Arkansas and Nationwide SSI Lawyers

Experienced SSI Attorneys Serving Arkansas, Oklahoma, and the entire United States

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provides financial assistance to individuals who are aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources. SSI is intended to help these individuals meet their basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

Eligibility for SSI benefits is determined by the SSA based on a variety of factors, including the individual’s age, disability status, and income and resources. In general, to be eligible for SSI benefits, an individual must:

  1. Be aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled
  2. Be a U.S. citizen or national, or be in the United States lawfully
  3. Have limited income and resources

To determine an individual’s eligibility for SSI benefits, the SSA will consider the individual’s:

ssi attorney arkansas

Who Is Eligible for SSI? 

  1. Age: Individuals aged 65 or older may be eligible for SSI benefits.
  2. Disability: To be considered disabled for SSI purposes, an individual must have a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and must be unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to the impairment.
  3. Income: SSI benefits are intended to help individuals with low income meet their basic needs. The SSA considers the individual’s countable income, which includes wages, self-employment income, and other sources of income, when determining eligibility for SSI benefits.
  4. Resources: SSI benefits are also intended for individuals with limited resources, such as cash, savings, and other assets. The SSA considers the individual’s countable resources, which includes things like bank accounts, stocks, and real estate, when determining eligibility for SSI benefits.

If an individual is found eligible for SSI benefits, the amount of the benefit will depend on the individual’s countable income and resources, as well as the cost of living in the area where the individual lives. SSI benefits are generally paid on a monthly basis, and the amount of the benefit may be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the cost of living.

In addition to financial assistance, individuals who receive SSI benefits may also be eligible for other assistance programs, such as Medicaid and food stamps.

It is important to note that SSI benefits are different from Social Security retirement benefits, which are based on an individual’s work history and contributions to the Social Security system. SSI benefits are also different from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, which are available to individuals who are unable to work due to a disability and have a sufficient work history.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our social security disability attorneys in Arkansas, and to learn more about what we can do to help you.