Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI Benefits

Law Offices of Stuart Pastor — Dallas, Austin and Plano, Texas

Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) are only available to disabled people who have worked for an employer or employers who participated in the Social Security disability system. Self employed persons may also be insured for Social Security disability benefits if Social Security taxes were paid. Generally to be insured for SSDI benefits a person must be credited with at least 20 quarters during the ten years immediately preceding the onset of disability. It is possible to receive credit for four quarters in a given year even if the person did not work during all of the quarters based on the amount of social security tax paid during the year. Therefore, some persons are fully insured for SSDI even though they did not work 20 quarters in the ten years immediately preceding the onset of disability. Younger workers may be eligible even if the worker has not been in the work force for long as they are not required to earn as many credits to be insured for SSDI benefits. The maximum monthly SSI benefit in 2008 for an individual is $637.00. The amount paid to SSI beneficiaries is reduced when the beneficiary is working part-time.

Medicaid Eligibility

Persons who receive SSI benefits are eligible to receive Medicaid. Winning SSDI and SSI is often difficult. In my experience, disabled people are more likely to win Social Security disability benefits if they are represented by an experienced Social Security disability lawyer.

Since 1991, I have devoted my legal practice to being a forceful and effective advocate for disabled persons, so they can obtain their SSDI and SSI benefits at the earliest time possible.

I work for my clients on a contingency basis. This means that I accept no fees for my legal services unless my clients receive their disability benefits.

If your original application is denied, it is even more critical to consult with an attorney.

But what if you are not “insured” for SSDI?

The government does have a program to give financial assistance to disabled people who do not qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance. The program is called Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Qualifying for SSI involves a two-part test: you must have a disability, and you must prove financial need.

As with Social Security disability benefits, the government denies many applications from qualified SSI applicants. Getting help from a knowledgeable disability benefits attorney will increase your chance of getting your claim for SSI benefits approved.

Since 1991, my legal practice has focused exclusively on winning Social Security disability and SSI claims for disabled people and their families. I work on a contingency basis, which means that my clients do not pay any legal fees unless their disability claims are approved.

Winning Your SSI Case As Early As Possible

When I work with clients to win SSI benefits, I prefer to get involved from the very beginning. In my experience, assistance from an experienced SSI benefits attorney can make a major difference between receiving early approval and having to fight through layers of reconsiderations and appeals.

From the initial SSI application onwards, I focus my efforts on making strong arguments regarding disability. I work with your doctors, medical and vocational experts, and use Social Security’s regulations, rulings and prior court decisions to build the strongest possible argument for each client.

If you are looking for assistance with your SSI benefits claim, I invite you to contact my offices to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced SSI lawyer. Call toll-free, 1-888-616-6162, or send me an e-mail.