ssi or disability?

Question

i know someone who suffers from severe ADD and also depression........also anxiety attacks. she hasnt been able to hold a job much less excel IN a job in over 3 years.....its really taking a toll on her. i feel she should apply for some kind of disabily or maybe SSI......can anyone tell me the guidelines for these kinds of problems compared to each? she sees a doctor and takes medications such as anti depressants and anxiety related medications. how hard is it to get assistance from the government for people with these kinds of problems?
thanks for any replies and please no negative comments

Answer 1

Yes she can...Call the SS 800 number and they will send papers, then she can do the interview over the phone. They will ask for medical release so they can check with her doctors and they more than likely will send her to one of theres...This is a process and does take time...

Answer 2

Social Security Administration will evaluate her 2 ways, medically and financially. She may be eligible for either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) depending on her work history and financial resources. The medical criteria for both programs is the same, and the application process for both is simultaneous.

Medically, she will have to prove that, due to her disability(s), she is unable to earn income for 12 months or more above the "substantial gainful activity" level which was set at $860/month for 2006. It will be easier to prove this if she has up-to-date medical or mental health records. If she has worked for short periods of time but hasn't been able to continue because of her disability, she may still be eligible. SSA calls this an Unsuccessful Work Attempt.

Financially, if she has very low (below $860/mo.) or no earned income and she doesn't own resources beyond $2,000 ($3,000 for a couple), she may be financially eligible for SSI. Some resources don't count such as 1 vehicle, the house one lives in, equipment necessary for work, etc. If one is married, SSA will also consider the spouse's income and resources. If she has a work history, she may be eligible for SSDI. SSDI doesn't have a limit on your resources, but it still requires that earned income is below the Substantial Gainful Activity level I mentioned above.

To get information on how to apply for benefits, go to: http://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/

Many people are denied on their initial application because they did not provide enough medical information. In this case, I recommend making an appeal. Here is a national list of independent living centers. A benefits advocate can be helpful. http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/directory/index.html

Also, here's a great group of people who've been through the process personally: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ssadisability/

Answer 3

You have to be employed at least 5 years to draw disability benefits. She will have to go to the local Social Security office to file.90% chance she will be denied the first time,so the next step is to get a lawyer that does Social Security and SSI only.File and appeal wait on and court date and if approved the lawyer will get 25% of her back time benefits,if she is NOT approved(this rarely happens with a good lawyer) then the lawyer gets nothing.Chances are she will HAVE to get a lawyer make sure it is one that is paid by percentage.It is a very long process.There are people with worse disabilities getting disapproved.Hope it helps:)

Answer 4

She needs an attorney to petition for her. If she needs help finding one, the federal government contracts with local atty's to represent the unrepresented.

Answer 5

its not hard at all, they are legitmate issues. You have to apply for either one at the Social Security office, they will determine which one she qualifies for...