Filing for SSI if You Have Multiple Disabilities

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues and not by Social Security taxes.  SSI is intended to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income by providing funds for basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter.

An applicant is eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if he is age 65 or older; blind; or disabled, has limited income, is a U.S. citizen or national, applies for any other cash benefits or payments for which he or she may be eligible such as Social Security benefits and gives SSA permission to contact his financial institutions and request his financials records.

SSI Definition of Disabled

An adult, age 18 and older, is considered to be "disabled" if he or she has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, which:

• results in the inability to do any substantial gainful activity;

and

• can be expected to result in death; or
• has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

Multiple Disabilities Combine to “Medically Equate” a Listing Criteria of One Disability

Medical evidence may establish that you are disabled if:

0. This is called "meeting" a listing disability criteria; or

0. All the evidence in the applicant’s case record shows he has an impairment or combination of impairments that is medically as severe as a listed impairment.  This process is referred to as "medically equaling" a listing.

A diagnosis alone may not meet the guidelines of the Listing. To be considered as "meeting" a listing, an adult's or a child's impairment must have the same or similar symptoms, clinical signs, and laboratory findings specified in the Listing.

Getting Legal Help

Navigating through the maze that is Supplemental Security Income and Social Security can be a daunting task.  Seeking the assistance of a qualified disability law attorney for direct is not only reasonable but a smart move.  Getting benefits can take up to two years and if mistakes are made even longer.  Ask for the legal help needed before problems with the application start appearing.