Nashville Supplemental Security Income Lawyers
Filing and getting approved for the supplemental security income benefits you need can be a difficult process. An experienced Nashville supplemental security income lawyer can help you obtain the funds you need as soon as possible.
When you’re unable to earn a living or are having difficulty making ends meet, you may be entitled to supplemental security income (SSI) benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA) if you meet certain requirements. However, having your claim be approved can be quite strenuous, which is why having a qualified Nashville SSI lawyer on your side can make all the difference.
At Raybin & Weissman, P.C., we are dedicated to helping those in need secure the financial assistance they need to continue supporting themselves and their families during this trying time in their lives. We will do everything we can to ensure that your SSI claim is approved so that you can begin to move forward with your life.
Who Qualifies for SSI in Nashville?
In order to qualify for supplemental security income benefits, you’ll need to meet very specific criteria, as per the SSA. Some of these requirements include being a citizen of the United States, being a minimum of sixty-five years of age, and being blind or having a disabling condition.
You must also be considered a low-income family based on the SSA’s maximum threshold and have minimal cash, property, and other valuable assets at your disposal. When you aren’t sure whether you meet the eligibility requirements, you can reach out to your Nashville SSI lawyer for assistance.
Your Supplemental Security Income Benefits
Once your claim for SSI benefits has been approved, you’ll begin collecting your monthly stipend, if you will. As of 2018, the federal compensation rate is an average of $750 per person and $1,125 per couple. This amount can vary dramatically depending on how much you are able to earn on your own without SSI benefit assistance.
In addition to these monthly benefits, you will also be entitled to Medicaid healthcare provided by the state and backpay. Your retroactive benefits will be paid from the date that you originally applied for benefits through the date of your approval. This means that if it took six months to get your SSI claim approved, you can reasonably expect to get six months of retroactive backpay.
How to Appeal Your Denied SSI Claim
It may come as a surprise to learn that a significant number of SSI claims will be denied, despite meeting the eligibility requirements. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t appeal your case, as the chances of your claim getting approved in the appeals process are actually quite high.
First and foremost, our supplemental security income lawyers will begin by working with the SSA to see if we can fix any issues that there were in your initial application. If there was an error in your paperwork or if the SSA requires additional documentation, these problems can be easily resolved.
To begin your formal appeal, our SSI lawyer will file an appeal request and disability report with the SSA. This will need to be done within sixty days of your denial. This deadline is critical, as if the sixty-day time limit expires, we will need to start all over and refile your claim for SSI benefits.
Reconsideration and Federal Court Appeals
At this point, the SSA will begin to reconsider your case. The vast majority of appeals are resolved during the reconsideration phase of your appeal. In the event that the SSA denies your reconsideration request, we will then request a hearing with an administrative law judge.
Should the judge uphold the SSA’s denial, we will have the option of having your case heard by the appeals council, who will then review the judge’s ruling.
Finally, if all else fails, we will be able to file an appeal in federal district court. This will be your last opportunity to obtain the SSI benefits you need to provide for yourself and your family. Fortunately, the likelihood of your appeal getting to this level is unlikely, and your SSI lawyer will only recommend pursuing an appeal this far if it is in your best interest to do so.
Schedule Your Free SSI Case Review Today
There is no reason why your claim approval should be held up if you meet the necessary criteria for obtaining the SSI benefits you need to continue supporting your standard of living.
For help in obtaining these benefits, you can get in touch with a seasoned Nashville supplemental security income lawyer at Raybin & Weissman, P.C. today. Schedule your free case review by completing the convenient contact form below or by calling our office at 615-256-6666.