Columbus Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Lawyer

A Columbus Supplemental Security Income (SSI) lawyer with Berger and Green will help you seek benefits if you have a disabling medical condition and your income and resource level falls below a specific threshold. We know how vital these payments can be, and we fight hard to get the money you need.

For over 40 years, our SSD attorneys have helped clients pursue their disability claims. We handle every stage of the process: application, appealing a denial, and representation at a hearing .

Who Can Receive Benefits Through SSI?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the Supplemental Security Income Program. It is for people aged 65 and older or people with a disabling condition who also have very limited income and resources.

Unlike the SSA’s other benefit program, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you do not have to have work credits to qualify. You will need to prove you are income-eligible, and either age-eligible or eligible based on your health. If you live in Columbus, OH, you can consult with our SSI attorneys to determine if you qualify.

How Do You Prove Medical Eligibility?

Proving you qualify for SSI because you are of retirement age is relatively simple. You will need to submit your birth certificate, proof of citizenship or residency, and identification with your application.

However, if you are under retirement age, you will need to show that you qualify based on your medical condition. You must supply the SSA with your medical records, including treatment notes, test results, a list of your medications, and your doctors’ contact information.

The SSA will review your application and determine whether you are capable of Substantial Gainful Activity. Every year, the SSA sets an SGA limit, and if it believes you can make this amount of income doing your job or any other type of work, it will not grant you benefits. The SSA must also believe that your condition has lasted (or will last) at least one year or result in death.

The SSA’s “Blue Book” lists injuries and ailments the administration has already identified as potentially disabling. The Blue Book sorts conditions into 14 categories, including but not limited to cancer, musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular problems, respiratory problems, and mental health issues. Your condition does not have to be in the Blue Book for you to medically qualify for SSI. Our Supplemental Security Income lawyers serving Columbus help people with unlisted conditions prove that their ailment is disabling if their symptoms are severe, and they are eligible for benefits.

How Do You Prove Income Eligibility?

Only people with very little income and assets may qualify for SSI. The SSA sets a monthly limit on your “countable” income, which includes cash or “in-kind” income, such as food or shelter, or things you can use to purchase food and shelter.

There is also a limit on your countable assets. Your assets may include savings accounts, retirement accounts, some life insurance, and real estate and vehicles (excluding your home and one car). If you have more income and assets than the SSA allows, you will not be eligible for SSI. To show that you qualify, you will need to gather and submit the following with your application:

• Recent pay stubs
• Bank statements
• Tax returns
• Property deeds
• Vehicle deeds
• Insurance and retirement policy information
• Lease and mortgage agreements

Our Columbus attorneys can help you apply for SSI, including gathering the documentation needed to support your claim and avoid a denial.

What Should You Do If Your SSI Claim Gets Denied?

If the SSA denies your initial claim, our attorneys can help you appeal. Our firm helps identify the reasons for denial and where your claim may be weak, and strengthens it with additional evidence. We navigate you through every stage of the process, including advocating for you during an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing.