SSI Benefits in Kentucky
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are paid to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. Adults age 65 and older without disabilities are also eligible for SSI if they meet specific requirements.
If you believe you meet the qualifications for SSI but are having a hard time getting approved, it is time to contact a lawyer now.
The Social Security disability lawyers at the Paul Baker Law Office are prepared to help you seek the financial support you need and deserve. Call us or contact us online now to schedule a free consultation with us to discuss your situation and your legal options.
What Are Supplemental Security Income Benefits?
SSI benefits are available from the federal government to provide people with cash and health care benefits based on need and eligibility. SSI benefits are designed to help certain individuals who are blind, disabled, or over the age of 65.
If you think you may be eligible for SSI benefits, you can apply at https://www.ssa.gov/ or contact an experienced attorney to explain the process and assist with your application.
Qualifications for SSI Benefits in Kentucky
There are basic qualifications to qualify for SSI benefits. SSI is available to individuals who are disabled by medical conditions that keep them from working. Applicants must be:
- Disabled by conditions that are projected to last a minimum of one year or result in death, or
- Totally or partially blind, or
- The individual must be 65 years of age or older.
SSI benefits are subject to the conditions of an individual’s income and financial resources, including savings, stocks, bonds and other available assets, so long as they are not greater than $2,000 (or $3,000 for individuals who are married).
However, there are multiple categories of financial resources that do not count toward your $2,000/$3,000 total. For example, a home that you own and live in full-time will not count toward available assets, nor will other government assistance that you may receive, including food stamp assistance or other welfare payments.
Additional considerations may apply to the valuation of your financial assets, making this a very complicated portion of the SSI process. If you have any questions about your SSI eligibility, we are available to answer any questions you may have at the Paul Baker Law Office.
What to Do If Your SSI Claim Has Been Denied
If your initial SSI claim has been denied, the appeals process offers multiple opportunities for you to fight for the benefits you are entitled to receive. While an SSI claim denial may result from something as simple as incorrectly filing a request or improperly calculating the valuation of your assets, we always recommend that you seek the assistance of an experienced SSI attorney if your claim is initially denied for any reason.
If the solution is simple, a knowledgeable lawyer will be able to find and correct the mistake quickly. If your circumstances are more complicated, you will be well positioned for success in the following four levels of SSI appeal procedures:
- Reconsideration – This will be a second review of your initial Social Security claim. A new claims examiner will be assigned to your case, which serves to eliminate any personal bias. Reconsideration is your opportunity to reorganize how you present your claim, to add information to your claim, or to make other changes.
- Hearing – A second claim denial after reconsideration makes you eligible for a hearing. This hearing will be a formal legal proceeding in front of an administrative law judge, who will allow you to present your case. Your case may include witnesses and experts who can provide testimony about your medical condition and your financial resources.
- Appeals Council Review – If your claim is denied again after a hearing, you may appeal this decision to the Appeals Council. At this point in the process, your request for appeal may be rejected outright. Another option for your case is that it may be sent back to the administrative law judge level for a rehearing, or the Appeals Council may review your claim and render a decision. No matter how the Appeals Council proceeds, you will not be able to add any new information at this level, and you will be generally uninvolved in the process aside from waiting to hear a decision.
- District Court Case – If your claim is denied after review by the Appeals Council, your last option is to file a lawsuit against the Social Security Administration to earn SSI benefits that are legally due to you. This will proceed as a lawsuit, with evidence and witnesses for both sides.
While you are not required to have the assistance of a lawyer, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced attorney who understands the disability claims process and who has specific experience helping with SSI applications and appeals.
If your SSI claim is initially denied, it is easy to become discouraged, but don’t be. Many valid claims are denied at this stage. It is possible to appeal the Social Security Administration’s decision and get the benefits you need and deserve.
How Can Paul Baker Law Office Help Me With SSI Benefits in Kentucky
If you have been denied SSI benefits, or if you need to get benefits and need assistance with your application, the Paul Baker Law Office can help you. We have helped others just like you with their Social Security Income benefits applications, and we’ve successfully appealed denied applications and have secured benefits for deserving clients.
Because dealing with the Social Security Administration can be challenging, having an experienced SSI lawyer on your side is crucial to your success. At Paul Baker Law Office, you will have access to attorneys who regularly work with the Social Security Administration to get our clients what they need. We are not afraid to go up against them in court if your benefits claim is wrongly denied.
Please call us or contact us online today to get started on your SSI claim or to appeal a denied claim for benefits. We are here to help you pursue the financial support that you need and deserve.
