|  | Healthcare Industry | Health Insurance

Tips on Filling Out an Application for SSI

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program intended to help aged, blind or disabled people with limited or no income. It provides cash payments to help with basic food, clothing and shelter needs. This is a separate program from Social Security Disability in that it is funded by general tax revenues and not Social Security taxes.

  1. Medical Conditions

    • When filling out your SSI application, list all your medical conditions--not just the one that bothers you most. In making its determination, SSI will look at the entirety of the evidence and your health, or lack thereof, as a whole. A medical condition you neglect to mention could be the very one that makes you eligible for assistance. Obtain as much medical evidence as you can to support your contention. This might include hospital records, doctor's reports and test results. The more you include, the better SSI will be able to evaluate your claim with the clearest picture of your disabling condition. The reconsideration process can be lengthy so it is in your best interest to present your best case the first time around.

    Filling Out the Forms

    • One of the most important SSI application tips is to fill out the form completely. If you leave something out, SSI will put your decision on hold while it finds the information. This unnecessarily slows down the process, and that's something you would probably like to avoid. Have an attorney look over your application for completeness and accuracy. An attorney may work on a contingency basis in which he doesn't get paid unless you win.

    Prior Work

    • Don't make the mistake of thinking the SSI form is a resume and you're trying to impress a prospective employer. Be honest about your work history and how you performed. Describe your duties and accomplishments accurately. If the form reviewer gets the idea you're trying to inflate the truth, your case could be damaged.

    Requests

    • Often, SSI will request additional information. It is in your best interest to get it to SSI promptly. Dawdle or ignore it, and SSI might deny your claim on the basis of an incomplete application. And the most important piece of evidence of all is to understand how the process works. Go to the Social Security website and read how the program of applying to SSI operates until you know it cold. Time invested here can greatly relieve frustration down the road when you're trying to figure out what comes next.

Health Insurance - Related Articles