SSI stand its recipients are screened to determine eligibility.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for SSI one must be:
- Blind, Disabled or Age 65;
- Have resources below the federal guidelines ($2000.00 single $3,000.00 married)
- Have income below the federal guidelines;
- Be a citizen of the U.S. or a qualified alien; and
- File an application.
The disability portion of the SSI program requires that an individual be incapable of performing substantial gainful activity due to physical or mental limitations. This inability to work must have lasted for at least 12 months or the individual foresees his or her impairment preventing work for this length of time.
Payments
Currently the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) is the maximum SSI payment that is due before any exclusions. This current rate for an individual is 733.00. Additionally some states have state supplements that increase this amount. New Jersey, for example, offers a state supplement of 31.25. Therefore, a claimant meeting his or her pro rata share of household income could receive a max of 764.25. Essentially, a person must be self-sufficient with the allocated amount to get the max rate awarded by Social Security.
What is SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance is a disability program administered by SSA to provide income to individuals who have an impairment that prevents them from working for a year or more. Unlike, SSI, this program is an insurance based program whereby a person is considered insured based upon their contribution to the system. Most waged employees pay into Social Security with contributions taken out by employers. To be considered insured for SSDI, one must have 20 quarters of work in the past 40 quarters. This could also be stated that one must have worked 5 of the preceding 10 years of their onset date. The onset date is the date whereby a person feels is the date they became disabled and totally unable to work. This date is usually a diagnosis date or the date of a catastrophic accident.
Can I work and receive SSDI?
Initially most people have an impairment that totally prevents work during the initial application process but there are exceptions. From experience, Adjudicators view work during the waiting period unfavorably but you can be awarded benefits while working. However, work would definitely need to be below Substantial Gainful Activity or SGA. For 2016, SGA is $1130.00 so at the very least please keep gross earnings below this level if you are interested in applying for benefits.
Does SSDI award benefits to other household members?
Yes, children under the age of 19 or who have not graduated High School are eligible for auxillary benefits if the primary numberholder is awarded benefits. Additionally, mothers or fathers who have children under the age of 16 are also eligible for benefits.
Will I immediately have health insurance?
Likely No, because Medicare is awarded to individuals who are either age 65 or have been considered disabled for 24 months. Therefore if you’ve timely filed a disability application you are not likely to be awarded Medicare if after the initial application you are awarded benefits. Many people rely on COBRA to maintain prior insurances or apply for Medicaid through the State of New Jersey.
Can I handle the disability process without representation?
Absolutely, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The knowledge our attorneys have is from years of hand allow you to focus on getting better.