If you are unable to work and have a medical condition that is disabling, then you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. To begin, there are two basic types of Social Security Disability benefits someone may qualify for: 1) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits; and 2) Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Both SSDI and SSI benefits have their own criteria of eligibility. In some situations, you may qualify for both types of benefits and you may file a concurrent claim. However, this blog post will focus on what it takes to qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Because SSDI benefits are based on past work, sometimes individuals who have never worked or have limited work history are not eligible for SSDI. These individuals may still be eligible for SSI benefits. The main qualifying factor for SSI eligibility is your financial circumstances and/or resources. Overall, your income must be low, and your assets cannot exceed certain limits. Assets include several things such as cash, back accounts, savings accounts, stocks, land, life insurance, personal property, vehicles, etc. Currently, to be eligible for SSI you must have assets which do not exceed $2,000 ($3,000 for a couple). It is important to note, that some things do not count as assets toward your asset total. The home you live on and the property it is one do not count toward the $2,000 asset limit. Additionally, one vehicle used for transportation also does not count. Household goods and personal belongings, such as jewelry or furniture, also does not count toward the asset limit. There are also several other exceptions to the financial asset cap which may be accessed at the resource link below. Overall, it is important to work with an experience law firm who can help you determine, based on your specific circumstances and finances, whether you qualify for SSI benefits.
Resource Link:
https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-resources-ussi.htm