Social Security Disability Attorney Long Beach
If you’ve been diagnosed with a serious illness, you may want to consider looking into Social Security Income (SSI) benefits and finding out if you’re eligible. After reaching the age of 62, you may also be considering retiring or working part-time while receiving supplementary income.
Alternatively, your disability or blindness may be so severe that it impacts your ability to work full time. In 2019, about 86% of applicants received SSI benefits because of blindness or a debilitating medical condition. Those under 18 received around $670 per month, those aged 18 to 64 received $593 per month, and those aged 65 or older receive $459 per month. Find out how much you are eligible for by speaking with a Social Security Disability Attorney in Long Beach. Contact Pisegna and Zimmerman for a free consultation.
What Do I Need To Be Eligible For Social Security Benefits?
To apply for SSI, you must have few resources and little to no income. All of your assets must amount to less than $2,000 if you’re single. For married couples, you must have less than $3,000 in assets. In most cases, your home and car won’t be included in the value of your assets. There are a few other non-applicable assets, including burial plots.
Additionally, you must reside within the United States or the Northern Mariana Islands to receive SSI benefits. If you’re not a US citizen, you must lawfully reside within the US to be eligible.
Other requirements include being over the age of 65 and having enough work credits. If those requirements apply to you, your particular disability must be recognized by a qualified medical practitioner. Your medical condition must be so severe that it negatively influences your ability to work, lasts for over 12 months, or puts you at risk of death. If you don’t have a medical condition, you may also apply if you’re legally blind.
How Does California SSI Differ From Other States?
In California, you can also receive medical assistance also known as Medi-Cal. You don’t have to apply separately—it is added to your application automatically. In California, you can also apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). To receive benefits of this program, you must be living in California, receiving or applying for SSI, not already receiving CalFresh benefits, and living alone or in a household that is receiving SSI benefits.
Additional programs include social services such as an assistant dog for those who have a disability or are blind, personal care services for those who are elderly or blind, and protective services.
What Is the Step By Step Process For Applying For Social Security Disability Benefits?
When beginning an application for SSI, you can apply online, over the phone, or by mail. You must provide detailed information about your life circumstances in your application.
How To Apply
To apply online, you must fill out the virtual form on the Social Security Administration website during business hours. To apply over the phone, call 1-800-772-1213 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday or 1-800-325-0778 if you are hard of hearing. To apply by mail, send an application to the address:
Social Security Administration Office of Public
Inquiries and Communications Support
1100 West High Rise 6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235
Birth Information
You must include the city, state, and time of your birth if you are a US citizen. Otherwise, you would supply the name of your birth country and the time of your birth if you are not a US citizen.
Marriage Status
If you’re married, you must provide the name of your current spouse. You also must provide information on any previous spouses to whom you were married for more than 10 years. If you are a widow or widower to a deceased spouse for over 10 years, include this as well. The place and date of the marriage will be requested.
Family Members
Your application must include all of your children under the age of 18 who are unmarried or aged 18 to 19 who are in secondary school full-time. If any of your children are disabled before age 22, mention them.
Your Military Service
If you were an active duty member of the military, you should also include your service dates, the type of duties you provided, and your military branch.
Employment History
You must include your employment history from the previous two years. You must submit your employer name, start and end dates of employment, and total earnings. If self-employed, you should provide your total net income from the past two years and the type of business you have.
Banking Information
Your application will also require you to list banking information, such as your bank routing number and account type.
Medical Condition
Detailed information about your medical history, what treatments you received, and who treated you will also be used to determine your eligibility.
Learn More About How To Properly Fill Out Your Application Or File An Appeal
Learn from trustworthy professionals who have plenty of experience and filing SSI claims. Call Pisegna and Zimmerman for a free consultation in Long Beach, CA.