Determining if you Meet the Medical Requirements for SSI

In order to apply for supplemental security income (SSI) there are a series of medical requirements that you must meet. It is probably a good idea to make a checklist of the requirements needed in order to make determining if you meet the medical requirements for SSI easier.  All claims are accepted on the basis that a medical condition either impairs or has a significant impact on a person’s ability to work.

Determining If You Meet the Medical Requirements for SSI

The first thing you need to do is to read and complete the application for Social Security Benefits and the Disability Report.  You will be required to provide a record of the medications you take, contact information for your doctor, hospital, caseworker, copies of medical records that you have, lab test results, W-2s and an explanation of where you worked and what you did while there.  From that point social security takes a look at how many years that you worked.  SSI is based more on “need” and in order to qualify you must meet the income requirements.

What are the Requirements?

You will be considered medically disabled if your medical condition is severe, is listed on the state agency’s list of impairments (a list of automatically qualifying disabilities).  Additionally, if you cannot do the work that you once did because of your disability and are unable to do any other kind of work, you will be considered disabled. The SSA will also look at what, if any, impact disability has on your life and your ability to work.

Because SSI is also different from social security disability benefits, your income will be essential. If you exceed the minimum income limits, you will not be permitted to apply for SSI on the basis of disability.

In addition, if more information is needed you will be contacted to go and have a special examination performed.

Getting Help

You might consider speaking with a disability attorney to get better insight and to gauge your chances of getting a SSI claim approved.  A disability attorney knows the law inside and out and can give you sound advice on what steps you should take with your claim from start to finish.  They can also advise you of your personal rights so that you will not be in the dark when it comes to what you can and cannot do.  You can easily download the application and disability report at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityreport.  Once you complete the paperwork, have an attorney review the entire package before submitting.