Supplemental Security Income Attorneys

Everything you need to know about Supplemental Security Income and how LaPorte Law Firm’s attorneys can help you get your case approved

img SSI what is

What is SSI?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides monthly cash payments to US citizens in need who are blind, disabled, or 65 and older. In addition, you must also have little or no income and limited resources, meaning that the value of your possessions must be less than $2,000 if you are single or less than $3,000 if you are married. However, it should be noted that the value of any home or vehicle you own does not count against the resource limit, nor does the value of certain other resources, such as burial plots.

In order to receive SSI, you must also apply for any other cash benefits you are eligible for and you must live in the United States or the Northern Mariana Islands. If you are not a US citizen but hold permanent resident status, you still may be eligible for SSI.

SSI benefits are delivered via a single payment at the beginning of the month that contains your federal SSI benefit. In the state of California, a supplement from the state government is also included.

What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees both Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Although you are required to have a disability that leaves you unable to perform any substantial gainful activity in order to be eligible for both SSDI and SSI, the two programs vary significantly.

SSDI

SSI

SSDI

SSI

How the SSI application process works

SSA reviews your file for eligibility (income/asset/limitations)
If eligible, SSA sends your file to DDS for medical review
DDS requests your updated medical records
DDS may request a medical examination by a consultative examiner
DDS will have a medical consultant review your file
DDS either approves or denies your claim
SSA reviews your file for eligibility (income/asset/limitations)
If eligible, SSA sends your file to DDS for medical review
DDS requests your updated medical records
DDS may request a medical examination by a consultative examiner
DDS will have a medical consultant review your file
DDS either approves or denies your claim

What should I do if my initial application for SSI has been denied?

Unfortunately many SSI claims are unsuccessful initially, as navigating the complex application process is both tedious and daunting to anyone not familiar with the process. Without the expert guidance of an attorney, it’s easy for mistakes to creep in. However, with the support of a trusted legal advisor, you can still obtain your benefits by successfully appealing your case.

If your SSI application has been denied, LaPorte Law Firm stands ready to assist you throughout every step of the appeal process, which may include reconsideration, a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, an Appeals Council review, and federal court litigation.

Our experienced attorneys can help you with the SSI appeals process by:

Filing requests for reconsideration and requests for benefit continuation

Filing the relevant forms requesting a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge

Requesting an Appeals Council review

Obtaining and submitting new medical evidence to help with the approval process

Do I need a lawyer to appeal a denied claim for SSI?

Although not strictly required, navigating the appeal process with the help of an attorney familiar with the SSI application and appeal process will significantly improve your odds of winning your appeal.

Qualified SSI legal representation can help you with:

img SSI do i need lawyer

LaPorte Law Firm has over 40 years of experience in handling SSI claims

We have helped thousands of clients get the benefits they deserve, and we can help you too.

As your legal representative, we can help you by:

Tired of going it alone?

Get the assistance you need in three easy steps.

Free consultation call

Book a free 30- to 60-minute consultation call with us so we can assess your situation.

Evaluation by experts

Receive your free case evaluation from our experienced team, who can review your medical history and discuss how Social Security law applies to your situation.

Get started

Begin the onboarding process with LaPorte Law Firm if your case is taken on by the legal team.

The results you deserve

With over 40 years of service, LaPorte Law Firm has won thousands of claims and appeals for our clients.

Terry went above and beyond to get my brother approved for his Social Security benefits — jumping through many hoops in what should have been an easy process that was complicated by the unusual circumstances of the case. He fought through red tape and managed to get a successful outcome. His integrity and work ethic are fantastic!

Debbie Klahr

I have been wanting to personally thank your team, and Terry especially, for the hard work and help with my disability claim. I also got valuable suggestions from Terry about options to stay on disability while attending college. It has worked out really well and I have just finished my first semester back in school.

Greg Whitson

Excellent free consultation. The firm carefully studied my case, and I won! I was only charged after winning and didn’t have to pay out of pocket, because the fee was taken out of my disability payment. The only downside was the wait for my hearing, but that’s more on the SSA side. It took about 18 months.

Walt E.

How it works:

How we can help:

NO FEES UNLESS YOU WIN.

At LaPorte Law Firm, we only receive a fee if you win your case – so you have nothing to lose. We’re with you every step of the way.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Funded by general tax revenues as opposed to Social Security taxes, SSI provides monthly financial support covering eligible people’s basic needs. Those eligible for SSI are typically disabled, blind, or 65 and older with limited income and assets. As the monthly amount received is subject to a person’s financial resources, such as accommodation and income, extensive documentation related to these resources are to be submitted when applying for SSI. When attempting to receive SSI due to a disability, evidence of medical history must be provided.

It is possible to qualify for SSI if you are a US citizen or lawful resident who is 65 or older, or blind or disabled, and have limited income and resources. However, the following exceptions should be noted:

  • States that do not offer supplemental SSI payments are Arizona, Mississippi, North Dakota and West Virginia.
  • Residents of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam are not eligible for SSI. For more information on this, read our article on the Supreme Court ruling.
  • Although residents of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible for SSI, federal payments are not supplemented in the territory.

When filing for SSI, applicants are usually required to work with a Social Security representative, who will conduct an interview either in person or over the phone. However, in certain cases, SSI applicants can complete the application process online without having to be interviewed by a Social Security representative. This applies to applicants who are:

  • Aged 16 to 65
  • US citizens living in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands
  • Single and have not been married before
  • First-time SSI applicants
Yes, if you have a work history as well as limited income and resources, it is possible to qualify for SSI and SSDI. However, it should be noted that you can only collect whichever benefit is a higher amount.
Yes, income is considered by Social Security when determining whether an applicant is eligible for SSI as well as how much they will be paid. In general, the SSI benefit depends on the amount of countable income you have — the higher your countable income is, the less your SSI benefit will be. If your countable income is over the stipulated limit allowed by Social Security, then you will not be able to receive SSI benefits.

Award-winning service

Equipped with years of experience and thousands of successful cases, LaPorte Law Firm is the leading disability attorney in the Bay Area, and we have the awards and certifications to prove it.

Watch a free video presentation by the attorneys at LaPorte Law Firm – How to prepare for a Social Security disability hearing

img logo laporte white color

Prepare for Your Remote Hearing