What is a Redetermination Review?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is only available for people with a severe financial need. This means that if your income or assets change, you may no longer be eligible for SSI benefits. A redetermination review is a yearly evaluation of all your assets or income to determine if you are still needy enough for SSI benefits.
How Can I Prepare for my Redetermination Review?
If you receive a letter in the mail saying you will have a redetermination review coming up, you should gather any saved tax stubs or receipts. You should also save any records of financial changes, such as retirement benefits, workers' compensation, child support, or other forms of financial aid.
You can submit your reconsideration either via mail, over the phone, or by scheduling an appointment at your closest SSA office. So long as you are not earning income or married to a spouse that earns income, you should be able to keep your SSI benefits. Any failure to respond to a request for redetermination could result in an overpayment, or even termination of your benefits.
Getting Legal Help
If you have not yet applied for SSI benefits, you should seek the help of a Social Security advocate or attorney. He or she can evaluate your household's income and determine if you might be eligible for SSI benefits. Attorneys are paid on a contingency basis, which means that they will not receive anything unless you win your SSI claim.
