Elsewhere, we discussed Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) and the Law Offices of Ronald J. Resmini, Accident & Injury Lawyers, Ltd.‘s expertise in that matter. Often confused with SSDI is SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, or SSI. While a different program, it is also administered by the Social Security Administration and is available both federally and through the state of Rhode Island.
Social Security
SSI makes payments available to both children and adults who are unable to work due to their physical or mental impairments. However, not any impairment qualifies for eligibility under SSI, and the Social Security Administration is very specific about which impairments do qualify. The list of eligible and ineligible impairments is exhaustive, but with 50 years of legal experience in Providence and around Rhode Island, the attorneys at Resmini Law have the skill to offer their clients guidance on those issues. Note also, that a claimant cannot simply allege the impairment. Instead, the necessary physicians’ documentations are required in all cases.
Your Rights
When applying for SSI, there are several issues of which our clients should be aware as there are both rights and responsibilities associated with SSI. First, SSI applicants have the right to apply for assistance free of charge. If they should need assistance in filling out the forms, all applicants are entitled to have someone help them do so. And, should English not be an applicant’s primary language, he or she is entitled to an interpreter, which the Social Security Administration usually can provide. The applicant also has the right to view his file at any time and can challenge the Social Security Administration’s decision to deny benefits.
Your Responsibilities
Along with those rights come certain responsibilities. Failure to comply with these responsibilities can result in a denial or a cessation of benefits from both the federal government and the state of Rhode Island. The first things are basic: anyone who receives SSI must keep the Social Security Administration informed of their current address and current income. Furthermore, should a recipient be sentenced to jail or enroll in school, the Administration must be kept informed of those developments. Finally, SSI recipients must keep the Social Security Administration informed as to any change in their disability. Most importantly, should the disability change to the point where the recipient is no longer eligible or is only eligible for a smaller payment, the failure to report this change could result in civil and criminal fraud charges, as well as a demand that any excess money be repaid.
Here To Help
The Resmini Law Offices is a well-respected firm of personal injury lawyers in Providence, completely dedicated to helping clients who are injured recover what is due. We are proud to have helped clients in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Florida for 50 years. For more information, call us at (401) 751-8855 or toll free at 1-855-RESMINI. We would be happy to consult with you in our offices in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Florida, free of charge.
