Securing Immediate SSI Payments

Experienced Tampa Social Security Lawyer

If you’ve submitted an application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, it’s also likely that you are in difficult financial circumstances — perhaps even a situation demanding immediate assistance.

Fortunately, there are a number of different ways through which claimants can receive benefits early (in some cases before they are even formally approved for benefits).  For now, let’s briefly explore some of the more common pathways to immediate SSI payment.

Presumptive Disability Can Lead to Early Benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will pay out up to six months of disability benefits before you are even formally approved for benefits, so long as you can show that you are presumptively disabled.  Presumptive disability is accorded to claimants who are suffering from a particular set of conditions.  These conditions include, but are not limited to:

• Blindness
• Deafness
• Leg amputation
• Bed confinement and immobility
• Stroke
• Cerebral palsy
• Muscular dystrophy
• Down syndrome
• ALS
• And more

Importantly, the SSA does not require any repayment for benefits paid out due to a presumptive disability, even if it turns out that you are not actually “disabled” for the purposes of SSI eligibility.  As such, if you have a need for early benefits, it’s worth pushing for early benefits through the presumptive disability option.

Emergency Advance Payments

In some cases, the SSA can make emergency advance payments to new applicants who are faced with a financial emergency.  These claimants must be able to show that they are qualified to receive SSI benefits — in other words, that they are due an upcoming benefits payment pursuant to the SSI program.  If so, the SSA can make an advance payment to provide assistance.

An emergency in this context is essentially a monetary need due to a lack of food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.  For example, if you cannot afford to pay rent and will be evicted as a result, then the SSA may be able to advance next month’s payment.

Worth noting is that the payment is not “free additional money.”  The SSA will deduct the advance payment from future benefits payments (for a period of up to six months, in piecemeal).

Contact the Law Offices of Mike Murburg, P.A. for Help

Attorney Mike Murburg has decades of experience advocating on behalf of various Social Security claimants, including those who qualify for SSI benefits under the SSA.  He has worked tirelessly to ensure that his client’s claims are presented in as favorable a light as possible, and that — if any issues arise — their rights are secured, whether through the internal appeals process or trial litigation.

Here at the Law Offices of Mike Murburg, P.A., we are well aware of the financial pressures facing SSI claimants, and are committed to helping them obtain the benefits they need.  In many cases, these benefits may be required early (so as to pay rent, medical bills, etc.).  We urge you to get in touch with a Tampa Social Security lawyer at our firm for professional guidance.

Call us at 813-264-5363 or complete an online intake form through our website to schedule a free and confidential consultation.