If you live in Kansas City and are seeking Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, SSI work credit requirements do not apply the way they do for Social Security Disability Insurance. The benefits you are entitled to can play an important role in your financial security, so consult with an experienced Social Security lawyer at BurnettDriskill, Attorneys, for help with your claim.
Eligibility for Supplemental Security Income benefits is based on having limited income and resources. Because Kansas City SSI benefits are strictly need-based, no work credit requirements apply. These benefits can also be available to children.
Both physical and mental disabilities can qualify. The Social Security Administration evaluates whether you can work, and you are responsible for providing accurate information. An SSI attorney can help guide you through the process.
For those who have not yet reached the age of 18, disability refers to a physical or mental impairment that is medically determined. This impairment can include difficulty with learning or an emotional concern.
Regardless of what the disability is, it must have resulted in marked and severe functional limitations. These limitations must be expected to cause death or to last for a continuous period of time that is not less than a year.
For those who are 18 or older, the disability qualifier applies if you suffer from a medically determined physical or mental impairment. This can include learning or emotional issues. To qualify, you must be unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity. Additionally, death must be expected, or the condition must have lasted or be expected to last at least a year, continuously.
Because the conditions for SSI benefits are based on serious concerns, the Social Security Administration (SSA) prioritizes these claims and is committed to affording benefits promptly. The path forward is legally challenging, and you are advised to have a skilled SSI attorney to advocate for you.
If you are filing a claim for Supplemental Security Income benefits for yourself or on behalf of a Kansas City loved one, it is important to know that work credits are not required. As claims can still be denied at multiple levels, it is helpful to have a thorough understanding of what to expect.
To begin, you will file a request for determination (an application) to establish eligibility for SSI benefits. If this is denied, you have only 60 days from the date of receipt to file a request for reconsideration.
If your request for determination is denied, you can file a request for reconsideration within 60 days from the date you received your denial.
If your request for reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). You only have an additional 60 days to do so.
If your request for a hearing ends in the judge’s denial, you have 60 days to file a request for review. At this point, your claim will go before the Appeals Council, which will review the judge’s finding. This is the final option with the SSA. If the Council declines to review your claim or denies it outright, you can take the matter up in civil court.
You have the right to file a civil lawsuit against the SSA’s final judgment in the Western District Court of Missouri or the District of Kansas. This is a challenging option to pursue, but an experienced Social Security lawyer can help.
If you are entitled to SSI benefits, you should know that Kansas City SSI work credit requirements do not apply. It is also important to understand that other benefit programs may apply to your situation. For example, if you lost your job due to a health condition, you may be covered under a short-term or long-term disability policy. These claims are often governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). You don’t have to choose between programs, many people can apply for multiple benefits simultaneously.
The lawyers at BurnettDriskill, Attorneys, recognize the importance of your claim and are here to help you pursue the benefits you need and deserve. Our team can review your situation to ensure you explore all potential sources of support, including SSI, SSDI, and other applicable programs.
Contact us online or call today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
(816) 781-4836