If you are a California resident who is disabled and you can’t work you can apply for SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, from the Social Security Administration. SSI is a benefits program for people who have never been able to work because they have been disabled since childhood.
If you are approved for SSI in California, you will automatically receive additional benefits that can help you pay for your essential living costs. You will also receive an additional payment from the state to help cover any expenses that regular SSI doesn’t cover.
Eligibility Criteria for SSI in California
When you apply for SSI in California you must meet both the Social Security Administration’s eligibility requirements for SSI and California’s specific requirements.
Income/Resource Requirements
The Social Security Administration has restrictions and caps on the amount of money that you can earn if you want to qualify for SSI. There are also limits on the assets that you can have.
The SSA has specific exclusions for earned income. The first $65 of monthly earnings is excluded, plus half of the remaining earned income is not counted. Your eligibility for SSI is based on your countable income.
Unearned Income Requirements For SSI In California
Unearned income or assets like pensions, Social Security benefits, and other types of income are considered when the SSA is calculating your SSI payment. If you have assets like pensions or investments that may reduce the amount of SSI benefit money that you receive each month.
Resource Limits For SSI In California
The resource limits set by the Social Security Administration for SSI in California are $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples. This includes all countable resources.
What Are Countable Resources?
Countable resources are all sources of money that aren’t income but can help you pay for your living expenses. The SSA considers these to be countable resources:
- Cash: Savings and checking accounts.
- Investments: Stocks, bonds, and other securities.
- Real Property: Other than the primary residence (such as rental properties).
- Vehicles: Certain vehicles may count, but one vehicle used for transportation may be excluded.
- Personal Property: Valuable items like jewelry or collectibles, unless they fall under certain exclusions.
- Business Assets: If you own a business, the value of business assets may count towards the limit.
Excluded Countable Resources
Not all of your resources will be counted against the amount of SSI that you receive or your eligibility for SSI in California. Excluded resources include:
- Your primary residence.
- One vehicle used for transportation.
- Household goods and personal effects.
- Certain burial plots and burial funds.
Medical Criteria
When you apply for SSI in California you will have to show that you meet the SSA’s medical requirements as well as financial requirements. To qualify for SSI medically you must have a letter of diagnosis showing that you have one of the conditions listed in the SSA’s Blue Book.
The Blue Book is the official listing of all mental and physical health conditions that qualify people to receive disability benefits of any kind. Every listing in the Blue Book has a specific set of requirements that you must meet before your application for SSI in California will be approved.
You can search the Blue Book online on the SSA’s website. Or you can find a copy at any of the Social Security Administration offices in California. When you submit your application for SSI in California you must include medical evidence that shows you meet the Blue Book listing requirements for your condition.
State-Specific Programs
California is one of only a handful of states that has many extra state benefit programs that people can qualify for if they are receiving SSI or SSDI. If you are approved for SSI in California you can also qualify for:
- State Supplementary Payment (SSP): California provides a State Supplementary Payment that increases the total monthly income for SSI recipients beyond the federal benefit.
- Medi-Cal: SSI recipients automatically qualify for Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program.
- CalFresh (Food Stamps): SSI recipients may qualify for CalFresh, California’s food assistance program, which helps people receiving SSI pay for groceries.
- Housing Assistance: Some SSI recipients may be eligible for additional housing assistance programs, including Section 8 housing vouchers.
- Transportation Assistance: Programs may offer discounts on public transportation or other forms of transportation assistance for disabled individuals.
- Utility Assistance: SSI recipients might qualify for utility assistance programs to help with energy costs.
SSI Benefits in California
If you are a California resident who is approved for SSI you can receive the maximum benefit amount that is set by the Federal Social Security Administration, which is currently $943 per month for one person, or $1,415 for a couple that both receive SSI.
The average SSI benefit payment in California is $578.62, but California residents also receive a state-funded supplement to their SSI which makes the total benefit higher. With the additional state supplement the max SSI amount possible for a single person is $1,290. The maximum possible SSI payment in California for a couple is $1,840
Healthcare Coverage
Any California residents who are receiving SSI may also receive Medi-Cal, which is California’s state-sponsored Medicare program.
Applying for SSI in California
When you’re applying for SSI in California you need to pay close attention to all the steps in the application and make sure that you include as much medical evidence with your application as possible.
It helps to go through the Blue Book listing for the condition that you have and review the requirements one by one. Make sure that you have included medical evidence for every requirement.
You can submit your application online on the SSA’s website, over the phone, or in a California Social Security Administration office near you.
Documents Needed for Application
In addition to the completed application and medical records you will also need copies of all these documents to include with your application:
- Proof of identity
- Medical records
- Financial records like your tax returns and bank statements
- Social Security card
Application Timeline
Once you have submitted an application for SSI you can expect to receive a decision on your SSI application in California in about 3-6 months. The exact timing depends on factors like the backlog of applications, how complex your condition is, and whether or not you included all of the documents you were supposed to include.
Appeals Process for Denied SSI Applications in California
If your application for SSI in California is denied, don’t get upset. It’s very common for people to get denied the first time they submit their application. You can appeal the denial.
Steps to Take if Denied
If you receive a denial of your application the denial letter will explain why your application was denied. And there will be a date on the letter. You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to request a reconsideration of your application.
If your reconsideration is also denied, you can ask for a hearing before an administrative law judge. And if the judge denies your application after a hearing you can submit more appeals, going all the way up to a federal lawsuit.
How Long Does the Appeals Process Take?
When you request reconsideration of your application that could take anywhere from three to six months after you submit an amended application. If you have to keep going further up the appeals ladder you can expect to wait anywhere from several months to a year for each appeal.
During the appeals process it’s essential that you pay attention to filing deadlines and amend your application to include as much medical evidence as you can get.
Resources and Support for SSI Applicants in California
- California Department of Social Services (CDSS)
- Legal Aid Societies
- Disability Rights California (DRC)
California State Disability Insurance (SDI) Program
Working with a California SSI Lawyer
If you are applying for SSI in California you should get help from a California SSI lawyer. A California SSI lawyer can advise you at each step of the application process. Working with a California SSI lawyer may increase the chances that your application will be approved.
You can get connected with a California SSI lawyer now for free. Just fill out the free case evaluation below and you’ll be connected with an independent California SSI attorney who subscribes to this website.
