There are many conditions which would qualify a person for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), primarily those that affect your ability to work. This needs-based program can provide cash assistance to any person who is left unable to work because of a medical condition and does not have another source of income.
A Fulton County SSI lawyer may be able to help you to obtain SSI benefits by explaining the process, submitting a thorough application, and attending any necessary hearings or meetings. Call an experienced attorney today to learn about your options.
The Qualifying Factors for Social Security Income
SSI is a cash assistance program designed to help those who cannot earn a living on their own due to a medical condition as well as those with debilitating conditions who have no one else in their household working a full-time job. Other sources of income, possessing sellable assets, or having money in the bank may disqualify someone for these benefits. Only disabled people with little or nothing to sell and no additional income can collect SSI.
How Does the Law Define Being Disabled?
According to federal law regarding Social Security, a disabled person is defined by an inability to indulge in certain activities due to any physical or mental impairments. Specifically, their impairment must result in death, have lasted for at least 12 months, or can be expected to last for a continuous period of no less than 12 months. The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes a list of conditions that automatically qualify a person as legally disabled.
If a doctor diagnoses a person with one of the listed ailments, the SSA can assume that the applicant meets the medical requirement. A Fulton County SSI attorney can advocate for the legitimacy of any unlisted conditions from which an applicant may be suffering to Social Security and an Administrative Law Judge.
Filing a Claim for SSI Benefits
An application for SSI benefits demands in-depth information about the applicant, their work history, their functionality, and their medical conditions. It can be filed online, over the phone, or in person at a Social Security office.
Unfortunately, Social Security denies most initial applications because many applicants suffer from conditions that are not in the aforementioned list of ailments. All applicants who receive denial letters have the right to appeal that decision, but they must do so within 60 days of receiving the denial.
Appeals
An appeal requires much of the same information as an initial application, as it is an updated version of the first submission. However, the SSA may demand additional information concerning work history or daily activities, for example.
If an appeal is denied, applicants reserve the right to appeal again. A second appeal request triggers a hearing with a judge where the judge would have the opportunity to see an applicant in person and ask them direct questions about their case. An SSI lawyer could attend a hearing in Fulton County with an applicant to present information, work to direct proceedings, and explain the individual’s case.
It can take up to two years for an initial application to escalate to a judge’s hearing. However, a successful claim after a judge’s hearing could order the SSA to pay all benefits backdated from the time of the original application, so rejected applicants should speak to qualified legal counsel as soon as possible.
Call a Fulton County SSI Attorney for Support
Any medical condition that affects your ability to work may qualify you for SSI benefits so long as you do not have another source of income or an abundance of sellable assets. A Fulton County SSI lawyer can help you navigate this complex and lengthy application process.
Your attorney can help you file a first application, take care of any appeals, and pursue your case through a judge’s hearing if necessary. Call our team today to get started.
