Skip to main content Can I receive both Social Security Benefits and SSI?
According to the Social Security Administration, you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income even if you are already receiving retirement benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance.
What Is the Difference Between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI is a form of insurance that you pay to the government as you work to protect you in case you become disabled in the future and unable to work. On the other hand, SSI is a payment issued by the government to disabled children, adults, or individuals aged 65 or older.
To understand the key difference between SSDI and SSI payments, let's discuss how people qualify for these two Social Security benefits.
To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security and have a medical condition that qualifies as a disability as defined by the SSA. On the other hand, to qualify for SSI, you must be at either 65 years or older, be totally or partially blind, or have a medical condition that prevents you from working for at least or year or result in death.
The bottom line is that SSDI is the money you have been paying the government through your paycheck. On the other hand, SSI is the money the government pays you from its own 'pocket' if you meet certain requirements.
How Does the SSA Determine Disability?
To determine disability, the SSA uses a five-step process. This process comprises questions designed to understand the specific details of the disability that forms the grounds for your application. Here's an overview of these questions:
- Is the applicant working?
- Is the applicant's disability considered 'severe'?
- Does the applicant's condition appear in the list of disabling conditions as defined by the SSA?
- Can the applicant do the work they did previously?
- Can the applicant do any other kind of work?
Other Than Income, What Other Factors Will the SSA Consider When Determining Eligibility for Benefits?
Your income aside, the SSA will also consider the things you own. As of 2022, you may be eligible for SSI if your assets are no more than $2000 (for an individual) or $3000 if you're a married couple living together.
However, it is also important to note that the SSA will consider your bank accounts, bonds, and stocks when calculating your assets but not your car or the house you live in.
To be eligible for benefits, you must be a resident of the 50 US states, including the District of Columbia or the Northern Mariana Islands. In addition, certain non-citizens might be eligible for SSI.
Can I Get Medicaid If I Am Eligible for SSI?
Yes, to receive SSI, you may be required to apply for other Social Security benefits (or other government benefits you qualify for). To put things into perspective, if you are eligible for SSI, you may also be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid.
SNAP will help pay for food. On the other hand, Medicaid will help pay for your medical bills.
Do I Need an Attorney to Apply for Social Security Benefits?
The SSA does not require any applicant to have an attorney in order to apply for benefits. You may be able to apply for benefits without legal assistance. However, applying for benefits without an attorney's help can be stressful and confusing.
This is because the SSA has strict rules each applicant needs to follow when applying for benefits. In fact, the government agency denies many applications due to avoidable errors, insufficient evidence to prove disability, incorrect earning statements, etc.
At Morgan and Morgan, our social security attorneys understand how frustrating it can be to be denied benefits you are eligible for. According to data from the SSA, only 23% of initial claims were approved between 2010 and 2019. That is exactly why we are here to help.
How Can a Morgan and Morgan Social Security Disability Attorney Help?
The first step to getting the help you need is filling out our free case evaluation form. Then, one of our legal representatives will review your claim and determine whether it is valid.
If valid, we might be able to:
- Help you maximize your benefits
- Collect crucial evidence to prove your eligibility for benefits
- Communicate with the Social Security Administration on your behalf
- Prepare you for Social Security disability hearings
- Represent you in court if your application is denied
And so much more.
How Much Do Morgan & Morgan Social Security Disability Attorneys Charge for Their Services?
Suppose you are worried about not being able to afford a Morgan and Morgan social security disability attorney. In that case, worry not; you will be glad to discover that we charge contingency fees.
For this reason, you will not need to pay us upfront for our services. Rather, you will only pay us if we win. If you do not win, we do not get paid.
What Are the Maximum Fees Social Security Disability Attorneys Charge?
The SSA limits the amount attorneys can charge their clients for offering their legal representation. Typically, attorneys can charge 25% or a maximum of $6000 of the back pay, whichever is lesser.
When Should I Hire a Morgan and Morgan Social Security Disability Attorney?
You can hire a Morgan and Morgan social security disability attorney at any stage of the application process. However, for best results, it is advisable to hire a lawyer before applying for benefits. This gives the attorney enough opportunity to review your application, ensuring it meets SSA's requirements.
If the SSA already rejected your initial application, our attorneys might also help review the reason for rejection. Then, we might be able to help you build a stronger case to prove your eligibility for benefits.
Whether you have been denied benefits or are considering applying for the first time, Morgan & Morgan social security attorneys can help. Fill out our case evaluation form to have your case reviewed for free by one of our legal representatives.
