URGENT UPDATE: Act Quickly to Get a Stimulus Payment in 2020! New Deadline for Social Security, SSI, and Veterans Benefits Recipients with Children! Starting now, SSI and Social Security recipients who haven’t yet gotten their $500 stimulus payments per dependent child have a new chance to get the payments. They will need to fill out the non-filer…
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the U.S. workforce, leading to record levels of unemployment. While some people will return to work in the coming months, many workers with disabilities may remain out of the workforce indefinitely. Older workers with disabilities were thirty percent more likely to lose their jobs during the Great Recession than the…
Billie Washington was struggling to make ends meet. A former home care attendant, she was no longer able to work due to her rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other illnesses. While waiting for her disability benefits hearing, she began receiving General Assistance. Ms. Washington carefully budgeted the monthly $205.00 to cover her rent, toiletries, medical co-payments, and public transportation to get to doctor’s appointments. When she found out that General Assistance was being eliminated, Ms. Washington felt like she had the rug yanked out from under her. Describing the feeling of desperation, she said, “I was crushed. I just, I didn’t know what I was going to do.”
What is a Social Security/SSI overpayment? An “overpayment” is when the Social Security Administration (SSA) gave you benefits when they shouldn’t have or paid you more than they were supposed to. If SSA thinks they overpaid you, they will want their money back. If you do nothing, SSA will collect the overpayment by taking money…
You have the right to be served in your language when you deal with the Social Security office. They are required to provide free interpretation for people who don’t speak or understand English well. Oral Interpretation: No matter what language you speak, you have the right to an interpreter to help you communicate with people…
When you turn 18, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews your case to see if you still meet the requirements to receive SSI. The rules change when you turn 18, and some people lose their benefits. START PREPARING NOW for review of your SSI case! Here’s how: Keep all of your school records. The Social Security…
What is SSI for children? SSI for children is a cash assistance program for low-income families who are caring for children with physical and/or mental disabilities. How does the Social Security Administration (SSA) decide if my child is disabled? SSA will look at how severe your child’s medical conditions are and how they interfere…
Community Legal Services does not help people apply for Social Security Benefits. You can apply for benefits by: Telephone: You can call 1 (800) 772-1213 (between 7 a.m.-7 p.m.) to schedule an appointment to apply for Social Security Benefits. In person: You can also apply for Social Security Benefits by walking in to your local Social Security…
What is a Dismissal? A “dismissal” is when Social Security turns down your application, after you appealed it, without actually deciding whether you are disabled. This often happens if you did not go to a hearing. If your case is dismissed you must act quickly, within 60 days. What should I do if I get…
Millions of children and adults depend on benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for their basic income. SSA provides many different kinds of benefits, including benefits for senior citizens, as well as children and adults with disabilities. SSA’s main programs are Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability benefits (SSDI), and Social Security Retirement…
