Hi, my name is Kirsten Krueger and two years ago, I was in a car accident. I was stopped at a stop sign when the driver behind me slammed into my car. Due to my injuries, I had to spend a few days in the hospital and I was unable to work for two months. My medical care was expensive and without being able to work, I couldn't pay my bills. The car accident was stressful enough and then I had to worry about how I would pay my bills. After speaking with a car accident lawyer, it wasn't long before I was compensated for my medical bills and lost wages from work. I'm writing this blog to help others who have been a car accident and haven't received any compensation. As you read my posts, you'll learn how an attorney can help you if you're in a vehicle accident.
Millions of people across the United States are blind, disabled, or otherwise unable to earn a living. If you are one of these people, you may qualify for a program run by the federal government known as Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is not the same thing as Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). Supplemental Security income is funded by overall taxes instead of revenues from social security taxes like SSDI. People often confuse the two, but there is a different set of rules for SSI that you should know about.
Basic Requirements
Supplemental Security Income, as its name suggests, can supplement your income with money needed to purchase basic living necessities such as housing, food, and clothing. Of course, to qualify for these benefits, you must be eligible.
According to the U.S. Social Security website, you must fit the required profile to pass the eligibility screening. You must be a citizen, resident, or national who is blind, disabled, or older than 65 years and have a small income and limited resources. You must then file an application and grant permission for the federal government to speak with your financial institutions about your monetary status.
Application Process
The process of applying for SSI can be long, vague, and frustrating. With confusing requirements, it's important to get started as quickly as possible to avoid delaying potential benefits even more. First off, you should contact your local Social Security office via phone and schedule an appointment. The next step is very important - you should consult a personal injury attorney, like The Gil Law Firm.
If you think you may qualify for supplemental income, there are a variety of hoops you will have to jump through including collecting numerous documents, filling out a lengthy application, and interviewing with a Social Security representative. Like insurance agents, the representative's job is to screen out as many people as possible to limit costs of the program. Since you are allowed to appoint someone to help you, be sure to take full advantage of a lawyer's services to guide you through this complicated SSI process. If you don't, you could say the wrong thing and fail to demonstrate your eligibility for benefits. In additional, a personal injury lawyer will fight for you if your case is denied and you must make an appeal.
With so many Americans suffering from disabilities, it is important to have programs like SSI available to the public. If you or someone you know potentially qualifies for Supplemental Security Income, you shouldn't waste another minute. This vital program can help with food, clothing, and shelter if you can't earn income independently. As the application process can be lengthy, seek the counsel of a personal injury attorney and ensure you receive the maximum benefits owed to you.
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