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Supplemental Security Income Benefits and Your Right to Appeal

Unlike the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program which imposes stricter eligibility requirements for claimants, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is open to all Americans as long as they are poor, old, and disabled.

Hence, more people apply for SSI benefits as they merely need to comply with the following qualifications:

• Have low income and few resources
• 65-years old or older
• Blind
• Disabled

Other eligibility requirements also include:

• You must be a U.S. or the Northern Mariana Islands resident and be a U.S. citizen or national
• There are different income requirements or limits per state however, the SSA generally includes your income with your spouse or with your parents (if the applicant is younger than 18 years old). If you are disabled but you are employed, SSA does not include the wages you use to pay for items and services that enable you to work.
• A single person may have resources worth up to $2,000 and still get SSI. A couple can have resources worth up to $3,000.

But of course, even if you manage to meet all of the above-mentioned requirements, there are still instances when your SSI claim is rejected. The denial of your application however, does not mean that you do not have the right to receive SSI benefits. It’s quite possible that even if you have a valid claim, the Social Security office just failed to properly review your application or the denial of your claim can also be because you failed to prove your disability or lacked the necessary documents to establish your claim.

This is why all SSI or even SSDI disability benefits claimants have the right to appeal the decision on their claim. However, at this point, you may need to have legal counsel or even an expert help you out.

A social security disability lawyer can certainly provide you representation services and legal assistance to help prove your claim for benefits. As the appeals process involves 4 other levels, he will be an invaluable ally in gathering the information you need and presenting the necessary evidence and witnesses you need especially in the hearing process.

In Los Angeles, there are many social security disability lawyers who assist you with your SSI claim or appeal for benefits.

San Fernando Valley - (Satellite Office)

5850 Canoga Ave., Suite 400
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
1-818-401-4747
info@mesriani.com