How do I qualify for SSI in South Carolina?

We often get questions at Coastal Disability about whether a claimant could qualify for Supplemental Security Insurance benefits.

First, let’s look at the difference between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits: SSDI is the program designed for claimants who have a fairly steady work record, and have paid into the disability fund through payroll deductions (FICA taxes). If you have not accrued at least 40 quarters of coverage during your career, or if you have not worked in the last five years, your coverage for SSDI may have lapsed. Your local Social Security field office can let you know what your date last insured is.

If you don’t qualify for SSDI, you should look into whether you qualify for SSI. A professional representative from Coastal Disability can help you with how to do this. SSI qualification is what is referred to as “needs-based”, meaning it is not based on your work record but rather on your financial need. So this means that having too much in the way of cash or bank accounts, or too much in the way of property (home, land, automobiles, etc.) can disqualify you from the SSI program. At Coastal Disability, we can show you how some of your assets may be excluded based on the Code of Federal Regulations. The maximum value of cash and property for an individual is $2000 dollars, and for a couple it is $3000 dollars.

The other difference between SSDI and SSI is that in an SSDI claim, the alleged onset date of disability can be back-dated as much as 17 months prior to the date of application; with an SSI claim, the date of the application will become the onset date of the disability if you win benefits, which can mean you may be entitled to less retroactive benefits.

Coastal Disability is experienced at helping clients file for and win both SSDI and SSI benefits, in fact, our success rate is 97%!

Filing a disability claim can be a frustrating process. Let us help. We don’t get paid unless you do.

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