How do Unemployment extensions work?

Applying for SSI and Unemployment...advice?

• After being laid off from an office job in January 2008, I had been collecting UI, (while looking for new work) and my last benefits with all these extensions ran out last week. I don't know if or when I'll receive more, depending on what happens with voting in the Senate. At the same time, I have I mild neurological disability, mostly affecting my gait and coordination (started the day I was born, will last my whole life), but still allowing me to drive and such (I also have a daughter, and care for her pretty well). However, my disability does impair my activities of daily living, and limits my job choices, as I can not lift, stand for very long, go up steep hills or stairs without a railing, have fine motor difficulty etc. So basically, I could and would gladly accept a "sit down" desk job, but these are really the only type of jobs that I am able to do (I turned down an interview yesterday for a counselor, because you had to be able to physically restrain clients, which is out for me, but I do have a BS in Human Services, so I had the educational qualifications). Anyway, my true question is, a friend told me I should go and apply for Supplemental Social Security (I could still work and make up to $980...even my Unemployment is less) but if the Extension passes, then I'm eligible to collect UI again, and these benefits sort of contradict one another (UI you look for work, and SSI you can't). Does anyone have advice/professional experience with this? Thank you!

• Answer:

  In order to qualify for SSI,you have to prove that your disability prevents you from working at any type of job. Since you have a degree and have already proven that your disability doesn't prevent you from holding down a job,your chances of being approved are slim. Disability claims on average take 2 years until they are approved. SSI is based on household income. If you have an income from working of $980.00,you won't qualify for SSI. If you are referring to disability from SS,that is totally different. With disability from SS,you would have had to work and pay into the system for 10 years to qualify. With those benefits you are allowed to make up to $980.00 before your benefits are cut.