Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income Lawyers

SSI Benefits Lawyers

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a disability need-based program that is intended to help those who would not otherwise qualify for SSDI or whose SSDI payments would be very low. In general, people who have not earned enough work credits, those who have never worked, those who became disabled before they could work and children with disabilities can all obtain SSI benefits.

This eligibility is only possible if their assets and income do not exceed certain minimal limits.

Milam Law offers experienced legal help for SSI claims across California's Central Valley. This is all that we do. Since founding our practice in 1990, attorney Jeffrey Milam and the rest of our team have helped clients from Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno and throughout Northern California obtain the disability benefits that they deserve.

Information on this website is provided as a service of Milam Law. Contact us regarding Social Security Disability claims and denials.

Supplemental Security Income Attorneys

There are many issues that you need to consider if you are planning to apply for SSI benefits or if you have already had a claim for SSI benefits denied.

SSI recipients are entitled to Medi-Cal benefits when found disabled, but only the individual who is disabled can obtain benefits. This is in contrast to SSD benefits, where the child of someone who has earned enough work credits can qualify. Likewise, unlike SSD benefits, SSI benefits have much lower limits.

Speak With an Attorney for More Information About SSI Benefits

The sooner that you speak with an attorney, the better off that you will be when applying for Social Security Disability benefits. Our offices are located within an hour's drive of most places between Bakersfield and Sacramento. If you cannot get to our office, we can also work by phone, email or facsimile. Call us for a no-cost initial consultation.

What is SSI?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides monthly payments to people who have limited income and few resources. SSI is for people who are 65 or older, as well as for those of any age, including children, who are blind or who have disabilities.

To get SSI, you must:

- Be age 65 or older
- Be totally or partially blind
- Have a medical condition that keeps you from working and is expected to last at least once year or result in death.
There are different rules for children.

How much can you get?

The basic monthly SSI payment for 2018 is the same nationwide. It is:

-$750 for one person 
-$1125 for a couple
Not everyone gets the same amount. You may get more if you live in a state that adds money to the federal SSI payment. You may receive less if you or your family has other income. Where and with whom you live also makes a difference in the amount of your SSI payment. 

How do you qualify for SSI?

Your income 

Your Income includes the money you earn, your social security benefits, your pensions and the value of items you get from someone else, such as food and shelter. Where you live affects the amount of income you can have each month and still get SSI, Different states have different rules.

Things You Own

You may be able to get SSI if your resources(the things you own) are worth no more than $2,000 for a person or $3,000 for a married couple living together. We don't count everything you own we decide if you can get SSI. For Example, We don't count a house you own if you live in it, and we usually don't count your car.We do count cash, bank accounts, stocks and bonds.

You must be U.S Resident

You must live in a united states or Northen Mariana Islands to get SSI.
If you're not a U.S. citizen, but you are lawfully residing in the United States, you still may be able to get SSI. For more information, read Supplemental Security (SSI) for Noncitizens(Publication No. 05-11051)

The Difference Between SSDI and SSI

Two Sources of Financial Help for People With Disabilities

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are separate and distinct programs sharing one common purpose ... helping Americans who are unable to work or support themselves because of a disability. These programs were not part of the Social Security Act originally when signed into law by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but were added in later years.

Both programs, SSDI and SSI, are run by the Social Security Administration (SSA), and are similar in other respects as well. The claims process is the same. The appeals process is the same. The basic age requirements and having a disability that will prevent you from doing any work for at least one year are the same as well.

Milam Law offers experienced legal help for SSDI and SSI claims alike. In fact, this is the only work we do. Call or contact us today for a free consultation. Our lawyers represent clients throughout California's Central Valleys.

How Do the Two Programs Differ?

SSDI is an insurance-based program funded by the Social Security taxes withheld from payroll checks. To be entitled to receive SSDI benefits, you must have worked sufficient years and paid Social Security taxes. There must be a total of 10 years of work except for younger individuals. In addition, you have to be disabled within 5 years of the date you stopped working, usually. Generally, the more you have worked, earned and paid into the system - the more compensation you will be eligible to receive if disabled.

SSI is a need-based program intended to help those who would not otherwise qualify for SSDI or whose SSDI payments would be very low. In general, people who have not earned enough work credits, those who never worked (like "stay home moms"), those who became disabled before they could work, and children with disabilities can obtain SSI benefits - provided their assets and income do not exceed certain limits.

What else should you know?

· SSI recipients are entitled to Medi-Cal benefits when found disabled;

· SSD recipients receive Medicare coverage but must wait up to 24 months after they become disabled before those benefits actually start.

· Lawful permanent residents may face special challenges to obtaining benefits from either program.

· With SSI, only the individual who is disabled can obtain benefits; with SSD, the child of someone who has earned enough work credits can qualify

· You can work and earn money while receiving benefits from either program but the allowable earnings limits for SSD recipients are much higher than the limits for SSI recipients

· If you work while a claim is pending, many rules can apply. Generally, you can work up to three months and it not hurt your claim, particularly if you cannot continue working due to your disability. However, there are complex rules governing work efforts that last over 6 months, and all work efforts to some degree. For example, if you try to work, Social Security can view that effort as showing good motivation, but they can also see it as proof you can work if you try hard enough. It is a difficult area, and each case is somewhat individual in nature, so a case-by-case consideration is needed, preferably by an attorney.

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Our offices are located within an hour's drive of most places between Bakersfield and Sacramento.
For a free consultation with an attorney - call us or contact us by email.
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