Sandy Springs SSI Application Process
The SSI or Supplemental Security Income program provides income payments to people in Sandy Springs with limited means. To receive benefits, applicants must meet qualifications regarding age or disability.
Although the SSI program is operated by the Social Security Administration (SSA), this program differs from other Social Security benefit programs in many respects. The Sandy Springs SSI application process requires applicants to demonstrate that they satisfy certain eligibility criteria. Applicants frequently must be tenacious about proving eligibility, and they should be prepared to submit additional evidence to support their claim in the event of a denial. Because of that, working with a knowledgeable SSI attorney may be advisable.
Gathering Information for an SSI Application
Before starting the SSI application process in Sandy Springs, applicants should collect the necessary information. The SSA will need identifying information about you as well as information about your spouse and any former spouses.
Also, the agency will need detailed information about the medical condition causing the disability, unless the SSI application is submitted based on age. For instance, the SSA requests applicants to provide contact information, patient ID numbers, and treatment dates for all doctors, hospitals, and clinics providing medical care.
Finally, applicants will also need to provide financial information regarding countable income and disposable assets. Bank statements, vehicle titles, burial contracts, and other documents may be requested, as well as information concerning living arrangements and household expenses. An attorney serving the Sandy Springs area can further explain the information that may be requested to supplement an SSI application.
Filing an Application for SSI
You can complete the Sandy Springs SSI application process online, over the phone, or in person at a local Social Security field office. The field offices nearest to Sandy Springs are in Marietta and Atlanta.
Applicants eligible to apply for SSI online must:
- Be between the ages of 18 and 65;
- Suffer from a disability or blindness;
- Not have applied for or received SSI benefits previously;
- Have never been married; and
- Be a U.S. citizen.
After you fill out the SSI application, agents from the SSA will usually call to obtain additional information.
Proving Eligibility in an SSI Application
Although the SSA administers the SSI program, applicants do not have to satisfy work requirements to receive benefits as they do for SSA retirement benefits and Social Security disability benefits. However, applicants must demonstrate financial need.
Specifically, applicants must have both limited income and limited resources. Applicants with more than $2,000 in assets or $3,000 for a couple will not qualify. However, certain assets will not count toward this limit, including an applicant’s house and car.
Besides having limited means, SSI beneficiaries must also demonstrate that they are blind, disabled, or over age 65. Showing that an applicant suffers from disability sufficient to meet SSA standards often proves to be the most challenging aspect of the Sandy Springs SSI application process which makes working with an experienced advocate important.
Assistance with the SSI Application Process in Sandy Springs
Applicants seeking SSI benefits may find the process confusing and frustrating. If you fail to provide proof of disability or other eligibility requirements, the agency may deny your application. In many instances, you must follow through with several appeals before receiving benefits.
An experienced disability advocate can provide insight on the Sandy Springs SSI application process. Social Security disability representatives who are familiar with the process understand how to fulfill the SSA’s requirements and can help you present evidence at a hearing, if necessary. Call today to learn more.
