Who Can Get SSI in North Carolina? 2024

Getting Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, in North Carolina is not the easiest task. You need to meet certain criteria set forth by the Social Security Administration (SSA), and you must make sure your application has no simple mistakes. This can be difficult to accomplish when you apply for SSI benefits on your own. Knowing who is eligible for SSI in North Carolina and how you can meet the necessary requirements is a necessity to ensure a strong chance at a successful claim.

Who Can Get SSI in North Carolina?

In order to be considered for SSI benefits in North Carolina, it is important to understand the criteria one must meet. These benefits are intended for people dealing with life-altering disabilities and low income that make it difficult for them to meet their daily needs. As an SSI applicant, you must be at least 65 years old, suffer from blindness, or have a significant disability that keeps you from holding gainful employment.

Additionally, you must have severely limited income and very few resources, as well as be a naturalized citizen of the United States and a current resident of the country.

If you qualify for SSI benefits, you may also want to research other benefits you may qualify for through the Social Security Administration, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Qualifying for SSI doesn’t exempt you from receiving other forms of assistance.

What Exactly Is Supplemental Security Income?

Essentially, Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a federal program available through the Social Security Administration that provides monthly financial assistance to applicants who are deemed eligible through a rigorous vetting process.

The vetting process may involve a formal hearing and discussion about sensitive financial information. It may require the assistance of an experienced SSI lawyer. These benefits are largely in place to assist vulnerable members of society who need additional financial help with clothing, housing, food, and other necessities.

SSI benefits are based on the needs of the qualifying individual, which means they are not based on any fixed amount. That amount can also be reduced, depending on the needs of the individual, who must report any changes to their income, housing situation, or resources every month. If the individual marries a spouse or lives with a partner who makes additional income, the amount they receive in SSI benefits may be greatly reduced or entirely eliminated.

How to Apply for SSI Benefits

If you wish to apply for SSI benefits, you can find an application on the Social Security Administration’s website, reach out over the phone, or visit your local SSA office in person and speak with an agent there. You should be aware that the application process is not easy. It can be overwhelming, confusing, and somewhat intimidating. Many initial applications are turned down due to small mistakes.

To avoid making these mistakes on your application, you may want to consult with an experienced SSI lawyer from the start. A good lawyer can help you with the application process and make sure you don’t make any simple mistakes that could hold back your application. If you are concerned that you may mess up your application, you should consult with an SSI lawyer about the details of your case, including the desire for an appeal if it comes to that.

FAQs

Q: What Makes Someone Eligible for SSI Benefits?

A: To be eligible for SSI benefits, you must meet certain criteria set forth by the Social Security Administration. If you don’t meet these criteria, there is a strong chance your application will be denied. To qualify for SSI, you have to be at least 65 years old or have a significant disability at any age. Your income must be so low that it barely constitutes a living wage and keeps you from handling basic necessities.

Q: Will You Fill Out All My Forms for Me?

A: No, we cannot fill out all of your forms for you during the application process. We can complete many of the forms on your behalf and help you with a significant amount of the paperwork, but there are some forms that only you can fill out. There are certain sensitive questions on the application that only you will know the answers to. However, we can assist you with other steps of the SSI process.

Q: Which Disabilities Qualify for SSI Benefits?

A: There are many different disabilities that qualify for SSI benefits. For your disability to be considered debilitating enough to warrant monthly financial assistance from the SSA, your medical condition must meet the following criteria:

• Your disability must last at least 12 months or result in your eventual death.
• It must fall under an equal impairment from the impairment list on the SSA’s website.
• It must leave you totally incapable of holding down gainful employment.

Q: Who Cannot Receive SSI?

A: Essentially, everybody who does not meet the necessary requirements is ineligible for SSI benefits. If you earn a significant amount of monthly income or assets, you may not qualify. If you do not have a disability that meets the standards of the SSA’s impairment list or if you are currently on active duty in the U.S. Military, you won’t qualify. The list includes other people and situations that do not fit the criteria for benefits.

Contact an Experienced SSI Lawyer Today

Knowing whether you qualify for SSI assistance can be a difficult situation. You might be feeling anxious or worried about the results of your application. It is important to keep in mind that many applications are initially rejected for a number of reasons. The appeals process serves to rectify the situation and secure the benefits you need. You should speak with an SSI lawyer about all the options you may have available to you for an appeal.

The legal team at Bridgman Gantt Law Offices can help you figure out a plan for pursuing your SSI benefits and working on an appeal if it comes to that. Contact us to speak with a valued team member today.