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No-win, no-fee — you pay nothing unless approved
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal needs-based program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides monthly payments to individuals with limited income and resources who have a qualifying disability. Unlike SSDI, SSI does not require a work history — making it a critical lifeline for individuals who have never worked or who have not earned enough Social Security credits to qualify for SSDI. National Disability connects individuals across all 50 states with experienced SSI attorneys who help build strong claims and fight denials. All services are provided on a no-win, no-fee basis. You pay nothing unless your claim is approved.
To qualify for SSI benefits, you must meet medical, financial, and citizenship requirements set by the SSA.
You must have a medically determinable physical or mental condition that prevents substantial gainful activity and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The condition must be supported by medical evidence including test results, treatment records, and physician statements.
SSI has strict income and asset limits. Countable resources generally cannot exceed $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for couples. Your primary home, one vehicle, and household goods are typically excluded. Income limits vary based on your living situation and other factors.
You must be a U.S. citizen or qualifying non-citizen residing in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. You must also apply in person at a Social Security office or online at SSA.gov.
SSI is designed for individuals with limited income and resources regardless of work history. It covers disabled adults, disabled children, and adults age 65 or older who meet the financial requirements. Benefit amounts are set by the federal government and may be supplemented by your state.
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) requires sufficient work credits earned through Social Security taxes. Benefit amounts are based on your average lifetime earnings. If you have a significant work history, SSDI benefits are typically higher than SSI payments.
Some individuals qualify for both SSI and SSDI simultaneously — known as concurrent benefits. This typically occurs when someone qualifies for SSDI but their benefit amount is low enough to also meet SSI’s financial requirements. Our team can evaluate whether you may qualify for one or both programs.
The SSA evaluates SSI claims using the Blue Book — a listing of qualifying medical conditions. Common qualifying conditions include:
Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, and other mental health conditions that significantly limit your ability to function in a work setting.
Chronic back conditions, joint disorders, spinal stenosis, and other conditions that limit your ability to stand, walk, lift, or perform basic work activities.
Epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological disorders that affect your ability to work.
Heart failure, coronary artery disease, and other conditions that limit your ability to sustain the physical demands of work.
Many forms of cancer qualify — particularly those that are advanced, recurring, or require treatment that prevents sustained work activity.
Intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and other conditions that significantly limit adaptive functioning and work capacity.
If your condition is not listed, you may still qualify. The SSA also evaluates whether your specific limitations prevent you from performing any work — a standard that many individuals with unlisted conditions can meet with the right documentation.
Most SSI denials are fixable. Common reasons include insufficient medical evidence, income or asset reporting issues, failure to follow prescribed treatment, incomplete applications, and the SSA determining you can still perform some form of work. A denial letter will explain the specific reason your claim was rejected — and that reason is the starting point for your appeal.
If your claim has been denied, visit our SSI Denial and Appeals page to learn about your options and the 60-day deadline to file for reconsideration.
National Disability connects individuals with experienced SSI attorneys who handle every stage of the claims and appeals process across all 50 states:
All services are provided on a no-win, no-fee basis. You pay nothing unless your claim is approved.
The federal SSI payment amount is set annually. In 2025, the maximum federal SSI benefit is $967 per month for individuals and $1,450 per month for couples. Some states supplement this amount with additional payments. Your actual benefit may be lower depending on your income, living situation, and other factors.
Yes. Children under 18 can qualify for SSI if they have a medically determinable physical or mental condition that causes marked and severe functional limitations, and the family meets the income and resource requirements. The SSA evaluates childhood disability claims differently than adult claims.
In most states, SSI recipients automatically qualify for Medicaid — which covers medical expenses including doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and more. SSI approval may also open eligibility for other state and federal assistance programs. Our team can help you understand the full picture of benefits you may be entitled to.
You can work while receiving SSI, but your earnings will reduce your benefit amount. The SSA excludes the first $65 of monthly earned income and half of anything above that from the calculation. The SSA also offers work incentive programs — including the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) — that allow some recipients to work toward financial independence without immediately losing benefits.
SSI does not require work credits — it is available regardless of your work history. If you have a qualifying disability and meet the income and resource limits, you may be eligible for SSI even if you have never worked or have insufficient credits for SSDI. Our team can evaluate both programs at no cost.
Initial SSI decisions typically take 3 to 6 months. If denied and you appeal, the process can take considerably longer — particularly if your case reaches the ALJ hearing stage. Starting with complete, well-organized documentation helps reduce unnecessary delays. Having an experienced attorney involved from the start significantly improves both speed and outcome.
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