SSI Attorney In Sacramento, California

Understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with Jared Walker

Call Walker Disability Law at 916-831-7575 to schedule a consultation with a lawyer today.

Eligibility Criteria for SSI in California

The eligibility requirements for SSI are set by the Social Security Administration (SSA). In order to be eligible for SSI in Sacramento, California, you must first make sure you meet one of the criteria relating to age, blindness, or disability:

• Age – Be 65 years of age or older.
• Blindness – Have vision that is 20/200 or worse in your better eye when using corrective lenses or have a significant restriction in your better eye’s field of vision, where the widest diameter of the visual field spans no more than a 20-degree angle.
• Disability – Minors must have a mental or physical impairment that results in serious functional limitations, is expected to cause death, or has gone on or is expected to go on continuously for at least a year. Adults must have an impairment that impedes their ability to do a substantial gainful activity, is expected to cause death, or has gone on or is expected to go on for at least a year continuously.

An individual who meets an age, blindness, or disability requirement must also meet the following criteria for resources, income, citizenship, and residency:

• Resources – Have limited resources. This could be anything you own that can potentially be turned into cash for housing and food, including money, bank accounts, cars, personal property, stocks, land, life insurance, etc.
• Income – Have limited income. This can include wages from work and money received from other places, such as unemployment benefits, Social Security, workers’ compensation, family or friends, and free housing or food.
• Citizenship and Residency – Be a citizen of the United States or an eligible non-citizen living in the country lawfully.

It is essential to meet these requirements to qualify for SSI in Sacramento, California. If your SSI claim has been denied due to eligibility findings, an attorney can review the decision and determine whether it can be challenged through the appeals process.

Proving Your Disability

For individuals who apply for SSI on the basis of blindness or a disability, SSA will first determine if you meet other eligibility criteria before asking you to prove your disability. If you meet the requirements, you will then have to provide medical documents that show your disability and how it affects your ability to work.

Your documents must have detailed information relating to your condition, including the contact information of any medical professionals you’ve seen, details about the medication you take, and details about treatments and tests you’ve undergone. If you don’t have a primary doctor, you may be able to get a consultation with a Social Security doctor. If your SSI claim has already been denied due to insufficient medical evidence, updated documentation may strengthen your appeal.

Appealing an SSI Decision

You have the right to appeal most decisions regarding your SSI application or benefits, whether it is a denial, termination, or an initial determination. When you receive your notice, it’s important to act quickly when filing your appeal to ensure a favorable outcome. Generally, there are four levels you can go through when appealing an SSI decision or determination: request for reconsideration, the hearing, appeals council review, and federal court review.

1. To begin the appeals process, you must file a proper written request for reconsideration with SSA as soon as possible. In some cases, submitting a request within a certain time frame can ensure you continue receiving the payments you are currently getting until a decision is made.
2. If you don’t achieve your goal with the reconsideration, you may request a hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ). You may have the option to appear before a judge or request for the judge to make a decision using the evidence provided in your file.
3. In the event that you don’t agree with the decision made by the judge, you may request to have the decision reviewed by the Appeals Council. The Appeals Council can dismiss, grant, or deny your request. If the request is granted, the Council will either make a decision or return the case to an ALJ.
4. If you don’t agree with the decision made by the Appeals Council or their denial to review your case, you can file an action in federal district court with the help of a lawyer.

Working with an experienced SSI appeals attorney can significantly improve your chances of success during reconsideration, administrative hearings, or federal court review. They can give you the necessary support, help you gather evidence, and represent you at hearings. Having a lawyer can significantly increase the possibility of a successful appeal.