Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled

This is a State program that offers a state supplement to SSI of up to $52 per month in 2003 to individuals who qualify for SSI or who would qualify, but for slightly higher income.

Eligibility

As with SSI, you must be disabled or age 65 or older, meet the resource test for SSI, and have countable income for a single person in 2003 of less than $584 per month if you are living in your home or less than $819 for a couple who are both disabled or age 65 or older. Countable income is arrived at by deducting $20 from unearned income such as SSI or Social Security payments with more liberal deductions available for earned income. If someone other than your spouse is living with you and providing necessary help for you to stay in the home, that person may be added to your grant for additional money if the person helping you has very low-income and resources.

How to Apply

You must apply for AABD at the State of Idaho Department of Health and Welfare office where you apply for Medicaid. You will need to check the box, "Cash Assistance" on the application form you are given.

Appeals

You have 30 days from the date on the decision to request a hearing. The hearing will be conducted over the telephone unless you specifically ask for the Hearing Officer to come to the nearest State office to you to hear your case.

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    Comprendiendo Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario

    SSI son las siglas en inglés del programa "Supplemental Security Income" que en español es Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario. La Administración del Seguro Social administra este programa. Pagamos beneficios mensuales a personas con ingresos y recursos limitados que tienen 65 años o mayores, son ciegos o incapacitados. Niños ciegos o incapacitados, al igual que adultos, pueden recibir SSI...

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      How to Report Changes to Social Security

      The Suffolk Lit Lab has developed a form to help people on SSI or SSDI create a letter to report changes to Social Security that might affect their benefits and to avoid any possible overpayments. For more information, visit their website here: https://apps.suffolklitlab.org/run/ssareportchangesletter/#/1

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        Social Security Overpayment Help

        If you need help with an SSI or SSDI overpayment issue, you can complete a form asking Social Security to waive repayment or lower the rate of repayment of the overpayment. For more information and a self-guided tool, please visit the Suffolk Lit Lab's website here:

        https://apps.suffolklitlab.org/run/ssioverpayment/#/1

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          SSI and Social Security Disability

          WHAT IS SSI?

          Go to http://www.ssa.gov, the Social Security Administration website, for an excellent explanation. SSI stands for the Supplemental Security Income program run by the federal government. SSI provides a monthly check for aged, blind, or disabled persons who are needy, and who can't work. SSI pays a low income individual $771 per month or a couple $1,157 per month (as of 2019). You must have little money or property (up to $2,000 for a single person and $3,000 for a couple) along with being aged, blind, or disabled. Your house doesn’t count.

          WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SSI AND SOCIAL SECURITY?

          Social Security disability benefits are available for disabled workers who have paid in enough money to the Social Security fund over enough quarters to have insured status. SSI has no work history requirement. Some people who have a small amount of social security disability coverage will also be able to get a check for SSI.

          WHAT DO THEY MEAN BY DISABLED?

          The test for disability is the same for Social Security and SSI. Basically you must have a medical or mental health problem which keeps you from working full-time for at least a year. The Department of Health and Human Services, which runs the Social Security Administration, has rules and regulations which they use to define disability.

          When you apply for disability, Social Security checks to see if you are working. People who work and earn over a certain amount per month ($1,220 for 2019) are considered to be able to do "substantial gainful activity" (SGA) and they are denied disability. Social Security will look at the medical condition to see if it is "severe." A severe condition must be expected to result in death or last a year before they consider you disabled. There are 14 types of super severe conditions recognized by the Social Security Administration. If your condition matches any of the ones described in these 14 categories, you will qualify for benefits. If you have a severe impairment that does not match any of the 14 types of conditions, then the Social Security Administration will look at your age, education, and work experience to see if there is other work that you can do.

          HOW TO APPLY

          Any citizen or legal permanent resident can apply for SSI benefits at a local Social Security District Office. Call the following toll free number if you don't have a district office in your area and a service representative will assist you with the application. 1-800-772-1213.

          A claims representative will assist you in filling out the application. You don't need to personally fill the entire form out. A friend or relative can help you, but you must sign it unless you are mentally or physically unable to sign your name. The application form asks information such as:

          • when you last worked;
          • the nature of your condition;
          • what doctors and hospitals treated you;
          • medications you are taking;
          • information about income and resources.

          The application form is sent to the Disability Determinations Service in Boise, who recommend disability decisions for the Social Security Administration.

          MEDICAID

          You are eligible for Medicaid if you qualify for SSI, but you must file a separate application. An application for Social Security or SSI is not an application for Medicaid. Medicaid is a government run medical insurance program that pays for medical care. You should apply for Medicaid at your local Idaho
          Department of Health and Welfare Office at the same time as you apply for SSI.

          HOW TO APPEAL

          Most SSI disability applications are denied at first. If your application is denied you have 60 days to appeal. Forms are available at the local Social Security office for appealing. Social Security has informal hearings at the reconsideration level in some cases. If you are turned down at reconsideration, you can ask for a hearing in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ). The ALJs travel to Idaho on a monthly basis to hear cases. They will listen to your testimony
          and your witnesses and review the evidence in your file. It usually takes six weeks to three months for them to issue a written decision. If they turn you down you may appeal to the Appeals Council in Washington D.C. and then to federal court.

          DO YOU NEED AN ATTORNEY?

          If you are denied disability benefits and feel that you are disabled, you should see an attorney. Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. represents hundreds of claimants for SSI disability. Your chances of winning an SSI appeal are much better if you have an attorney.

          Here are 10 good reasons for getting an attorney:

          1. Your attorney knows the laws and regulations involved.
          2. Your attorney will help you get all the medical and other evidence that you need.
          3. Your attorney will contact your doctors and explain the requirements of the Social Security regulations.
          4. Your attorney will review the file Social Security has put together on your case and make sure it is
            complete.
          5. Your attorney will assist you with the special rules that apply to termination cases and overpayment
            cases and income or resource denials.
          6. Your attorney can seek a waiver of a time limit or seek to reopen a prior claim.
          7. Your attorney will prepare you to testify at your hearing.
          8. Your attorney can subpoena witnesses for your hearing and cross-examine experts that Social Security hires.
          9. Your attorney will argue for you at your hearing.
          10. Your attorney will review your hearing decision if you lose and help you appeal if it is necessary.

          HOW DO I GET AN ATTORNEY?

          For SSI and Social Security Disability claims, contact the nearest Idaho Legal Aid Services office listed on the back of this pamphlet, or the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives, 1-800-431-2804, or the Idaho State Bar, 334-4500, to receive a referral.

          This page is for information only. If you have questions about your disability claim, contact an attorney.

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            SSI Application Tool

            Persons who want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can use an online tool that was just released by the Social Security Administration. Applicants and individuals assisting applicants can use this tool to request an appointment to apply for SSI benefits. The request establishes a protective filing date that will be used as the application date, so long as the individual submits an SSI application within 60 days. Establishing a protective filing date is important because the protective filing date is used to determine when an individual can start receiving SSI benefits.

            An individual only needs to provide basic information to make the online request. After the individual submits the request, the Social Security Administration will schedule an appointment to apply for benefits by phone and send notification of the appointment within 7-14 business days.

            An individual can also indicate a "priority life circumstance," such as homelessness, a terminal illness, or recent release from incarceration, that will prompt an SSA employee to attempt to contact the applicant by phone within three business days, to apply for SSI at that time, or schedule an appointment to apply.  

             

            Click below to use this new tool developed by the Social Security Administration: 

            Social Security Administration's Online SSI Application Tool

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              SSI Y Los beneficios de Seguro Social

              QUE ES SSI?

              Cheque http://www.ssa.gov, sitio Web de la Administración de Seguro Social, para una explicación excelente. SSI (siglas en Ingles) significa el programa de Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario administrado por el gobierno federal. SSI provee un cheque mensual para las personas ancianas, ciegas, o discapacitadas quienes están necesitadas, y que no pueden trabajar. SSI le paga a una persona individual de bajos ingresos $771 por mes o a una pareja $1157 por mes (desde enero 2019). Usted tiene que tener poco dinero o propiedad (hasta $2,000 por una persona sola y $3,000 por una pareja) junto con ser anciano, ciego, o discapacitado. Su casa no cuenta....

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                Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

                WHAT IS SSI?

                SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. Social Security administers this program. We pay monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children, as well as adults, can get SSI.

                For more information about eligibility, how to apply, overpayment and appeals, go to the SSA website.

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                  When Your Social Security Benefits are Taken to Pay Back Money to the Federal Government

                  Social Security income is a lifeline for most seniors. Because it is considered so essential for survival, it has traditionally been protected from attachment by creditors. However, there are some exceptions. 

                  Please review the guide below for more information.

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