Arizona SSI Lawyer. Supplemental Security Income claims and appeals.

SSI and SSDI are different programs

Both use the same medical definition of disability. Everything else differs.

Some people qualify for both at once. This is called a concurrent claim. More detail: SSDI vs SSI.

Who qualifies for SSI in Arizona

You must meet all three tests.

Medical. You are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. For adults, disabled means a condition that prevents substantial work for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death. Children are judged under a separate standard based on how the condition limits their functioning.

Resources. Countable resources cannot exceed $2,000 for one person or $3,000 for a couple. The home you live in and one vehicle generally do not count. Bank accounts, cash, and a second vehicle generally do.

Income. Social Security counts wages, other benefits, and some help you receive from others. It disregards part of what you earn. The more countable income you have, the lower your SSI payment.

Citizenship and residency rules also apply.

How much SSI pays

The maximum federal SSI payment is:

Your payment is the maximum minus your countable income. Arizona does not add a state supplement to the federal payment.

Three things commonly reduce an SSI check:

• Free or reduced rent. If someone else pays for your shelter, Social Security can reduce your payment by up to one-third.
• A spouse’s or parent’s income. Part of a spouse’s income counts against an adult. Part of a parent’s income counts against a child under 18.
• Other benefits. SSDI, unemployment, and pensions count as income.

SSI and AHCCCS

People who receive SSI in Arizona may qualify for AHCCCS, the state’s Medicaid program. Ask AHCCCS how to enroll. For many claimants the health coverage matters as much as the monthly payment.

SSI back pay

SSI can be paid from the month after you apply. Unlike SSDI, it cannot reach back before the application date. File as soon as you believe you qualify. Larger past-due amounts are usually paid in installments.

Why SSI claims are denied

Medical denials look the same as SSDI denials: thin records, no doctor’s opinion on work limits, or a finding that you can do other work. SSI also has non-medical denials:

• Resources over the limit, often a bank balance or a second vehicle.
• Household income counted against you.
• Missed appointments or unanswered Social Security requests.

We review the denial notice to see which kind you received. The appeal steps and deadlines are in our guide to the appeals process.

SSI for children and young adults

A child under 18 can qualify for SSI if the condition causes marked and severe functional limitations and the household meets the financial limits. At 18, Social Security reviews the case under adult rules. We represent children in SSI claims. We do not handle age-18 redeterminations or cessation cases.

What we do in an SSI case

• File the appeal within the 60-day deadline.
• Gather medical, school, and treatment records.
• Ask treating providers for written opinions on functional limits.
• Identify income and resource issues before they stop payment.
• Represent you at the hearing before the administrative law judge.

You work with attorney Joseph J. Duerst, admitted in Arizona (State Bar No. 029907) and a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives.

What it costs

We charge no fee unless you are awarded benefits. Federal law sets the fee at 25 percent of past-due benefits, up to a cap of $9,200, and Social Security must approve it. You may be responsible for case costs such as medical record fees. We explain those before you sign.

Arizona SSI questions

Can I get SSI if I never worked?

Yes. SSI has no work requirement.

Can I own a home and get SSI?

Generally yes, if you live in it.

Can I own a car?

One vehicle is generally excluded.

Will SSI affect my AHCCCS or nutrition assistance?

SSI recipients may qualify for AHCCCS. Other programs have their own rules. Ask the agency that runs the program.

I was denied because of my income or resources. Can you help?

Sometimes. Tell us what the notice says and we will tell you whether an appeal makes sense.

J Disability Law Firm, PLLC · Joseph J. Duerst, Attorney · 18444 N. 25th Ave, Suite 420, Phoenix, AZ 85023 · (602) 607-0000. This page is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. Past results do not predict the outcome of your case. Dollar figures are federal amounts published by the Social Security Administration for 2026 and 2027.