When applying for Supplemental Security Income, New Jersey residents might think that the basic requirements are the only important aspects of a case. However, there are other factors that can impact an application and these go beyond being blind, disabled and 65 or older. One issue is that the Social Security Administration must be granted permission to contact the applicant’s financial institutions. If there is an issue with this or confusion over it, having legal assistance is imperative to avoid the claim being denied.
To get SSI benefits, the SSA must be given permission to get financial records from any financial institution that the applicant has used. The SSA might ask for this permission during the application process or at a subsequent time. If there are resources or income that are available to the applicant, that individual’s information must also be given at the SSA’s request. This can be a deemor or other individual. The following are some of the financial entities who can be contacted under this rule: a bank, a loan company, a credit card company, a consumer finance institution, and more.
When the financial records are requested, these will be original copies or information that pertains to the applicant-financial institution relationship. The financial institution can be asked for any financial information regarding the applicant. The request will be made when the SSA believes it is necessary to determine whether the applicant is eligible for SSI and the amount they will receive. There can be terminating events that rescind the SSA’s right to contact financial institutions. These include the person canceling the permission in writing; the deemor canceling permission in writing; the SSI application being denied; or if the person is no longer eligible for SSI.
An applicant might have good cause for the applicant not getting permission from someone whose resources can be considered in the application. For example, the permission cannot be obtained and that person is harassing the applicant or putting their life in danger; and if the person refuses to give permission and the applicant was acting in good faith to get it.
There are many reasons for denied SSI claims and the failure to give the SSA the right to contact financial institutions is one that can be avoided simply by giving permission or by showing good cause as to why it was not given. A law firm that understands Supplemental Security Income and its requirements should be called to ensure there is not a denial for a reason other than the case’s merits.
