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SSI Benefits - what do they include and how long does it takeSocial Security administers a need based program known as Supplemental Security Income, or, more commonly, as SSI. SSI disability requires that an individual meet certain resource and income limits, before being eligible to receive monetary disability benefits. What is considered a resource under Supplemental Security Income rules? Vehicles (cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, etc.), land (other than the land you live on including any land you own that is connected to the land your home is located upon), cash, jewelry, antiques, stocks, bonds, trusts, etc. Basically a resource is any item that can be converted to cash. What are the asset, or resource, limits for SSI. The resource limits are $2000.00 for an individual and $3000.00 for a couple. Additionally, the SSI disability program considers the following as income: pensions, veteran’s benefits, rental income, unemployment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and earnings from work. Generally, income limits change yearly. Now that we have discussed some non-medical qualifying information about SSI disability, what are the benefits of the program? SSI offers monetary benefits to both children and adults, if they are found disabled under Social Security disability rules and guidelines. The medical determination process for Social Security disability and SSI disability are the same. As with social security disability, SSI claims are sent the state agency responsible for processing Social Security disability medical determinations. If an individual’s initial SSI disability claim is denied, the individual will have to begin the appeal process. Of course, you may be wondering what the SSI appeal process involves? The SSI and Social Security Income appeal process begins with the reconsideration appeal level and potentially can be taken through the Federal Court system However, the appeal process usually ends with a disability hearing conducted by an administrative law judge. Of course, a few individuals who are denied at at a hearing appeal the administrative law judge’s decision. They do this by appealing through the Appeals Council and even Federal Court. However an appeal to Federal Court level is rare. As you can see, it may take months or even years to receive a SSI disability benefits approval, since not all disability claims are allowed once the appeal process is completed. Some individuals may have to complete the disability appeals process more than once to receive an approval, and some may never receive an approval. For more information on: Social Security Disability and SSI Disability.
A few words about Elder Law 
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