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
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
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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?
SSDI
SSI
- This is an insurance program for individuals who have worked and paid Social Security income taxes during employment and who then become unable to work due to a disability.
- SSI is a needs-based benefits program for individuals with limited income and resources who are disabled; however, there is no requirement to have worked for a certain period of time or contributed to the Social Security System.
- The benefit amount depends on how much income tax you've paid during your career. The more you have earned and the longer you have been contributing to the Social Security system in taxes, the higher your monthly SSDI payment will be.
- Your benefit amount is not tied to how much you earned and contributed to Social Security in the past, as benefits are paid from the government's general treasury fund as opposed to the Social Security Trust System.
SSDI
- This is an insurance program for individuals who have worked and paid Social Security income taxes during employment and who then become unable to work due to a disability.
- The benefit amount depends on how much income tax you've paid during your career. The more you have earned and the longer you have been contributing to the Social Security system in taxes, the higher your monthly SSDI payment will be.
SSI
- SSI is a needs-based benefits program for individuals with limited income and resources who are disabled; however, there is no requirement to have worked for a certain period of time or contributed to the Social Security System.
- Your benefit amount is not tied to how much you earned and contributed to Social Security in the past, as benefits are paid from the government's general treasury fund as opposed to the Social Security Trust System.
How the SSI application process works
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:
- Meeting the appropriate deadlines for appeals
- Advice regarding the type of treatment to seek for your medical condition or when to get a second opinion in order to increase your chances of winning your case
- Getting ready to testify in front of an administrative judge and preparing you for the hearing
- Preparing you for the types of questions local judges tend to ask based on years of experience and familiarity with local judges in their area
- Being more confident in front of a judge, as being well-prepared is the best way to get rid of anxiety
- Ensuring your medical records are up to date and submitted to the judge before the hearing
- Submitting a legal brief to the court summarizing how your profile meets disability law requirements
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:
- Ensuring deadlines for appeals are met (the deadline for appeal is 60 days from the date of denial plus 5 business days, which the SSA assumes is the approximate amount of time it takes for the notice to arrive via mail)
- Informing you of the disability standards applicable to your claim
- Requesting the necessary medical evidence from your treating doctors
- Gathering, interpreting, and providing information to help prove your eligibility
- If you would like to know more about the costs related to the SSI application or appeal process, you can view our Fees page.
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.
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.
LaPorte Law Firm was wonderful to work with. They took a very stressful process and turned it into a positive experience by making me feel listened to and understood. They stood by me and were extremely supportive every step of the way. I would highly recommend them to anyone.
Donna Green
I was Lucky to find Kevin LaPorte for my Social Security needs. I knew I would not be able to continue working with my health issues, so I made an appointment with him. He is a very nice guy, honest and straight to the point. I would recommend him to anyone needing help and can’t work any longer. Kevin is the guy to go to, because he is an honest, standup guy who will fight for you.
Bill R.
How it works:
- Complete the form so we can learn more about your situation.
- We will reach out within 48 hours to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney.
- If your case can be pursued, we’ll start working on it.
- We only get paid if your case is approved.
How we can help:
- Free case evaluation by an attorney
- Social Security Disability Insurance application
- Social Security Disability Insurance appeal
- Disability hearing preparation
NO FEES UNLESS YOU WIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
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.
