OBrien and Feiler Law

What is Social Security Disability (SSD)?

The Social Security Act provides benefits that supply disabled workers with steady income after they are no longer able to work for a living.

What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

SSI does not have the same work requirements as SSD. In fact, there are no work requirements associated with the SSI program whatsoever. Instead, there are rigid financial qualifications that apply. As a rule, aside from your home and one car (which don’t count against you), SSI applicants must have fewer than $2,000 in assets for a single person and $3,000 in assets for a married couple.

Does the SSA think my condition is a disability?

If you can’t work because of your mental or physical condition, you are one step along the path to getting SSD or SSI benefits. It is important to note that the Social Security Administration does not examine all medical conditions using the same criteria. Some very serious medical conditions count as disabilities straight away.

SSA denied my Disability or SSI claim. What now?

If your application is denied, the denial letter will note your right to appeal the decision as well as the time frame to do so. Every person claiming SSD or SSI benefits has the right to appeal their case multiple times. This appeal process allows more time to let a case develop, allows more medical evidence to be collected, and shows a linear course of treatment.