Supplemental Security Income Attorneys in Tallahassee, FL
Ensure the Financial Assistance You Need
In Social Security disability law, there are strict rules to help determine which individuals qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and which qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
SSDI benefits are designed to provide assistance to adults who are:
- Disabled or unable to work for over a year
- Have not reached retirement age and have paid into Social Security through taxes
- As well as the family members of disabled individuals
SSI benefits, on the other hand, exist to provide assistance to individuals with minor to no income, who may have not paid enough in taxes to qualify for SSDI benefits.
Determining benefits eligibility can be extremely difficult. For experienced legal assistance in pursuing Supplemental Security Income claims, contact our Tallahassee SSD attorneys at Anderson & Hart, P.A.
To schedule a free consultation with our supplemental security income lawyers, call today at (850) 203-3041 or contact us online!
What are the Requirements to Qualify for SSI & SSDI?
SSDI
Individuals may qualify for varying amounts of SSDI or SSI benefits depending on their circumstances. SSDI benefits are based on “work credits,” which are determined per the amount of income the applicant earned in a year prior to becoming disabled.
SSI
SSI benefits, meanwhile, take into account the applicant’s overall income level. That is to say that an applicant must have an income below the federal benefit rate, or FBR, to qualify for SSI.
As of 2019, the FBR is $771 per month for individuals and $1,157 for couples. To qualify for SSI, individuals must also have less than $2,000 in assets and couples must have less than $3,000 in assets. Despite these fixed amounts, it can still be difficult to determine whether you qualify for SSI.
Only a percentage of earned income is used to calculate SSI eligibility. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not count the first $65 in an individual’s paycheck per month, as well as half of earnings over $65 per month. They also do not count the first $20 in total income.
The following are are also usually not considered countable income when applying for SSI:
- Food stamps
- Tax refunds
- Public benefits
- And loans
However, there are other sources that may be counted as part of total monthly income and affect SSI benefits.
Countable income sources in SSI applications may include:
- Unemployment benefits
- Gifts from friends
- Free food
- Free housing
- Other free services
In certain cases, the SSA may take the income of other individuals living with the SSI applicant into account when calculating their income. For instance, if an applicant’s spouse does not receive SSI, a portion of their spouse’s income will be considered a part of their countable income.
This is why it is important to know the difference between the is $771 FBR for individuals and the $1,157 FBR for couples. In cases where a disabled child applies for SSI, the SSA will count a percentage of their parents’ income as the child’s own income, while also subtracting allowances for other children and family members.
For SSDI attorneys that will always be there for you, call (850) 203-3041 now, or contact us online!
Why Choose Anderson & Hart, P.A.
Your Success is Our Priority
At Anderson & Hart, P.A., we understand that contacting an attorney can be a difficult decision. We pride ourselves on giving our clients the personal attention they deserve. Should we take on your case, you will personally meet and speak with the attorney handling your claim throughout the legal process. At Anderson & Hart, P.A., we strive to provide the highest quality of legal services available so that you may achieve the justice you deserve. We are one of the few firms that handles both workers’ compensation cases and civil tort claims. Because justice matters to us, we will fight to ensure that you obtain all the damages or benefits you are entitled to receive.
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Personally Meet and Speak
with Your Attorney -
Board Certified Workers’
Compensation Attorney -
Millions of Dollars
Recovered for Our Clients -
We Have Represented
Thousands of Clients -
Over 45 Years of
Combined Experience -
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Consultations
Client Testimonials
At Anderson & Hart, P.A., your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"Anderson & Hart law firm is first and foremost for the client."Anderson & Hart law firm is first and foremost for the client. The staff is professional, respectful, and empathetic to the clients’ needs. The attorneys are most competent and simply the best at their craft. My personal experience with the firm could not have been better.- Traci
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"Mr. Anderson was a blessing."Mr. Anderson was on top of everything. I would go back to them for everything.- S. Locke
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"Everything was excellent"Everything was excellent and done in a timely manner. I would most certainly return for legal help.- J. Bradley
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"Communication was excellent."I always knew what was going on with my case and how things were being handled. Very professional, answered any and all questions. I always felt like Mr. Anderson had my family's best interest at heart.- M. Rygula
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"You have shown me that you honestly care about us military veterans."
Ms. Hart,
Thank you for taking my case. I am a disabled veteran and you have shown me that you honestly care about us military veterans getting our cases won! Thank you and your staff!- Allen Hill -
"Thank you for everything done & all the support given!"Thank you, Paul, Charlotte, and Lily, for the time and care you have put into my case. I made the right decision when I called Anderson & Hart. Sometimes things can get difficult when you are trying to handle them yourself. It was a piece of mind when you came into help. I will always be grateful for your kindness.- Becky
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"You and your assistance gave me that hope when all seemed lost."Paul, in so many ways you did help me. During my time of illness I had no one to turn to. . . . Paul sometime just hearing a word of hope gives a person strength and you and your assistance gave me that hope when all seemed lost. I sincerely thank you and I bid you Godspeed in your future endeavors.- G. Hudson
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"I would definitely recommend Anderson and Hart law firm."I would definitely recommend Anderson and Hart law firm. Karla Hart is a great attorney, very experienced and honest with her clients. She and her staff has helped me tremendously throughout my journey. Again thank you Karla Hart.- Pamela W.