Social Security Disability Legal Assistance

Supplemental Security Income (SSI - Title XVI)

Funded by general tax revenues. People do not have to have worked under jobs covered by Social Security taxes to qualify for SSI. Entitlement is based upon being disabled and being in financial need (funded from general taxes, not from Social Security taxes). SSI pays benefits only to the disabled individual (not to any dependents). However, SSI disability benefits can be paid to disabled children (parents' income and resources are considered until each child reaches age 18). Amount of benefit is set as fixed rates nationally, but can vary due to income, living arrangements, and individual state supplements. Michigan pays a small quarterly supplement.

Based on financial need. Social Security looks closely at each applicant's income and resources to determine SSI eligibility and payment amount. Living arrangements are also considered. Individuals are limited to $2,000.00 of liquid resources, but can also own property that they live in, a car, and within limits, other assets.

Any monthly amount of SSI payment provides automatic Medicaid coverage. SSI does not have a Trial Work Period or an Extended Period of Eligibility. If an SSI recipient works, SSI payments are reduced by the following formula: monthly gross wages paid, minus $85.00 (or $65 if the person has other income besides just SSI) and divided by 1/2, equals the amount by which a monthly SSI payment must be reduced.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Questions to determine if you qualify for Social Security Disability:

• Are you working? If you are working, your earnings generally cannot average more than $1,000 per month for you to be considered disabled. If you are legally blind, you cannot average more than $1,640 per month
  
• Is your condition "severe"? Your condition must interfere with basic work-related activities for your claim to be considered
  
• Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions? There is a list of medical conditions that Social Security goes by that are so severe they automatically mean that you are disabled. For a detailed list of those conditions click here
  
• Can you do the work you did previously? If your condition is severe, but not at the level of severity on the list of medical conditions, then Social Security must determine if it interferes with your ability to do the work you did previously
  
• Can you do any other type of work?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI makes monthly payments to people who have low income and few resources and are:

• Age 65 or older
  
• Blind
  
• Disabled