Supplemental Security Income

Protecting Your Right to Supplemental Security Income

Many people have such serious or long-term disabilities that their lack of recent work history makes them ineligible for Social Security disability insurance benefits. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides benefits for people who can meet a different set of eligibility standards.

To learn whether you might qualify for SSI benefits in Greater Philadelphia or elsewhere in southeast Pennsylvania, contact a knowledgeable attorney at Berman & Asbel in Media. Our experience with Supplemental Security Income applications and appeals may be able to help you get the money you need to meet monthly living expenses.

Supplemental Security Income is a means-tested benefits program

The main difference between the SSDI program and the SSI program is that the former requires recent work history, while the latter is available only to people whose household income falls below a certain level. Our lawyers can review your circumstances and explain which of the two benefits programs will be best for you.

Once we have established your income and asset eligibility for SSI benefits, we still have to show that you're disabled from working. Cases of blindness or certain developmental disabilities will usually qualify you for Supplemental Security Income benefits, but we also help clients whose impairments involve chronic illness or injuries, or combinations of impairments that together make full-time work impossible.

Children can also qualify for SSI benefits in cases ranging from extremely low birth weight to severe learning disabilities. All SSI recipients benefit from eligibility for Medicaid coverage, which can help your access to necessary therapy and medication.

To learn more about our Supplemental Security Income practice and the disability benefits process, contact a lawyer at Berman & Asbel in Media.