Experienced Supplemental Security Income Attorneys Serving the United States
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provides financial assistance to individuals who are aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources. SSI is intended to help these individuals meet their basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.
Eligibility for SSI benefits is determined by the SSA based on a variety of factors, including the individual’s age, disability status, and income and resources. In general, to be eligible for SSI benefits, an individual must:
- Be aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled
- Be a U.S. citizen or national, or be in the United States lawfully
- Have limited income and resources
If you have further questions on Supplemental Security Income, contact our experienced SSI lawyers out of Arkansas, covering the entire country.
Who Is Eligible for SSI?
- Age: Individuals aged 65 or older may be eligible for SSI benefits.
- Disability: To be considered disabled for SSI purposes, an individual must have a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and must be unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to the impairment.
- Income: SSI benefits are intended to help individuals with low income meet their basic needs. The SSA considers the individual’s countable income, which includes wages, self-employment income, and other sources of income, when determining eligibility for SSI benefits.
- Resources: SSI benefits are also intended for individuals with limited resources, such as cash, savings, and other assets. The SSA considers the individual’s countable resources, which includes things like bank accounts, stocks, and real estate, when determining eligibility for SSI benefits.
If an individual is found eligible for SSI benefits, the amount of the benefit will depend on the individual’s countable income and resources, as well as the cost of living in the area where the individual lives. SSI benefits are generally paid on a monthly basis, and the amount of the benefit may be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the cost of living.
In addition to financial assistance, individuals who receive SSI benefits may also be eligible for other assistance programs, such as Medicaid and food stamps.
It is important to note that SSI benefits are different from Social Security retirement benefits, which are based on an individual’s work history and contributions to the Social Security system. SSI benefits are also different from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, which are available to individuals who are unable to work due to a disability and have a sufficient work history.
Contact Our Nationwide Supplemental Security Income Attorneys Today
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our social security disability attorneys in Arkansas, and to learn more about what we can do to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions for SSI Attorney
SSI pays benefits to blind or disabled adults and children with little or no income and resources. The disabling medical condition must be expected to last for at least 12 months or be expected to result in death. The program also pays benefits to individuals age 65 or older who are not blind or disabled, provided they meet the income and resource limitations.
A complimentary consultation and claim evaluation by an SSI attorney at American Disability Action Group can provide you with additional information about the eligibility requirements. Whether or not you qualify for SSI benefits depends on the amount and source of your income and the severity of your medical condition.
The SSDI program requires that you have a work history at jobs or unemployment with Social Security taxes paid on your earnings or income. Your lifetime earnings determine the amount of your monthly SSDI benefit payment. You become eligible for Medicare coverage after receiving SSDI benefits for 24 months.
The SSI program does not require a work history for eligibility. It is a needs-based program available to individuals with little or no income and resources. For example, the total value of resources you can have is only $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples.
The maximum monthly SSI benefits change yearly. Individuals in 2025 can receive up to $967 per month, with couples receiving maximum monthly benefits of $1,450. Medicaid coverage may be available depending on the eligibility guidelines of your state.
A disability attorney at American Disability Action Group can help you through the application process. The disability benefit application is for both programs, so the Social Security Administration reviews it and determines whether you qualify for SSDI, SSI, or both.
You can start the application process with only your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth, but you’ll need to provide additional information and documentation to prove the following:
- Proof of age: A birth certificate or other document recorded before age 5.
- Citizenship: Birth certificate for citizens born in the U.S., naturalization certificate, or U.S. passport.
- Proof of income: Pay stubs, tax returns, or other records of source of payment.
- Proof of resources: Bank statements, deeds, life insurance policies, certificates of deposit.
You will need to produce the names and dates of birth of all members of your household, including Social Security numbers.
If filing a claim for SSI based on disability or blindness, you need the names and contact information of all healthcare providers treating you for the condition along with the dates of treatment. You can expect to be asked to provide a list of medications prescribed for you.
Be prepared to provide information about your work history, including names of employers, job title, dates of employment, description of duties, and compensation. Gathering the information in advance helps make the application process easier and improves the accuracy of the information that you provide.
When providing documents during the application process, they must be originals. The Social Security Administration does not accept copies, but it returns the originals to you.
Processing an SSI application generally takes three to five months. Applications with errors or missing information take longer. Delays may occur when the Social Security Administration has difficulty getting medical documentation from your doctors.
Yes, American Disability Action Group can help you to appeal a denial of your SSI claim. If you have been denied SSI benefits, contact one of our disability attorneys for a free consultation as soon as you receive the notice of denial. Do not wait because you have only 60 days from receipt of the notice to appeal the decision.
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Speak to one of our SSI attorneys to find out about contingency fee agreements where you pay nothing upfront because your attorney gets paid only if you win your claim. According to the fee agreement, which the Social Security Administration must approve, the attorney representing you receives an agreed-upon legal fee from past due benefits awarded when you win.
2615 N Prickett Rd Ste. 2, Bryant, AR 72022