3 Factors Used In Determining Supplemental Security Income Benefits

January 22, 2014

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans apply to receive Supplemental Security Income due to a lack of other resources. Large portions of these claims are denied though. This leaves many applicants wondering what the most common Supplemental Security Income Denial Factors are.

In order to receive these benefits, a claimant must first meet three standards. These include having limited amounts of:

• Assets– A claimant can have no more than a total of $2,000 in resources. This includes cash, property, and vehicles.
• Income– Recipients of supplemental income can make no more money than the allowable limit. Factors used to figure total income include earned income, unearned income, the amount of food or shelter that the claimant receives for free or discount, and a spouse’s income.
• Living Arrangements– Factors such as if a residence is being rented or purchased, if a claimant is hospitalized, institutionalized, or are living in a long-term care facility will each be used to determine a claimants benefit total.

If the Social Security Administration decides to deny an individual’s claim based off these factors, the claimant has a right to appeal the decision.

The Supplemental Security Income Attorneys with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin are aware of how complex the appeal process can be. That is why the firm urges anyone who has had a Supplemental Security Income claim denied to speak with a reputable attorney immediately.