Q: If I get Supplemental Security Income benefits, will my children get them, too? A: When applying for Social Security (whether you work with a social security lawyer or navigate the process on your own), you need to keep in mind the differences between Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplement Security Income, or SSI. While those that qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits may be able to obtain benefits for their children (a social security lawyer can help with the process), those that apply only for SSI cannot. The reason for this is that SSI is given based only upon need, and so benefits are not offered to dependents. If you are approved for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, on the other hand, it is possible to obtain benefits for minor children in some cases. Whether or not your children will receive benefits depends on your earnings records. Not all of those who apply for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits qualify for dependents benefits. Those with a short work history may not qualify. For more information, speak with a social security lawyer. Q: If I have money in my bank account, can I be approved for SSI benefits? A: Any social security lawyer will tell you: because SSI is a need based program, all resources and income will be counted towards qualification. Put simply, those that receive SSI benefits do not have much money or many assets. And while every state has a slightly different resource limit for qualifying for SSI, there are a few general guidelines that a social security lawyer will give you when looking over your application. In general, the following are considered "resources" that count towards your income: • Coins and Currency • Bank Accounts • Stocks and other Investments • Real Estate • Life Insurance • Vehicles • Personal Property Though it is possible to be approved for SSI if you own a vehicle and one home, owning too many assets or "resources" can reduce your chances. In order to be approved for SSI, you must generally have less than $2000 in a bank account for a single person, or less than $3000 for two people. But since rules and limits change from state to state, it is best to speak with a social security lawyer. Q: If I sell my home and make a profit, will I lose my benefits? A: Like with most social security questions, the correct answer to this varies from person to person, and it is a good idea to consult a social security lawyer. If you do make money from the sale of a home, the amount of money you make will be the deciding factor in the effect on your SSI. If the profit from your home takes you over the "allowable value" of your resources at the beginning of the month, you will not be eligible for benefits for that month. And if that money stays in your possession into future months, your approval to receive SSI benefits may be questioned. If this happens, it is important to speak to a social security lawyer in order to know your next steps.
Many of the social security disability and supplemental security income claimants are quite uncertain how the SSA evaluates their cases. This uncertainty is bringing most of them a hard time in determining what is the proper way to speed up the process of their filing of claims. To let you understand more about this issue, read this article carefully for it may help you gain more knowledge about the basics of filing your social security claims.
In reviewing your disability claims, the SSA does not necessarily focus much on the type of your incurred illness or impairment. Rather, the review panel weighs in the effects of that particular disability in your capacity to perform substantial gainful activity.
The DDS or Disability Determination Services examiner of the SSA assesses your SSD or SSI claim based on your previous employments in order to find out if may still be able to perform of them. This standard applies if your case involves physical health predicaments.
If you passed in this level and you have been proven incapacitated to do such jobs, the examiner will then verify other line of works in which you can still be assigned. Primarily, they will make a list of works that may suit you on the basis of your present physical condition and working skills. This is because the SSA gives much emphasis on both of your previous jobs and other work capabilities.
However, the DDS examiners strictly follow the standards of evaluating disability claims. As such, their reports will definitely be much detailed than what we expect. They will evaluate your physicality as a whole and not just basing it merely on your disability and other capabilities. They might have a thorough investigation on your disability other than that your medical reports show. If in case they have found out in their review that your disability does not completely hinder you from doing other jobs, your social security claim will have poorer chances of being approved.
To sum it up, having a disability claim be approved is not an easy task. It involves a lot of requirements and adequate understanding of social security basics.
Thus, to gain a successful verdict, you must provide the SSA with sufficient and latest medical evidences to support your petition and prove that indeed, you have been or expected to become incapable of exercising substantial gainful activities for at least a period of twelve months.
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