Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Like SSDI, SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a program to help the disabled who are unable to work because of injury, illness or disease. The standards for disability are the same as for SSDI, in that due to your impairments, illnesses or conditions, you must be unable to work for at least one year. SSI is specifically designed for people who lack the work credits to qualify for SSDI. SSI benefits are available for qualifying disabled children and adults who may never have worked. SSI is also available to qualifying individuals who haven't worked in many years – whether because of their disability or perhaps because the person was a homemaker or unpaid care giver to another family member.

According to Social Security law, in order for you to prove disability, you must show that you have a "medically determinable physical or mental impairment" that results in the inability to work and that if you are working part time you are not working at a substantially gainful activity level. This condition must be either "expected to result in death" or has lasted or will last for at least 12 consecutive months.

Some of these disabling conditions include:

• Arthritis (Listing 14.00)
• Diabetes (Listing 9.00)
• Fibromyalgia
• Cancer (Listing 13.00)
• Kidney Failure (Listing 6.00)
• Heart Disease (Listing 4.00)
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Depression (Listing 12.00)
• Bi-polar Disorder (Listing 12.00)
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Listing 12.00)
• Parkinson's Disease (Listing 11.00)

Sometimes, even when one medical impairment is not severe enough to make you disabled, two or more conditions together may cause you to meet or equal the "Listings" which Social Security Disability looks to.

Currently, an individual applying for SSI cannot have over $2,000.00 in resources. A couple cannot have over $3,000.00 in resources. However, certain items, such as your home, one vehicle, and various other assets, are not counted towards the resources limit.

An applicant for SSI must show that they have applied for any other benefits that they may be eligible for, such as Social Security Disability Insurance. Additionally, one must meet certain citizenship and residency requirements in order to qualify for SSI benefits.

Let Rubin Guttman & Associates in Cleveland be your disability attorneys and guide you through the application or appeals process. Whether you are an accident injury victim, are suffering from physical or mental illness or are disabled for any other reason, we will fight to get you what you deserve.

We can help you understand your legal rights and your options. Request a free consultation with lawyers who care. Call (216) 696-4006 or (888) 488-8529. Russian, Hebrew and Spanish language services are available.