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Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal benefits program that provides monthly payments to individuals who have limited income and resources. Individuals aged 65 and older who meet the financial requirements are eligible to receive SSI. SSI is also available to younger adults and children who are blind or disabled. If you are filing for SSI based on disability, you will need a doctor’s help to prove you have a qualifying medical condition.
Our law firm’s Supplemental Security Income attorney can help you determine if you can get SSI in Michigan. We can guide you through the SSI application process, including helping you gather the necessary documentation to prove your eligibility.
Who Is Eligible for SSI?
You may qualify for SSI if you have limited income and resources and are aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled.
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), individuals are generally considered to have a low income if they earn less than $2,019 per month from work. Individuals have limited resources if their other assets, such as personal property, land, and stocks, are valued at less than $2,000 ($3,000 for couples). This limit increases by $2,000 if you are a parent applying for a child.
Medically, you may qualify for SSI under age 65 if you are blind or disabled. The SSA considers an individual disabled if they have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that:
- Prevents them from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA); and
- Is expected to result in death; or
- Has lasted or is expected to last 12 months or longer.
To get SSI in Michigan based on disability, you will need a doctor to diagnose your condition and provide medical records to the SSA.
How to Prove You Qualify for SSI
Qualifying for SSI requires providing the SSA with extensive documentation proving your income eligibility. You will also need to provide the SSA with medical records if you are filing based on blindness or disability.
Financial information that you must send to the SSA may include:
- Pay stubs
- Tax returns
- Bank statements
- Life or disability insurance policy information
- Certificates of deposit, stocks, mutual funds, or bonds
- Titles or registrations for vehicles, including recreational vehicles like boats and campers
To prove your eligibility based on disability, you will need to provide the SSA with:
- Any medical records in your possession
- A list of prescription and non-prescription medications you take
- The contact information for your doctors and healthcare providers
Can You Get SSI and SSDI Benefits Together?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is another federal benefits program that financially assists individuals with disabilities. As with SSI, you will need a doctor’s help to prove you medically qualify for SSDI. However, SSDI is not based on your income. You earn work credits toward SSDI through Social Security taxes on your employment income. You are eligible for SSDI if you have worked enough credits and years of work to qualify.
Some individuals can qualify for both SSI and SSDI together, which is known as receiving concurrent benefits. Our firm’s Social Security Disability lawyer can tell you if you are eligible for SSDI as well as SSI and help you apply.
How to Appeal SSI Denials
If the SSA denies your application for benefits, our law firm can help you appeal the decision. There are four stages to the appeals process:
- Request a reconsideration – If you believe the SSA made an incorrect determination based on the information you provided, you can request a review of the initial decision.
- Hearing with a judge – If reconsideration is not successful, you can ask for a hearing before an administrative law judge.
- Review of hearing – If the judge does not rule in your favor, you can request a review of their decision by the Appeals Council.
- Federal district court action – If the Appeals Council upholds the denial, you can file a federal district court action with the U.S. District Court.
Contact the Grech Law Firm
The Grech Law Firm helps clients in Michigan with SSI and SSDI applications and appeals. We have over 25 years of legal experience. Contact us online or call today to learn more about how we can fight for your benefits.