Can A Disability Lawyer Help You Qualify For SSDI And SSI Disability Benefits?

Many of the people that qualify for an SSI payment will also receive a smaller amount of their Social Security Disability and benefits as well. When you apply for both benefits it’s called a concurrent claim and a good disability advocate or lawyer, such as the Raleigh NC firm Disability Advocates Group, can help you here.

In specific circumstances, it is entirely possible to collect both SSI and the SSDI benefits concurrently. This is what happens when the applicant is approved for their disability or SSDI and is only receiving a smaller amount of money. Typically, when someone is receiving a low amount of money it’s because they didn’t work too long or didn’t work in the most recent years.

Qualifying For SSI With an Advocates Help

In order to qualify for SSI payment as well as SSDI payments, the unearned income or the SSDI must be lower than $750 on a monthly basis. The SSI income limits are quite complicated, however, their limit is typically higher in most states and if you’re still able to work and earn some money, that income won’t count toward the limit that is allotted. However, there are specific limits that are set and specific guidelines that are followed when calculating the overall amounts.

If the assets and the income are low enough to allow you to qualify for Supplemental Security, and if you worked long enough that you will qualify for your Social Security Disability, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll receive both of the payouts at one time. It’s important to keep in mind that the SSDI payment will be included in the calculation of the eligibility for your SSI. Often, your SSDI payment is so high that you’re not going to qualify for the SSI benefit.

Monthly Payment For Concurrent SSI Benefits and SSDI Benefits

The current payment allotment for SSI is $750. If you’re receiving an SSDI benefit that is lower than this and you are qualified for your SSI, you’ll also receive an SSI payment. That means if you qualify, you’ll be receiving both payments on a monthly basis. If you’re receiving SSDI at $500, you’ll then receive $350 from the SSI payment to total the limited amount.

If you’ve received approval for your SSDI, however, you’re still within the five-month wait period, you’re not going to get an SSDI payment, however, you may still get the SSI payments if you haven’t any countable income. When the SSDI payments begin, the waiting period is over and you’re not going to receive any type of higher amount of combined benefits. In fact, the SSI payment will be taken down a notch by the amount of your SSDI payment so that you can reach the maximum allowed payment of $750.

How You Apply For Concurrent Benefits Via Your Attorney

Regardless of whether you’ve applied for an SSI or an SSDI, the Social Security Office is going to determine whether or not the claims are concurrent. This will be dependent on the income and assets that are shown on your application. Your disability claim won’t make any difference in the processing of the claim or the Disability determination services that are set forth by the industry standards. The definition of disability and the evaluation process are the same in both of the programs.

The Benefits Of A Concurrent Claim

The main benefit to a concurrent claim is that it can raise the level to a benefit of $750 per month in lieu of a lesser amount.

The benefit of being able to collect both SSDI and SSI is that you may also be eligible to use Medicare as you’re also an SSDI recipient, however, there is a two year wait period from the time that the SSDI benefits and eligibility begin.

By contrast, SSI recipients are also eligible for Medicaid. While the Medicaid provides payment for more of the services than Medicare does, there are some doctors who only accept Medicare so it’s easier to find the providers. There is more information available on this in the article that discusses Medicare and Medicaid on disability. So remember, if you do need help, be sure to reach out to the experts at Disability Advocates Group at (919) 815-4889. They did great by me so I know they’ll be able to help you.