability but also prove that they meet the income and asset guidelines of the program.
Unlike Social Security Disability benefits, SSI benefits are funded by general funds from the U.S. Treasury and not withheld from workers’ paychecks under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. The amount of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) monthly benefits differ from state to state. Upon a free review of disability case, we can provide you the current maximum amounts in California.
In additional to monetary monthly benefits, SSI recipients in California also receive Medi-Cal health insurance as well as Cal-Fresh (formerly known as food stamps) to help pay for doctor bills, prescriptions and other health care costs.
Basic Qualifications for SSI Disability
As briefly discussed above, to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Disability benefits, an applicant must substantiate that they are not able to work due to suffering from a severe mental and/or physical impairment(s) as well as that they have limited income and resources. Furthermore, the applicant must be a resident of the United States and not be absent from the country for more than 30 days, and be either a U.S. citizen or in one of certain categories of eligible non-citizens.
Applying for SSDI and SSI at the same time
In California, SSI recipients receive an additional supplementary payment from the state, giving them a monthly benefit amount that’s higher than the federal amount. The amount of supplement paid depends on whether you are single or married and on whether you live in a nursing home, assisted living, or on your own.
Individuals who receive SSDI payments which are not significant may additionally apply for SSI to supplement their income, assuming they meet the limited income and resource requirements discussed above. For example, if an individual applies for SSDI and is entitled to only $270 per month, he/she can also apply for SSI at the same time, and this would raise the individual’s benefits to the state’s maximum amount allowed for SSI. To reiterate, the amount each individual will receive will depend on their household expenses, income, and other factors.
If you have any questions about whether you may qualify for SSI, please feel free to contact us.
Our firm handles only Social Security and SSI Disability claims and nothing else. We can initiate a new Social Security Disability application or help you appeal a denied one. Once a claim is denied, we urge clients to request a Social Security appeal in Glendale, or your local Social Security office. However, prior to doing so, it is important for you to consult with one of our Social Security Disability Attorneys. Remember, we don’t get paid until you win. So go ahead, give us a call or fill out the Free Case Evaluation form below and let us help you get the benefits you deserve.