Nashville SSI Lawyers Fighting for Benefits

There are certain people in the United States who for any number of reasons are not able to sustain gainful activity that will produce enough income to meet their basic needs. Generally, if someone is disabled to the point where there is little chance that he or she will ever be able to generate enough income to survive, that person has options for financial benefits that are available from the federal government. One such option is known as Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, which is administered by the Social Security Administration, or SSA.

For reasons that will be discussed below, anyone who finds themselves in this situation needs to seek the help of Tennessee SSI lawyers as soon as possible. Below you'll find information regarding how the SSI application process generally works, what happens when the initial application is denied, how the appeals process unfolds for those who want to continue to pursue benefits and finally how you should proceed if you need these benefits and the help of experienced Nashville SSI attorneys.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – The Application Process

In order to apply for SSI benefits, a person needs to be deemed as eligible. The SSA has several published requirements that should be reviewed before beginning the application process. Qualifications include facts such as the applicant is:

• Aged or elderly – This usually means that the applicant is 65 or older
• Blind – A person does not need to be completely blind, but must have very poor eyesight
• Disabled – Disabled is a term that encompasses many factors, such as a physical or mental problem that will last for at least a year or until death.

These are not all-inclusive eligibility requirements. People of any age can apply for SSI benefits as long as they are either blind or disabled, but the factors listed above are those that are most prominently considered. There are also other requirements such as the applicant must either be a United States citizen or legal alien and must live in one of the 50 states or territories.

Assuming someone is eligible for SSI benefits, the process begins with the completion of an application. This application can be completed at the local SSA office, over the phone or online, but it's best to begin this process in-person with a Nashville SSI lawyer at your side, as this will minimize the chance that something will go wrong and delay the process.

Generally, the application will provide information that shows that the applicant is disabled and unable to take part in gainful activity including employment and that the applicant's financial situation is such that he or she needs this financial assistance in order to meet his or her most basic monthly obligations. Unfortunately, a decision regarding this application can take several months to receive.

Denial of an SSI Application in Tennessee

Statistics have shown that the majority of people who apply for SSI benefits are denied those benefits based on their initial application. There are many reasons for this statistical reality, but the most common basis for denials is that the applicant was not found to be disabled to the point where he or she would be unable to engage in gainful activity that includes the generation of income on some level.

Anyone who receives such a denial should not feel despair, as this is a common scenario. What needs to be done at that point is to file a 'Request for Reconsideration' form within 60 days of receiving the denial so that an appeal can be held on the applicant's status, eligibility and need for these benefits. If this form is filed in a timely manner, an appeal hearing will be scheduled.

The Supplemental Security Income Appeal Hearing

The appeal hearing occurs at the local SSA office and is held in front of what's known as an Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ. The ALJ is not a judge who handles trials, but rather is usually an employee of the SSA. The hearing itself involves the offering of testimony and statements, the offering of evidence that proves the level of disability of the applicant and the formation of arguments designed to persuade the ALJ that the awarding of benefits is appropriate in the matter at hand.

After all of the evidence is offered, the testimony given and the arguments made, the ALJ will end the hearing and render a decision. Unfortunately, these appeals decisions can take several months to be completed, although that timeframe can vary widely depending on the caseload at that local SSA office.

Our Nashville SSI Attorneys Can Help

If you or someone you love is in need of SSI and you want to make sure that you're doing everything possible to obtain those benefits, you need to take the immediate step of obtaining the help of experienced Tennessee SSI lawyers. An attorney can appear with you at the initial application meeting, can help you prepare the documents for your application, can request an appeal if benefits are denied and can appear at your side at the hearing to offer arguments and evidence on your behalf. If you need these benefits, contact the Nashville SSI lawyers at Michael D. Ponce & Associates as soon as possible to schedule a free initial consultation.