Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that pays benefits to disabled adults and children with limited income and resources. SSI does not require that beneficiaries have paid into the system; it is for people age 65 and over, disabled people, and persons who are blind. SSI recipients must have an income that is under an established threshold.
Who receives SSI? 19.6 percent of disabled people ages 21 to 64 received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in 2011; that amounts to 3,693,300 people who received payments that year. Despite the large number of people receiving SSI, most initial applications for SSI benefits are denied. That’s one reason why, if you become disabled, you’ll want legal help from an experienced Social Security disability attorney. A good disability lawyer can do much more than simply help with your application for benefits; if your initial application is denied, a good disability lawyer will compile the medical records, testimony, and other evidence to demonstrate that you are eligible for benefits. You want to hire an attorney who’s had plenty of experience with the Social Security appeals process.
When an attorney acts as your representative, it allows your attorney to obtain information directly from the Social Security Administration (SSA) about your claim and to receive any notices and updates from the SSA regarding your claim. If you haven’t yet applied, if your disability application was denied, or if you are at any stage of the application process, seek the counsel of an experienced disability attorney who can help you understand how Social Security makes decisions about disabilities. A good Social Security disability lawyer will also help you to prove to the SSA that you are entitled to benefits. It can be a lengthy process; get started by contacting an experienced Social Security disability attorney right away.