Navigating Benefits - Disability Benefits – Thread

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What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. It’s a program that gives money to people who are elderly (65 or older), blind, or disabled and don’t have enough money to live. To get SSI, a person must have very little money or valuable things like savings.

Is SSI the same as SSDI? No. You are not eligible to receive SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) unless you have worked in the United States for 10 years.

Social Security in Other Languages The Social Security Administration has information about receiving benefits translated into several languages.

Languages currently available include Arabic, Armenian, Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified), Farsi, French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.

* Sometimes, you may receive a rejection letter after applying for SSI. If the letter says that you are ineligible for benefits, please confirm that the application was not made for SSDI benefits.

Preparing for Your Interview

Before going to a Social Security interview, make sure you have the following documents available:

Your Social Security number
Birth certificate or proof of age
Proof of Legal Immigration Status
- Even if you are in the United States legally, sometimes, staff may tell you that you are not eligible for benefits. We suggest printing the "Non-Citizens Eligible for Benefits" letter and bringing it with you to the appointment.
Names and Contact Information for all of your doctors and medical providers.
A full list of any medications you are taking.
Other documents to show your disability.
Details about your past jobs.
Recent pay stubs (for the last month or more).
Bank statements - Information about any other assistance you receive (e.g., TANF, food stamps, etc.)

Is there anything I should be aware of before going into an interview?

You will be asked about your finances. If you get money from a program that is time-limited, tell the representative when those payments will stop. If you earn too much money, they will reject your application.
If you have money or property that you can’t use (because it was taken away/repossessed), they should not count that as part of your income. It’s about what you can sell and turn into money.
You will be asked to talk about your symptoms. Don’t downplay your pain. The more details you give about your problems, the better they will understand why you need benefits.

What is Social Security looking at to determine whether or not you are disabled?

Social Security has rigid criteria for determining whether someone has a disability. It is important to have a complete medical record that documents the nature of your disability to support your case. After you apply for benefits, they will request medical records from any doctors you provide to verify the nature of your disability. If they do not receive a response from the medical provider or you do not provide complete information, your application may be denied. There are steps you can take to help strengthen your chance of your application being fairly considered:
- You should receive a letter providing the name of a social security representative who will be responsible for reviewing your case. You can call this person as necessary before a decision has been made to confirm that the appropriate documents have been received.
- Social Security publishes a blue book with conditions that meet the listing for disability. It has a lot of medical terminology and is not easy to read, but you can look up your condition in the bluebook to understand how you will be evaluated. Touch upon as many points as possible when describing your social security to disability.
  - Adult Listings in the Social Security Blue Book
  - Childhood Listings in the Social Security Blue Book

Reasons People Get Denied SSI

Income or Assets Too High - If your income or savings are above the SSI limits, you may be denied.
Not Disabled Enough/Disability Expected to Improve - If your disability is not severe enough to stop you from working, you maybe denied. Also, If your condition will get better and you can return to work, you maybe denied. (The disability should last at least one year.)
Work History or Earnings - If you have worked recently, they may determine your disability does not keep you from being able to work.
Missing Information - If you don’t provide all required documents, your application may be delayed or denied.

Reports to Send Back to Social Security

After your appointment, Social Security may send you a Work History Report and/or an Adult Function report that will need to be returned. The following page provides information on these reports and how to fill them out.

ASK FOR HELP: If you need help, ask a family member or Social Security representative. In the letter you receive from social security, there should be a number. You can call that number and request support. If English is not your native language, you can request an interpreter to help you in filling out the form.

REVIEW YOUR FORM: Double-check the information before sending it back.

Understanding the Work History Report

The Work History Report asks about your past jobs and income. It helps the Social Security Administration (SSA) decide if you qualify for SSI benefits.

Why is it Important? It shows if your work history affects your SSI eligibility.
It helps SSA understand how your disability stops you from working.

Tips for Filling Out the Form: List all jobs, even part-time, temporary, or volunteer work. Speak honestly about how your disability affects your ability to do the work.

Understanding the Adult Function Report

You will be asked to describe what you can and can’t do because of your condition, and how much help you need. This report helps the SSA decide if you qualify for SSI benefits.

*Stay focused on your disability. Your ability to do hobbies/recreational activities will factor into a decision about why you are disabled.

Are you a family member trying to help a loved one with a disability application?

An Authorized Representative form lets someone, like a family member or friend, help you with Social Security matters. It allows your helper to speak to Social Security, receive information, and assist you with your application.

Who Can Be an Authorized Representative? - Anyone you trust, like a family member or friend.
What Does the Form Do? - It gives your helper permission to handle your Social Security matters. They can ask questions and receive documents on your behalf.

How to Use the Form

Fill out the form with your and your helper’s details.
Sign the form to give approval.
Submit the form to Social Security.

The form does not give your helper full decision-making power. You can change or remove your helper at any time.

SSI Resources

Understanding Health Terms and Navigating Benefits

Navigating Benefits - Disability Benefits