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.

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.