Q: Is Alzheimer’s Considered a Disability for Social Security?

A: Yes, Alzheimer’s disease can be considered a qualifying disability for Social Security benefits. To qualify for SSI, you will have to prove additional need based on your current financial situation and ability to work. Certain adults who struggle to understand and complete SSI paperwork can have someone else help them, and anyone can choose to work with a lawyer.

Q: How to Get a Lawyer for SSI?

A: To get a lawyer for your SSI case, you will need to meet with a lawyer, discuss your case, and hire their services. Our legal team offers consultations so you can be sure that you want to work with us before fully committing to having us as your lawyers. Family and loved ones can also help you find a lawyer.

Q: How Long Does SSI Take With a Lawyer?

A: Even with a lawyer, the SSI process can have an unpredictable length. Some people get a decision in weeks, while others may be waiting months or longer. With that said, working with a lawyer can help reduce mistakes and make it easier for you to get an approval or to respond quickly to denials or requests for more information.

Q: Can You Get SSI if You’ve Never Worked?

A: Yes, since SSI is a needs-based program, you can get it even if you’ve never worked. This is especially helpful for children and for adults with disabilities that prevent them from working. You must still prove that your financial resources do not exceed the allowed limits and that your disability prevents you from supporting yourself through work.

Chico SSI Benefits Lawyer

Practice Areas

Chico Practice Areas

Our Attorneys

Elizabeth L. Gade Phone: (916) 648-8600

Roopen Parekh Phone: (916) 648-8600

Let’s Talk About Your Case.

Please note: We only handle disability claims and do not handle retirement issues

Contact us for a free consultation

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Knowledgeable Chico SSI Benefits Attorney

Applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be challenging. Working with a Chico SSI benefits lawyer can simplify the process, making it easier for you to complete paperwork, gather evidence, and get your claim approved.

Trust Gade & Parekh, LLP

You can work with the team here at Gade & Parekh, LLP, to complete your SSI claim. We can help you whether you’ve already received an initial denial and need someone to represent you at your hearing or you’re struggling with the initial claim-filing process. We’re staunch advocates for the disabled community, leveraging our extensive knowledge of SSI benefits laws and our experience with the system to get our clients the results they need and deserve.

Reasons to Hire an SSI Benefits Lawyer

As of 2024, there were 1,114,706 people in California receiving SSI benefits. That year, the program paid out a total of $10,966,403. A total of one in seven of the eight million Americans who rely on SSI to pay for their basic needs lives in the Golden State, where they receive supplemental payments on top of the maximum federal payment to help make up for the state’s higher cost of living.

If you’re one of the many Chico residents in need of financial help to meet basic needs while living with a disability, you can hire an SSI benefits lawyer to assist you with the claim-filing process. Your lawyer can:

Explain SSDI benefits laws.
Help determine whether you are eligible for SSI.
Assist you with filing your initial claim.
Help you keep track of deadlines.
Appeal a claim denial.
Attend your hearing with you.
Provide you with informed advice.

Working with an SSI lawyer is one of the most effective ways to improve your chances of getting your claim approved.

Who Qualifies for SSI?

To qualify for SSI, you must be disabled and have limited income and resources. In addition to proving your disability, you’ll also have to meet specific asset requirements. If your income and resources are too high to pass the asset test, you could be turned down for benefits even if your medical disorder is severe.

You don’t need a work history to qualify for SSI, which differentiates it from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This program is based exclusively on disability level and financial need.

SSI is for people who earn less than $2,073 from work each month, though the income limit increases for couples and parents applying on behalf of children. The resources you own should not be more than $2,000 for individuals or $3,000 for couples and include things like money in bank accounts and vehicles. For parents of disabled children, these numbers increase by $2,000.

If you’re 64 or younger, you must have a disability that impacts your ability to work for at least a year or is expected to result in death and severely limits your daily activities. If you’re disabled and under 65, you’ll need to earn less than $1,690 per month when you apply. If you’re 65 or older, you don’t need to have a disability to apply for SSI.

Working With SSI Benefits

Whether you work at Tri-Counties Bank or Walmart doesn’t matter. You can work with SSI benefits as long as your countable monthly income doesn’t exceed the program’s limit, which is $1,690 in 2026. If you’re blind, that number increases to $2,830 per month. Because the maximum benefit amount is only $995 per month for eligible individuals, many people work while receiving SSI.

When to Apply for SSI Benefits?

You should apply for SSI benefits as soon as you become disabled or turn 65, as the application process can be lengthy and difficult. Working with a qualified SSI benefits lawyer can help to streamline the process by making sure that no key deadlines are missed and all paperwork is filed correctly.

FAQs

How Can I Get a Lawyer for SSI?

You can get a lawyer for SSI by contacting the team here at Gade & Parekh, LLP. Our law firm focuses exclusively on helping people get access to the disability benefits to which they are entitled. We have over 30 years of experience in successfully assisting clients with the application and appeals processes, so we know the system inside and out. We can help you file your application or appeal a denial.

What Should You Not Say to an SSI Disability Attorney?

There are several things you should not say to your SSI disability attorney. Don’t downplay your symptoms, and don’t lie or hide medical records from them. Withholding records or fabricating information can severely damage your credibility. Don’t tell your attorney that you’re fine when you’re not or imply that you could work if you could find a job, but it’s also important to avoid exaggerating pain.

Can I Get SSI for My Child With ADHD?

You may be able to get SSI for your child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) if it is severe enough. The SSA looks for symptoms that cause severe functional limitations, so you’ll only be able to receive benefits if your child’s ADHD limits their ability to learn, socialize, and play compared to other children of their age.

Are SSI Attorneys Free?

SSI attorneys are not free. They typically work on a contingency basis, which means they take a portion of the back pay if you’re awarded benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) limits the amount of money an SSI attorney can take to 25% of the client’s back pay or $9,200. If you have questions about fee arrangements, you can direct them to a Chico SSI benefits attorney during your initial consultation.

Your Chico SSI Benefits Lawyer

If you’re disabled but don’t have enough work credits to apply for SSDI, SSI might be a good option for you. Working with a Chico SSI benefits lawyer can improve your odds of getting your initial claim approved or appealing a denial successfully.

The team here at Gade & Parekh, LLP, can help. We have over 30 years of experience in assisting clients with every step of the claim-filing process. We can help with your SSI benefits case, too. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.