A Lawyer Helping Georgians Seek Critical Supplemental Security Income Benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is available to individuals who have spent significant time in the workforce but can no longer work due to disability. Because SSDI is based on work history, it disqualifies adults who have never been able to work due to lifelong disabilities. It also disqualifies children with disabilities whose families are facing significant financial hardship.
Thankfully, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers another program to meet the needs of those described above: Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Rather than being an earned benefit, SSI is a need-based program. Like SSDI, however, SSI can be difficult to qualify for if you apply on your own. That’s why you should contact Lisa Smith Siegel, Attorney at Law. I bring more than three decades of legal experience to each case and client. And for the past 12 years, my practice has been exclusively devoted to securing critical financial benefits for Georgians with disabilities. I have helped countless others, and I may be able to help you, too.
Supplemental Security Income: An Overview
SSI provides modest yet critical financial support for those with few assets and with an inability to earn a reasonable income due to disability or age. More specifically, SSI benefits are often given to:
- People age 65 and older who meet low income and asset thresholds
- Adults under age 65 who have a disability (including blindness) that is expected to last a year (or result in death) and makes it nearly impossible to work a job
- Children with a disability that significantly limits daily activity
In all cases, the Social Security Administration sets strict limits on monthly income as well as total assets. These limits depend on a few factors, including whether the applicant(s) is/are an individual, couple or family.
Not all types of assets and income will be included in the SSA’s calculation, but many will. Additionally, even small changes in income or assets can impact your eligibility – for better or worse. Many applicants find these details confusing. The easiest way to understand your options is to consult an experienced disability attorney like me.
How My Firm Can Assist You
At Lisa Smith Siegel, Attorney at Law, you’ll work with an attorney who provides straightforward and honest advice and is eager to help and/or connect you with others who can.
When you contact my firm for a free initial consultation, I can closely examine the details of your disabling condition, income and assets and help you determine whether Supplemental Security Income may be an option. I can also guide you through the application process, including helping you appeal a denied claim and suggesting changes that might positively impact your eligibility.
I can also connect you with other professionals who can provide additional support and advice. For instance, when a child has a disability, families often face a seemingly impossible situation: Taking care of a disabled child costs more than the amount you’d receive in SSI benefits, yet any improvement in income or assets could mean losing access to these benefits. One solution may be a special-needs trust, which allows you to set aside financial resources for your child without compromising SSI eligibility.
Schedule A Free Consult With An Attorney Who Listens And Cares
Lisa Smith Siegel, Attorney at Law, is based in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and I serve clients throughout the state. To learn more about Supplemental Security Income and whether you might be eligible for benefits, contact me to schedule a free initial consultation. You can reach out online or call 404-255-9838.