 SSDRC What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI? If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits? How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition? What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare? How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid? Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability? What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits? Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression? Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits? Social Security Disability Status Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts |
What are the Application Requirements For SSI Disability?How to prove you are disabled and win disability benefits Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is one of two disability programs administered by the SSA (social security administration). Both SSD and SSI require the claimant to prove, through medical records, that he has a severe mental or physical impairment that is not expected to improve over a period of 12 months or more, which prevents him from engaging in substantial gainful activity (earning a certain amount each month: the SGA, or substantial gainful activity limit). However, unlike SSD, the SSI program requires applicants to also prove financial need. Even if an applicant is judged to be severely impaired and unable to work, he cannot collect SSI unless his total assets are valued at no more than $2,000 ($3,000 for a couple). In determining the total value of an applicant’s assets, Social Security includes anything of value, including stocks, bonds, retirement accounts, land, jewelry, surrender value of insurance policies, etc. However, your residence and one car (the car of highest value) are excluded from this calculation. If you are applying for SSI, your first step is to fill out an application for disability and submit it, along with your medical and work histories, to your local Social Security office. Assuming your medical records indicate that you have a disabling physical or mental condition which prevents you from working, you could be eligible for SSI provided you meet the income and resource requirements. SSI disability applicants must all undergo an end line interview with Social Security to determine if they still qualify for SSI, even after a disability examiner has approved their claim on the basis of a medical condition. At this interview, Social Security will ask if anything has changed in the individual’s financial picture, including his or her living arrangements (Social Security takes into account how much a person must contribute to household expenses before deciding his or her monthly SSI benefit.) SSI requirements, unlike SSD requirements, focus not only on the applicant’s medical condition but on his or her financial need. If you do not meet the financial requirements for SSI, your disability application will either be denied at the outset (it won’t even make it to a disability examiner’s desk for consideration) or at the end line interview, regardless of the severity of your impairment. Additional Information: What is the SSI and Social Security Disability Application Wait Time? What happens if my Social Security Disability Application is denied? The Levels Of The Social Security Disability and SSI Application and Appeal Process 
Return to: SSDRC, or the Questions, Answers, Tips, and Advice page Individual Questions and Answers SSD and SSI are Federal Programs The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here: Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials |