West Virginia Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Lawyer

A disability can create major financial challenges, especially if you cannot work. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides monthly benefits to individuals with disabilities who have limited income and resources.

Unfortunately, obtaining SSI benefits is not always easy. The Social Security Administration (SSA) carefully reviews every application and denies many initial claims due to lack of evidence or proper eligibility. Our West Virginia Supplemental Security Income (SSI) lawyers answer your questions and fight for the benefits you deserve. When you work with an SSD attorney from Berger and Green, we handle the paperwork, gather your medical evidence, and meet every deadline, whether you’re filing your initial application or appealing a denial.

Who Qualifies for SSI?

SSI is designed to help people with a serious disability who have limited income and resources. Eligibility does not depend on your work history, as it does for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Instead, the SSA reviews your financial situation and medical condition when considering your SSI claim.

To qualify because of a disability, you must have a medical condition that prevents you from working. Your physician must expect this condition to last a minimum of 12 months or result in your death.

In addition to proving a qualifying disability, there is a means test, which means you must meet the strict financial requirements the SSA has established. The SSA will review your income, available resources, and certain assets to determine if you fall below the income threshold and are thus able to qualify. What counts as financial support to the SSA isn’t always obvious. That’s why it helps to have our West Virginia SSI attorneys involved from the start.

SSI vs. SSDI

You may confuse SSI and SSDI because both programs provide benefits to individuals with disabilities. However, there are important differences that you need to be aware of. The biggest difference is how the government determines eligibility. SSDI is an insurance program with funding from Social Security taxes you paid during your working years. To qualify, you generally must have earned enough work credits before becoming disabled.

SSI focuses on means testing. It makes no difference if you had worked regularly over the past few years, the SSA is mostly concerned with whether you have any current income or assets.

The way that the government calculates these respective benefits also differs. SSDI payments are based on your lifetime earnings before your disability, while SSI benefits are based on rates that the federal government sets.

Some people may qualify for both programs at the same time. Our legal team can help West Virginia applicants with their SSI claim, and also determine if they are eligible for the other program as well.

What if I Receive a Claim Denial?

Receiving a claim denial is frustrating, but it does not mean your case lacks merit. The SSA denies many valid SSI claims because it believes you did not provide enough medical evidence or it concludes you did not satisfy the financial eligibility requirements. The good news is that you have the right to appeal.

A successful appeal often requires more than simply asking the SSA to review the same information. You will have to provide more information regarding your disability or financial situation. Our attorneys help you collect evidence that strengthens your case.

It is critical to meet every appeal deadline, as missing one can force you to start the application process from the beginning, delaying the benefits you need. Our legal team understands the various deadlines for Supplemental Security Income claims and we help our West Virginia clients meet  them on time.