SSI application

Rowena Ilagan

Rowena Ilagan

Messages
72
Hello fellow M.E. warriors,

I have been on disability and disability retirement now from my government job here in CA for the past 3 years. I didn't qualify for SSDI since the City of Los Angeles had their own retirement system. For some reason, I had overlooked SSI so now that it's under my radar. Any suggestions/insight from CA folks who have applied? What documents might I need? I'm planning to call the office this coming week and see about applying in person as soon as I've overcome this last bout with a flu bug. The joys of M.E.! Thank you all in advance.
 
*GG*

*GG*

senior member
Messages
6,397
Location
Concord, NH
Rowena Ilagan said:
Hello fellow M.E. warriors,

I have been on disability and disability retirement now from my government job here in CA for the past 3 years. I didn't qualify for SSDI since the City of Los Angeles had their own retirement system.

For some reason, I had overlooked SSI so now that it's under my radar. Any suggestions/insight from CA folks who have applied? What documents might I need?

I'm planning to call the office this coming week and see about applying in person as soon as I've overcome this last bout with a flu bug. The joys of M.E.! Thank you all in advance.
Click to expand...

Los Angeles HAD its own Retirement system, it no longer exist? I didn't make good money until I had a few years in my Gov't job, think my lawyer told me if I had to rely on SS(D)I? I would only get about $700 a month, hopefully that doesn't happen, don't see how I am going to Exist on that!

I am curious to follow this as well, I am in a similar boat
th


GG
 
G

geraldt52

Senior Member
Messages
603
I can't be of much help, but the sticking point for many/most folks regarding SSI is that it is means-tested, so you would have to have very low income and few assets to qualify. I would not be at all surprised if the maximum benefit was $700/month.

With anything involving Social Security it is wise to consult with a lawyer specializing in Soc Sec, who typically charge nothing if you don't get benefits. It is best not to rely on things you read on a forum, and best not to rely on anything that a Social Security office tells you.
 
Mary

Mary

Moderator Resource
Messages
17,814
Location
Texas Hill Country
I would start here: https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/
Click the link "am I eligible for SSI benefits" and see what you find out. @geraldt52 is right, your income has to be quite low to get SSI. I don't know the limits, but I think you should be able to get a good idea from this site whether or not you are eligible.

There is a lot of good information about Social Security on-line at the official government website. I have found that Social Security agents by phone are generally pretty knowledgeable and helpful as well. But do your own research too.

You don't need a lawyer to answer all questions about social security, and for general SS information, I don't think most attorneys are going to give out free advice anyways. But if you were applying for benefits, or appealing a denial of benefits, then yes, a lawyer could help you and would only collect a fee (a percentage of your award) if you won.

When I first applied for SSDI, I did the application on my own. Not surprisingly, it was denied. I contacted an attorney who told me to file the appeal paperwork myself, and that if the appeal was denied, to come see him. Surprisingly, I won, on my own, on appeal. I'm not recommending that course, I think in most cases it probably would be helpful to have an attorney do the appeal.
 
*GG*

*GG*

senior member
Messages
6,397
Location
Concord, NH
geraldt52 said:
I can't be of much help, but the sticking point for many/most folks regarding SSI is that it is means-tested, so you would have to have very low income and few assets to qualify. I would not be at all surprised if the maximum benefit was $700/month.

With anything involving Social Security it is wise to consult with a lawyer specializing in Soc Sec, who typically charge nothing if you don't get benefits. It is best not to rely on things you read on a forum, and best not to rely on anything that a Social Security office tells you.
Click to expand...

I agree, our situations can be very different, and things change, not often, but they do change!

GG
 
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