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[S1160]Supplemental Security Income Benefits

by Packard Lapray, Pac

If you're unable to earn a living and have a very limited income, there's a chance that you qualify for Supplemental Security Income Benefits. If eligible, you could receive up to more than $7000 per year.

While rarely approved on the first application, it's quite possible to receive SSI on appeal. It's important to remember, however, that social security law is complex and the governmental red tape can seem endless.

SSI Lawyers Can Help

The lawyers at Packard Packard & LaPray can help you know your options, and cut through the red tape of forms, questionnaires, medical records and appeals. The disability is not retroactive, so it's important to file as soon as possible. For more information, contact us today.

Who Is Eligible For SSI?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a monthly payment based on need. Unlike social security benefits, earned work credits are not a requirement for SSI. To receive SSI, an individual must prove:

1) That he or she is at least 65 years of age or older, OR
2) That he or she is disabled. Disability means inability to engage in any significantly gainful employment because of a significant physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for 12 months or more, OR
3) *That he or she is blind.

In addition to meeting one of the above criteria, to receive SSI a claimant must show that his or her income must be below certain limits. The income limits are different, depending on the state the individual lives in, and the number of people living in the residence. Also total household income cannot exceed $2000 for a single person, and $3000 for a married individual. Other factors also play an important role in determining whether a person is eligible to receive SSI. Ultimately, it is important to contact an attorney to find out whether or not SSI can be paid.

Benefit details

The SSI program provides a monthly cash benefit of up to $637 for a person to help pay for the cost of basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing. In most states, SSI eligibility usually assures concurrent access to important medical coverage under the various state Medicaid programs and sometimes access to Section 8 housing benefits. In some states, supplemental payments are made by the state, increasing the cash assistance available through SSI. For example, the state of California increases the cash assistance by up to $233 per month as of 2007.

The SSI program's main targetsare the poverty-stricken individuals who have a lack of resources to pay forbasic needs like food, shelter and clothing. The program intends to give incometo needy individuals who were disabled and/or have reached the elderly age of65 and above, for as long as they have adequately met the program's incomerequirements.

The SSA carefully administers andenforces the SSI program's income requirements. By doing these, the governmentis assured of providing benefit only to people who have limited resources andinadequate income. The SSA carefully evaluates those who are elderly, disabledand has impairments that are qualified to receive Supplemental Security Incomebenefits (SSI benefits).

What is Income and Resources?

Income is the money an individualearns or receives every week or month through a job, unemployment benefits, VAbenefits, pension, family members and other relatives, and friends.

Resources, meanwhile, pertain tothe money an individuals is safekeeping in a bank or accounts for investmentlike 401k/IRA, savings bonds, mutual funds, stocks, and CDs, as well asproperties an individual may have, aside from the primary residence, trustfunds, vehicles excluding one, life insurance policies.

These are considered limited whenthe sum value equals to $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for married couples.

Those applying for SSI benefitswhose assets have surpassed these sum value will not be considered eligible.

Where do the SSI benefits comefrom?

The money being used for the SSIcomes from the Federal income tax revenues and not from the Trust Fund of theSocial Security.

Provisions of SSI benefits do notbase eligibility on the individual's employment or job history; it is basedmore on the needs of the individual.

How to qualify for SSI benefits

SSI Program requirements:

United States legal resident and have not left the country "for more than 30 days"

Citizens of the United States and eligible for benefits (Some resident aliens are also given opportunity to avail of SSI benefits, given several conditions)

Meet the requirements, both Medical and non-medical

For those under 65 years old, they must meet the requirements of being disabled through evaluation of the state Disability Determination Service (DDS)

For children under 18 years of age, similar disability requirements are also needed.

For those who are 65 years old and above, they need not meet the requirements for disability and need only to meet the non-medical requirements by the SSI program.

What are the SSI benefits?

- Individuals who qualify for benefits under the SSIprogram receive Medicaid. This is a "health insurance plan" intendedfor needy citizens.

Many States baseeligibility for Medicaid program according to an individual's SSI eligibility.

Meanwhile, someStates use other terms for programs that are equivalent to the Medicaid. Forexample, in the state of California the program, which essentially is Medicaid,is called MediCal.

- In several States, SSI eligibility also qualifies theindividuals and their family to avail of food stamps. Local Social Services ineach area can be consulted for qualifications to receive food stamps.

If you need help concerning yourSupplemental Security Income benefits in California, our well-established lawfirm, Mesriani Law Group has expert Social Security Disability attorneys are atyour service. Please visit our website at

Article Source : Pg. 11

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Both Packard Lapray & Lala C. Ballatan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Packard Lapray has sinced written about articles on various topics from Social Security Information, Vitamin and Mineral Supplement. For more information, contact a right away.. Packard Lapray's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.

Lala C. Ballatan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Legal Matters, Mortgage and Car Accidents. Lala C. Ballatan a.k.a Kay Zetkin discovered the pleasure of writing through her daily journals way back when she was 10. With writing, she felt freedom – to express her viewpoints and assert it, to bring out all concerns -- imagined and observed, to bear. Lala C. Ballatan's top article generates over 301000 views. to your Favourites.