If you’re suffering from a disability or low income, you will be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits. SSI is a federal assistance program that provides financial help to people with disabilities, along with those who are sixty five or older and have limited income and resources. When you apply for SSI benefits, it can be a complicated and difficult procedure. In this blog post, we will cover the 5 most common issues and reveal how you can overcome them to gain access to your SSI benefits.
Issue #1: Eligibility Requirements
Before you apply for SSI benefits, it’s essential to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), to be eligible for SSI benefits, you need to:
Be sixty five or older, blind, or disabled
Have restricted earnings and assets
Be a U.S. Citizen or national, or in one among certain categories of aliens.
Reside in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands
Not be absent from the U. S. A. for a complete calendar month or greater than 30 consecutive days
If you’re uncertain whether you meet the eligibility necessities, you can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (or TTY 1-800-325-0778 if you are deaf or hard of hearing) to get greater information.
Issue #2: Completing the Application Forms
When you apply for ssi benefits, it may be an overwhelming experience, especially if you are not familiar with the documents and forms needed. Don’t fret, there is good news. You are not on your own when completing this part. There are experts that can assist you in completing the forms. They can also help you get the files you need to ensure that you meet the SSI eligibility requirements.
Issue #3: Medical Information
If you’re applying for SSI benefits due to a disability, you’ll need to provide the SSA with your medical records. The SSA will use these to decide whether or not you meet the definition of disability according to their guidelines. If the medical records needed are not available, the SSA will help you get medical exam or check up.
Issue #4: Appeals
If the SSA makes a decision that you aren’t eligible for SSI benefits, or if you disagree with the monthly amount they offer, then you have the right to appeal. You can appeal most decisions the SSA makes about whether you may get SSI or SSDI benefits or the quantity of SSI. You can also ask to view or access the copies of your records.
Issue #5: Post-Entitlement Events
When you get approved for SSI benefits, there are certain situations that may affect your eligibility. For instance, if you start working or your income and earnings change, you may no longer be eligible for SSI benefits. It is important to understand this and how it may have an effect on your benefits. You can get help from SOAR-educated case workers to help you with navigating these situations to keep your eligibility.
Conclusion
Applying for SSI benefits can be a complex and confusing process, but you don’t have to go through it alone. There are resources available to help you overcome these common issues that people face when applying for SSI benefits. Click on the link below and contact an expert today to get the help you need to access your SSI benefits.