I applied for ssi and in a few weeks got a letter saying no because I had over three grand in the bank???
I am 59 and would hope I had a bit in the bank after all the years I worked and saved. I have stents and didn't have the hip operation I needed and then got laid off and now no insurance. I can't stand because of hips, sometimes can't walk but I manage. I also have diabetes.
Everyone told me to apply een the lady at SS. I had no idea that if you were unable to work that your bank account came into it. In a few more months it will be at their level they want. Do I wait till I loes everything or get an attorney to help? :confused:

Just a quick response cause im new at this too, but from what i've learned, you need to apply for is disablilty, not ssi. Someone will give much better info, but (ssi) does consider "$" but disability is something you have put into and deserve when needed and dosnt consider amt of money, or assests. Anyway, lots of help available here, so good luck.

When you applied did they tell you that you were applying for both SSDI and SSI? That is what they had me do. You said that you have worked and saved all these years, did they say you had enough points for SSDI? If so the letter stating you do not qualify for SSI may simply mean that, not SSI but does not mean you do not qualify for SSDI. SSDI is Social Security Disability Insurance, workers pay into to this out of each check. SSI is Supplement Security Income, this is for people who become disabled but do NOT have enough work points to get SSDI. Did your letter state that the only reason you did not qualify for SSI is because of your bank account? If so that might be a good sign that they do find you disabled and you will be approved for SSDI.
Hiring or not hiring a lawyer is a personal decision. You will hear from both sides good and bad. I did not hire a lawyer, I was denied on the first app. asked for a reconcideration, denied on that, asked for a hearing but rather than wait 12 to 18 months I asked for an "on-the-record" decision and was approved. The best advice I can give is to keep good records and a journal of how your life is affected daily by your disabilities. I kept one and sent it in with my request for OTR, I think it helped them see what I was going through on a day to day basis.
SSDI does have a period of 5 months that they do not pay back benefits. Some qualify for SSI for that 5 month period. Because of your savings you won't. I hope this helps you and God bless.

To tell you the truth I am not sure what I applied for. I mean I assumed it was SSI, I don't even know what SSDI is. I was there with my daughter getting her copy of SS card she lost. The woman at the window was talking to me because I was limping and we started talking about me and then she told me I should apply and made an appt for me right then and there.

I have been told I should apply many times but felt I had to be worse off then I am.
The letter says I did not qualify for SSI because of the money. And yes, I have way more then enough hours in or points to qualify.
The letter stated; We can't pay you, we find you have resources worth more then $2,000.00 for 2005.
That was all it said well, they said I could appeal this and sell off the resources which I planned to do anyway. But that didn't mean I would get SSI either.

I am not sure what to do but I will keep a record of everything I do from now on for this as people have said here.
I thank you for your help. :wave:

Check with the lady at ss office where you applied, she can tell you what you applied for. You should qualify for ssdi, your age along with your disability should also help you to qualify since you are close to retirement age anyway. Call ss they can help!

Well they just sent me another letter about jobs and did I lift anything ect. I had to call them and ask some questions and the lady said she was setting me up for some tests and would send me the appt times.
Well I am shocked but happy I still have a chance at something... :eek:

If you don't appeal within 60 days, they will want you to start a new application.

Lisa, D you mean from the very first letter where they had said No? Because now they have sent two other letters one to my daughter and one to me as I stated above. So we answered them and sent them in.

I don't know maybe I am just really ignorant here but they don't make things very clear about anything. I didn't appeal due to the next letters asking me about jobs and panick attacks ect. Telling me they were setting up appt. for my hips.???? I was going to pay my maintenance for the next several months so I at least had that taken care of. Is that legal to do?

You should have gotten a letter that has a title on it: "Notice of Disapproval of Claim." The document will clearly state that you have 60 days to make an appeal and that the 60 days starts 5 days AFTER they sent the letter. If you haven't gotten that letter, you should be ok. BUT I WOULD STILL CALL. Ask them what the status of your application is, ask them if your claim has been denied. Be very explicit. With these people, you have to ask the right question in the right way in order to get any information! You could also contact a lawyer (ex. Binder and Binder) or some other agency (ex. Allsup, Inc.) to continue your case with Social Security. Keep appealling their denials, though! Eventually, they will HAVE to give you a face-to-face hearing with a judge.

Lisa_P,
It sounds as though sunshine12 applied for both SSI and SSDI and was denied SSI benefits for financial reasons (too much money.) Her application for SSDI benefits is moving forward and it appears as though she has not yet even received an initial decision on it. She would need to file for reconsideration if she receives a denial on her SSDI claim and wants to continue pursuing the matter.

Sunshine12, the attorney decision is entirely up to you and you'll get many opinions about whether or not to hire one and when to do so. The truth is that there is little for an attorney to do during the initial application and/or reconsideration level. These are basically fact finding stages where SSA obtains your medical records, sends you for testing if necessary, etc. in order to accrue enough information to make a decision regarding your claim.

If you are denied on reconsideration, this is the time to hire an attorney. You may wish to do some preliminary work prior to this regarding an attorney... get a few names and possibly meet with one or two of them. The majority of SS disability attorneys will recommend that you retain their services after a denial at the initial and reconsideration levels. This is where you'll need their knowledge and experience.

Lisa_P offered good advice about contacting your local SS office if you have questions or concerns about the steps you need to take during this process. You will be notified by mail regarding the decision on your claim.

--kaylbe

Lisa, The first letter said Notice of Dispproved claim. You cannot get SSI. That I needed to get rid of all my resources, stock, cash, bank account. I ca keep my condo and car. So even though they are setting up appt. for me to see Doctors I should still write back. I am going to call them today and ask. he one woman had said there wre different programs which is why she was taking over my case and sending me all these work sheets and making Dr. Appt. I will let you know. I have next to nothing now anyway. It seems incredible to get here but here I am. Thank you!!!!

If your resources have been depleted, you might get your SSI in the end. SSDI is another story.

No my resources are not totally depleated but to me they are, I stil have over
the amount for SSI. What is SSDI? I didn't get throught to SS yesterday so I will today.I mean if I sell evevrything off and then what, give it to my daughter? That is a bit risky in my eyes. Let her pay the bills?

SSDI is Disability Insurance -- it's NOT based on your financial situation, but on your ability to work. SSI is Supplemtnal Income that is based on your finances. Go to the www.ssa.gov site and read about it. It clears up a lot of questions.

Sunshine,

As Lisa stated, SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is insurance that you have paid for through payroll contributions. To qualify you must have worked approximately 5 of the past 10 years. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is welfare and based on financial need. They are two separate programs but BOTH require that you meet the same strict definition of disability. That's why you can (and apparently have been) denied SSI (welfare) because of the strict financial limitations, but may still qualify for SSDI (Disability Insurance.) They did not even begin the process to collect information on your disability for the SSI claim because you were disqualified for financial reasons. But they are doing that now in regards to your SSDI claim. You may still qualify for SSDI even though you were denied SSI. And some people can qualify for both programs if their SSDI income in extremely low. They may be eligible for a small additional payment from SSI.

As far as your finances go, is your main problem the amount of cash you currently have on hand/in bank? If the money is in the bank, I'd withdraw it and reapply for SSI. They don't care where or how the money was spent. Do you have any expenses right now that you could wisely spend down some of those funds on? Stock up on a few months medication? Go ahead with that much needed car/house repair? There are a few other assets that SSI is concerned with (stocks, etc.) and you can find out about those on the SSA web page.

You might be far better off spending down that cash, one way or another, to qualify yourself for SSI. Medical insurance is the reason why. If you are able to qualify for SSI, you will immediately be eligible for Medicaid in your state. That should leave you paying very little out of pocket medical expenses. If you qualify eventually for SSDI, you will be eligible for Medicare but not until you have been receiving benefits for 24 months. The availability of immediate Medicaid coverage that comes with SSI benefits would likely put you in a better place financially even if you have to spend down some of your cash. Don't "give" it to anyone. Just find a way for whatever amount you're over the SSI limit to "disappear."

--kaylbe

Thank you all, I called and they said exactly what you said that they are processing for other programs since SSI was out.

I got a letter today about applying for Medicade application even though denied SSI. But I know you need less money for this also. Yes, I can pay my maint on my condo and pay off bills and get it under 2 grand but then I won't make it till SS comes in normally so all is lost here in the end anyway it looks likes.

I am going to the page you suggested because I really am in the dark here, but it appears if you have money you get nothing and if you don't you lose what you have because you have no income. Life is so exciting living on the edge.
I appreciate the advice about the attorney, I think your right, no, I know your right about geting them later when it is necessary. They seem to be doing a pretty good job of finding out a-z.
Kaylbe you said I would have to recieve benifits for 12 months so why are they sending me the Medicade application?
I know I sound ignorant, I am going to go read the web page you suggested and again I thank you all and will look for a good box!!!!!! Lol Thank you all you have been very helpful. :wave: