Understanding Supplemental Security Income
How Someone Can Help You With Your SSI
2008 Edition

  YOU  MAY  CHOOSE  SOMEBODY  WHO  CAN  HELP  YOU  WITH:  

	completing forms;
	going with you to your local Social Security office;
	interpreting for you;
	gathering and giving information;
	taking you to medical examinations, tests, or to your local Social Security office; or
	receiving mail for you at his or her address.

  IF  YOU  WANT  MORE  HELP,  YOU  MAY  APPOINT  A  
  REPRESENTATIVE  WHO  CAN  DO  ALL  OF  THE  
  ABOVE  PLUS:  

	review your file at your local Social Security office;
	get information from us about your claim, including notices and letters, just as you would;
	represent you at informal or formal hearings;
	give us evidence for you; or
	help you with appeals. (See our chapter on the APPEALS PROCESS.)

  HOW  DO  YOU  APPOINT  A  REPRESENTATIVE?  

	You must sign a statement naming your representative. We have an "Appointment of Representative" form that you can use. You can obtain it online at: www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ssa-1696.pdf or call us and ask for Form SSA-1696.
	Your representative does not have to be a lawyer.
	A representative's duties are different from those of a representative payee.

See our chapter on the REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE PROGRAM for information about the duties of a representative payee.

  IF  YOU  DO  NOT  SPEAK  ENGLISH  OR  HAVE  DIFFICULTY  
  SPEAKING  ENGLISH  

	We will provide an interpreter, at no cost to you, if you ask for one or if you need language assistance.
	You may use a bilingual family member, friend, or other third party to interpret for you.

For more information, see the SSI Spotlight on Interpreter Services.

We will not use minor children age 18 as interpreters when dealing with difficult issues, unless they are qualified and you request that we do so.

  IF  YOU  ARE  DEAF  OR  HARD  OF  HEARING  

	You may provide your own sign language interpreter, at no cost to us.
	If you prefer, we will provide you with a sign language interpreter, if needed, at no cost to you.

  IF  YOU  WOULD  LIKE  A  LAWYER  BUT  CAN'T  AFFORD  ONE  

We will give you a list of legal aid societies, legal clinics, etc.

  WHAT  WE  WILL  ASK  YOU  ABOUT                

To decide whether you can get SSI benefits, we will ask you about:

	your income;
	the things you own (resources);
	your living arrangements––where you live, with whom, who pays for things, etc.; and
	your citizenship or non–citizen status.

If you are age 65 or over, or a child under age 18, we will ask for proof of your age (unless you already receive Social Security benefits). If you are under age 18 and living with your parents, or if you are married and living with your spouse, we will also ask about their income and resources.

If you are applying because you are disabled or blind, we will complete a disability report. We will ask about your health problems, your treatment history, and how your health problems affect your daily activities.

We will also ask for all of your medical records from medical sources and authorization to obtain those records. You can also bring or mail copies of your medical records to the office prior to or at the time of application.

If you have access to the Internet, you can complete the disability report before you visit the Social Security office. Completing the report before you visit the office can help make your office visit shorter.

	You can complete the Adult Disability and Work History Report online at: www.socialsecurity.gov/adultdisabilityreport.
	If you are filing for a child, you can complete the Child Disability Report online at: www.socialsecurity.gov/childdisabilityreport.
	If you are a professional, representative, or organization assisting adults age 18 or older in applying for disability benefits and are familiar with the Form SSA–3368–BK, Adult Disability and Work History Report–PRO, you may complete it online at: www.socialsecurity.gov/adultdisabilityreportpro.

The disability report is not the application. You must still complete an application for SSI benefits.