When your application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is denied, you may feel helpless at the loss of support. You may have counted on those benefits to afford necessities, such as housing, food, and medical care. If you are living with a disability and have limited financial resources, being denied SSI is another setback in an already difficult situation.
A Kansas City SSI denial lawyer can review your claim, identify what went wrong, and represent you in an appeal with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Let an experienced SSI attorney help you through this difficult process.
If your initial SSI application was denied, you are not alone. Many people’s claims are denied at first before they win an appeal. The SSA has a structured appeals process with multiple steps: reconsideration, administrative law judge hearing, Appeals Council review, and federal court review. An SSI denial attorney in Kansas City can help you prepare for each stage and keep your claim on track.
During reconsideration, SSA staff who have not seen your file before will review it. If it is denied again, you have the right to request a hearing. Having legal help now becomes especially valuable. You will need to present your medical evidence clearly and possibly answer a judge’s questions. You might also want to submit additional materials, such as vocational rehabilitation reports or records from a short-term or long-term disability claim. A lawyer can organize these materials to emphasize the strength of your claim.
SSI is a needs-based program for people with limited financial resources who cannot work due to a medical condition. Unlike SSDI, your past work history is not necessarily a factor. Even if you qualify on paper, the SSA may deny your claim if you do not establish that your condition keeps you from working. You need to provide the SSA with medical evidence that clearly outlines your limitations and how they interfere with daily functioning. If your records are missing vital information or if a medical provider failed to detail your condition properly, the SSA might reject your claim.
You might also be denied if your financial resources are above the SSA’s limits. It is not solely about income—savings, property, or financial support from others can impact your eligibility. A denial lawyer in Kansas City can help you understand what counts as a resource under SSI rules and how you might clarify your situation with the SSA. This kind of guidance can make a difference to your appeal.
A Kansas City SSI claims attorney can help you file the necessary paperwork and make sure your rejection appeal is completed correctly and on time.
If your claim was denied because of missing or unclear documentation, a lawyer can help you strengthen your file by gathering the right materials, such as updated medical records, hospital visit documentation, physical therapy reports, or messages from healthcare providers that support your claim. You could also submit employment-related records, such as medical leave or Family and Medical Leave Act documents. An attorney can guide you in choosing what to submit and how to present it to the SSA.
If your SSI claim was rejected, do not give up. A Kansas City SSI denial lawyer can help you appeal the decision and work toward the benefits you need. The SSA may have made a mistake, and you still have options. Contact BurnettDriskill, Attorneys today to discuss your claim and start your appeal.