| Supplemental
Security Income (SSI)
What Your Client Needs to Apply
Your clients may need to provide the following information
to apply for SSI benefits:
- Social Security number
(Social Security number cards and replacements can be requested through the
SSA Web site at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/)
- Birth certificate or other proof of age
(the SSA Web site can help you locate the appropriate contact to obtain a
copy of your client’s birth certificate at www.socialsecurity.gov/vitalstats.html)
- If your client has a disability, he/she will
need to provide the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of doctors,
hospitals, and clinics where he/she has been treated.
Original documents or copies certified by the issuing
office must be provided.
 Obtaining
a Social Security Card/Replacement Card
Application
Process
Renewal
Process
Appeals
Process
Obtaining a
Social Security Card/Replacement Card
To get a Social Security number or card, your client
will need to complete an Application for a Social Security Card (Form
SS-5), and show documents that prove his/her age, identity, U.S. citizenship
or lawful alien status.
Your client can get a Social Security application by:
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Application
Process
Your client can either apply for SSI in person or he/she can call the Social
Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 to set up an appointment
for a phone interview.
Social Security considers the application filing date to be the day your client
makes an appointment to apply for SSI. If your client fails to keep this appointment,
Social Security will send a letter to your client informing him/her to apply
within 60 days from the date on the letter in order to use the date of the
original call as the application date.
Your client should begin to receive his/her SSI
benefits beginning the first full month after
the month he/she filed the applications, or
in the month following the month in which he/she
first become eligible. If your client is disabled,
the determination process for SSI may be longer.
For example, if your client submits his/her application in January and SSA
approves it in April, then he/she will receive the first benefit payment in
May, which will include the benefit payments for February, March, April, and
May. If your client calls SSA to schedule an appointment in November, submits
his/her application in January and SSA approves it in May, then he/she will
receive the first benefit payment in May, which will include the benefit payments
for December, January, February, March, April, and May.
Please note there are
different applications and forms for adults and children applying to receive
SSI benefits. Be sure to call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213
if your client has any questions.
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Renewal
Process
Social Security will regularly re-evaluate your client’s eligibility
for SSI benefits to make sure that he/she is still eligible and receiving the
proper amount. The length of time between scheduled re-evaluations varies depending
on the likelihood that your client’s situation may change in a way that
affects his/her eligibility and/or payment amount.
If your client was eligible as a child in the month before he/she turned 18
years of age, he/she must have his/her eligibility re-evaluated. The re-evaluation
will be done during the one-year period beginning on your client’s 18th
birthday. Social Security uses the rules for adults filing new claims to do
the re-evaluation.
Social Security will contact your client for the re-evaluation. It may be conducted
by mail, telephone, or personal interview. Your client will be asked to provide
the same kind of information that he/she gave when he/she first applied.
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Appeals
Process
If your client is deemed ineligible to receive SSI benefits, a
letter will be sent to your client explaining the decision and how to appeal
the decision. Your client has the right to appeal this decision if he/she does
not agree with it.
When appealing a decision made by Social Security, your client should know
there is a four-step appeal process:
(1) Reconsideration
(2) Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
(3) Review by the Appeals Council
(4) Federal court review
(1) Reconsideration
Your client may request a review of the case if he/she disagrees with the first
decision. Then, a person who did not make the first decision will decide
the case again.
(2) Hearing by an ALJ
If your client disagrees with the reconsideration, he/she may request a hearing
before an ALJ.
(3) Appeals Council Review
If your client disagrees with the ALJ's action, he/she may request that the
Appeals Council review the case.
(4) Federal Court Review
Your client may request an appeal through the
United States court system, starting with the
United States District Court, if he/she disagrees
with the Appeals Council's decision, or if his/her
request for a review is denied.
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