Texans who are seeking or receiving Supplemental Security Income will either meet or have previously met the basic criteria of being blind, disabled, 65 and older and have limited income and resources. When these individuals are informed that the application was denied or that the benefits they are receiving will stop, it can be a worrisome time. Many will not know what to do to get the benefits or to restart them. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration provides the opportunity to have a disability hearing. Understanding when this can be done and what issues will be considered is an important factor in a case.
The person can receive a disability hearing if he or she was getting benefits or applied for benefits and there was an initial or revised determination that the person is not blind or disabled. This can happen if the SSA decides that the issue: has ceased; never existed; or is not disabling any longer. The person must make a request for reconsideration in a timely manner.
The scope of the hearing will cover the initial determination or the revised determination. The medical factors of the case will be paramount and they will be assessed as to whether the person is suffering from blindness or a disability. There are reconsideration procedures that must be followed if there are other issues raised by the applicant. The person will receive notice as to where and when the hearing will take place. This is generally sent a minimum of 20 days prior to the hearing.
The person might need to travel to get to the hearing and it is possible to be reimbursed for the cost. If the person cannot travel or attend, the time and place can be changed if there is good cause for doing so. For a person who is suffering from combined issues, there can be a new application even if the reconsideration request is pending.
SSI benefits can be a crucial part of a person’s life if they are disabled, blind and meet the other requirements to receive them. Being informed that a claim was denied or the benefits will stop can be a problem in myriad ways. Luckily, many claims are approved or restarted even after a denial or discontinuing of SSI-related benefits. A law firm that helps people with the Supplemental Security Income cases should be contacted for guidance in how to proceed.