By Brandon Allen, Attorney and Jennifer Schilling, Law Clerk
McDonald, Levy and Taylor, PLLC
Childhood Supplemental Security Income
- Must be under 18 or under 22 and be a student regularly attending school
- To be eligible, a child must either be blind or disabled
- In most states, a child who receives SSI may also receive Medicaid to help pay medical bill
- There is no charge to apply for SSI
- Title XVI of the Social Security Act, SSI for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled was compiled January 1, 2003
- August 2021, there were a total of 1,065,278 child recipients
- Child recipients averaged just under $700 a month in 2019
- Tennessee had around 22,000 child recipients in 2019
65+ Supplemental Security Income
- Eligibility requirements include 65 and older, blind or disabled, and who has limited income, limited resources, and who is a U.S. citizen or national and resident of the United States, DC, or the Northern Mariana Islands
- Non-eligible people include those who have an unsatisfied felony or arrest warrant, someone who is in prison or jail, someone who is in a public institution, and those who give away resources to meet the SSI limit
- Applicants have the right to receive help from social security, the right to a representative, right to a notice about SSI eligibility or a change in the benefit amount, the right to examine their files, and the right to an appeal
The Attorneys at MLT Would Be Happy to Assist
The Social Security Disability process can be a long and difficult one, and it may seem impossible to navigate without competent legal assistance. Nearly 60% of all first-time applications are denied disability benefits; however, an initial denial does not necessarily mean that you are not entitled to benefits. Attorneys with McDonald, Levy & Taylor will build the strongest possible claim for you to prove your eligibility. We will simplify and expedite the process by helping you complete your application, greatly improving the chances of your claim being approved.