SSI
Monthly support when the work history is short
SSI is for adults and children with a disability and very limited income and resources. It doesn't depend on how long you worked.
For an adult, the medical test is the same as for SSDI, with income and resource limits added. For a child, Social Security looks at how a condition limits daily life at home, at school and with other children, and it counts the household's income.
Because SSI starts from the date you apply, an early application matters more than a perfect one.
Worth knowing
SSI isn't paid for the months before you apply, so the application date matters
A call or letter saying you plan to apply can protect your start date, if the application follows soon after
Some benefits you get, and some savings, can affect the amount, so ask before you open or close an account
The work
What we help with on an SSI claim
A claim for a child and a claim for an adult are different jobs.
New applications
We help you start the application, keep the date, and gather what Social Security will ask for before it asks.
Children's claims
School records, therapists' letters and a parent's account of a typical week do most of the work. We help you collect all three.
Income and resources
We read how a bank balance, a car or a gift from a relative counts, and how to report changes so a benefit isn't cut later.
Overpayment notices
If Social Security says it paid you too much, we read how it got that number and whether you can ask it to look again.
SSI questions
Can my child get SSI if I work?
Possibly. Social Security counts part of a parent's income, but the amount depends on the household. Call before you decide not to apply.
What counts as a resource?
Cash, bank accounts and some property you could sell. A home and one car usually don't count. The rules are specific, so we go through yours.
Can I get SSI and SSDI together?
Yes, if your SSDI is small and your income and resources are low. SSDI counts as income for SSI, so the checks can come to less than you'd expect.
What does it cost me?
Nothing up front. The fee is the one Social Security sets, paid from back pay if you win. If there's no back pay there's no fee, and we tell you before any record charge is spent.