SSI vs. SSD.

No, this is not the next big Star Wars movie.  These are the acronyms that stand for Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability (Also known as disability insurance benefits).  SSD is available to those that have accumulated a sufficient number of “work credits”.  SSI is available to those that may have never worked enough or not at all.

Supplemental Security Income is “need based”.  The funds come from a general tax fund NOT a trust fund…so they should last through our lifetimes.  Do you qualify for SSI?  Here is an important point…you must have under $2000 in assets ($3,000 if married).  When do benefits begin?  The answer is on the first month after you submit your application.

Knowing the ins and outs of SSI, SSD, and, oh yes another one abbreviated SSDI (we will delve into that later) can be complicated.  Lyle Clark is a Seattle area attorney that will help you navigate through these Social Security waters.  Why not give him a call and arrange for a meeting at his Bellevue office by calling (425) 452-3092.

A Short SSI Tutorial.

What does SSI stand for?  In every state in the union it is provided for by the federal government under the Social Security Act.  The SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income.  The purpose of the program is to provide income to people who do not have sufficient earnings credits to qualify for regular Social Security disability insurance benefits (SSDI).  For millions of Americans this may be the difference between abject poverty and a comfortable subsistence.  So, let us get to the root of the matter and find out who qualifies.

According to the Social Security Act, "disability" means the "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by diagnosis of any medically recognized physician or mental impairment which can be expected to last for an extended period of not less than 12 months or result in death.”  After meeting this medical standard, applicants for SSI must also prove that they meet certain financial limitations. For example, there is a limit of $2,000 on liquid assets, such as cash, money in the bank, CD’s, IRA’s and the like.

That is rather specific, isn’t it?  To find out if you qualify for Supplemental Security Income you should seek the advice of an attorney.  In the Seattle area Lyle M. Clark has been an SSI lawyer for more than three decades.  He may have answers to your social security disability questions.  Give him a call at (425) 452-3092 for a possible appointment at his Bellevue office.

SSI for Those Under 18.

Most of the time when we think of SSI (Supplemental Security Income) we think of people who have been in the workforce and are now in need of financial assistance.  SSI is financed by general funds of the US Treasury and not based on your prior work history like we have come to know Social Security.

SSI beneficiaries are also eligible for medical assistance known as Medicaid (Not Medicare).  This pays for a myriad of health issues such as hospital stays, prescription drugs, visits to the doctor, and other various health-related expenses.  To begin, you should secure The Child Disability Starter Kit.  Read this first.

The next step is to contact the right attorney to guide you in this process.  Why?  Because the legal issues surrounding a child’s disability claims may become quite complex.  The right choice is Seattle area SSI attorney Lyle Clark.  For decades, he has helped families navigate through the legal system.  Call for a consultation at his Bellevue, WA office at (425) 452-3092.

The Million Man Waiting List.

You may have heard of the Million Man March.  And recently, millions gathered in Washington, DC to protest the inauguration of the new president.  You may not have been a part of any of that, but you may now be effected by this new euphemism: the Million Man Waiting List.  It is something of which you may need to be aware.

For some, it may be the stuff of nightmares.  You or a loved one may have been permanently injured in an auto accident or have a serious medical condition or mental illness.  You can no longer work for a living and your only recourse is to apply for disability insurance benefits or SSI.  Then you go to the Social Security office and find out that the average wait time is more than a year and a half if your initial application is turned down and you need to appeal!

You must take action, or struggle without any visible means of support.  That is when you decide to call Seattle area disability attorney Lyle M. Clark, Jr.  Attorney Clark has spent the last four decades fighting for the “little guy” who needs to receive his or her rightful benefits to survive.  Arrange an appointment at his Bellevue, WA office by calling (425) 452-3092.

Termination of Disability Benefits.

Maybe you were under the mistaken belief that Social Security disability means “total disability”.  Now you are all set … the benefits will continue indefinitely.  Surprise!  That is not correct.  Disability means that the claimant has a medical condition that prevents him or her from working.  Thus, benefits are payable only so long as you remain unable to work.   Social Security performs continuing disability reviews periodically to assess ongoing eligibility.

For most people, continuing disability reviews occur every three years.  If you are deemed medically able to resume work, your benefits may be terminated.  Reviews may occur earlier than three years if the Social Security Administration believes that your condition is likely to improve sooner.

Legally, the burden of proof regarding your continued claim of disability lies with SSA, and the agency often makes mistakes in applying the rules for terminating benefits.  You may elect to continue receiving your benefits while you appeal, but you must make the election within ten days.  If you receive a termination notice you should contact a disability attorney immediately.   Call an attorney who knows the ins and outs of social security disability claims in the State of Washington.  You can’t afford to waste another minute!  Contact Social Security disability attorney Lyle Clark at (425) 452-3092.

Minors Applying for SSI

If you need to apply for SSI for someone under the age of 18 you need to know some of the rules.  The first step will be to complete an application for Supplemental Security Income AND a child disability report.  In this report you will delineate the specific disabling condition of the child and how it affects their ability to function.

Here are some helpful steps to begin your journey –

1.  Look over the Child Disability Starter Kit.  You will have basic questions answered and have a worksheet from which to work.

2.  Contact your local Social Security office.  Find out if you are within the income limits to start the process.

3.  Fill out the report online.  You will be asked for a medical release to allow Social Security to obtain records from the child’s doctor(s) in order to assess the nature of the disability.

The legal issues relating to child’s disability claims are complex.  If your application is denied you need to seek the counsel of someone who is intimately familiar with the process.  In the Seattle area that man is Lyle M. Clark Jr.  Lyle is a professional SSI attorney located in Bellevue, WA.  Tap into his more than three and a half decades of experience on matters of obtaining SSI benefits for a minor by calling (425) 452-3092.

The Differences Between SSDI and SSI.

Perhaps the most important thing to understand is that both SSDI and SSI are for disabled individuals seeking cash benefits due to inability to work.  These two programs differ, however when it comes to financial eligibility.  SSDI stands for Social Security Disability Insurance.  SSI, on the other hand, is Supplemental Security Income.

While both SSDI and SSI require medical proof that a claimant is unable to work, the two programs have different financial qualifications.  SSI is a “need based” program for people of Washington State and throughout America.  It has nothing to do with work history, but rather is available to people without other sources of income and assets from which to support themselves.  SSDI gets its funding by levying taxes on everyone’s payroll.  By working over many years you have “contributed” to this fund and may be entitled to benefits while you remain disabled or until you reach your full retirement age.

The layman would never be expected to know all of the ins-and-outs of SSDI and SSI.  This is why you should call on the professional expertise of someone who has been dealing with their nuances for three and a half decades. In the Seattle area that man is Lyle M. Clark Jr., an experienced SSDI and SSI attorney.  Call him on any and all of these matters at (425) 452-3092.