Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
What is the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program?
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a cash assistance program funded and administered by the Federal Government. The program is authorized by Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act. The basic purpose of SSI is to assure a minimum level of income to people who are aged, blind, or disabled and who have limited income and resources. The dollar amount received in SSI on a monthly basis varies from person to person and is computed each month, taking into account an individual’s current financial situation.
What are the eligibility requirements that a person must meet to qualify for SSI benefits?
For an individual to be eligible for SSI they must be disabled, or blind, or aged and have little or no income and resources. A person must fit into one of the following categories: Disabled, Blind (20/200 or less in your better eye with glasses or a filed of vision less than 20 degrees), or Aged (refers to be 65 years of age or older).
Who is considered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to be disabled?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines disability as the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity (work) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months or result in death.
Visit the Social Security website. It is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs. You can also apply for benefits, get the address of your local Social Security office, and get forms to request important documents, such as a Social Security Statement, a replacement Social Security or Medicare card or a letter to confirm your benefit amount.
In addition to using their website, you can call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. They can answer specific questions and provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call their TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
How to apply for SSI
If you are applying for SSI, you can complete a large part of your application by visiting their website at www.socialsecurity.gov, or you can call toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 to ask for an appointment with a Social Security representative. All calls are treated confidentially and they are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Parents or guardians usually can apply for blind or disabled children under age 18. In some cases, other third parties can apply for children. You should bring certain items when you apply. If you do not have all of the things listed below, apply anyway. The staff in the Social Security office can help you get whatever is needed.
You’ll need to bring:
- Your Social Security card or a record of your Social Security number;
- Your birth certificate or other proof of your age;
- Information about the home where you live, such as your mortgage or your lease and landlord’s name;
- Payroll slips, bank books, insurance policies, burial fund records and other information about your income and the things you own;
- The names, addresses and telephone numbers of doctors, hospitals and clinics that you have been to;
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status;
- You should bring your checkbook or other papers that show your bank, credit union or savings and loan account number so that they can have your benefits deposited directly into your account. Direct deposit protects benefits from loss, theft and mail delay. The money is always on time and ready to use without making a trip to the bank.
Where does the SSI program operate?
The SSI program operates in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The program also covers blind or disabled children of military parents stationed abroad and certain students studying outside the U.S. for a period of less than one year.
What are the general eligibility requirements for SSI?
In order to be eligible for SSI benefits, you must fit one of the following three categories:
- Aged – An “aged” person is someone who is age 65 or older;
- Blind – A “blind” person is someone whose vision, with use of a correcting lens, is 20/200 or less in the better eye or who has tunnel vision of 20 degrees or less. There is no minimum age limit;
- Disabled – A “disabled” person age 18 or older is someone who meets the definition of disability for adults in Social Security law. That is, he or she must be unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death, or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
A “disabled” person under the age of 18 is someone who meets the definition of disability for children in Social Security law. That is, he or she must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that results in marked and severe functional limitation(s), and which can be expected to result in death, or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
Does your income amount determine whether you are eligible for SSI?
Yes. In order to receive SSI benefits, you cannot have monthly countable income more than the current Federal benefit rate (FBR). The FBR for an eligible couple is approximately one and one half as much as that for an individual. These amounts are set by law and are subject to annual increases based on cost-of-living adjustments. As of January 2006, the FBR for an individual is $603 and that for an eligible couple is $904. However, individual States may supplement these amounts.
Does the amount of real or personal property you own determine whether you are eligible for SSI?
Yes. In order to receive SSI benefits, you cannot own countable real or personal property (including cash) in excess of a specified amount at the beginning of each month. For an individual with an eligible or ineligible spouse, the applicable limit is one and one-half times as much as that for an individual without a spouse. These limits are set by law, and they are not subject to regular cost-of-living adjustments but they are subject to change. (Note: Resources do not affect payment amount.)
What are other requirements for SSI eligibility?
In addition to the categorical and need criteria described above, you must file an application and meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a resident of one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands, or be a child who is a U.S. citizen and lives outside the U.S. with a parent in the U.S. armed forces;
- Be a citizen of the U.S., or an alien in an immigration category qualified to receive Federal benefits and meet certain additional requirements;
- Not be a resident of a public institution throughout a month;
- Not be absent from the U.S. for a calendar month unless you are a child who is a U.S. citizen and lives outside the U.S. with a parent in the U.S. armed forces; or you are a student who is temporarily abroad for the purpose of conducting studies;
- File for any other benefits for which you are potentially eligible;
- Not be a fugitive felon or in violation of a condition of parole or probation.
When to Apply
Apply as soon as possible so that you do not lose benefits. You will not be paid benefits for time periods earlier than your application effective date. If you call to make an appointment to apply and you file an application within 60 days of that call, they may use the date of your call as your application filing date.
You have the Right to Apply
Anyone may apply for SSI. There is no charge to apply.
You have the Right to receive Help from Social Security
A claims representative will complete the application forms for you based on information that you give. They will also help you get documents you need to show that you meet the SSI eligibility requirements. If you are applying because of disability or blindness and it is determined that the medical information needed to make a decision is not available from existing sources, they will pay for you to have a doctor examine you. If you need a medical exam, you must go to the exam in order to receive SSI benefits. They may also pay your travel costs to get to this exam.
You have the Right to a Representative
You may appoint someone to help you with your SSI claim and go with you to your appointment(s).
You have the Right to a Notice
You will be notified in writing of any determination about your eligibility or any change in your benefit amount. Also, copies of all notices will be sent to your representative if you have one. Each notice affecting your eligibility or change in SSI benefit amount will explain your appeal rights.
You have the Right to Examine your File
You or your representative may examine and get a copy of the information in your case file, upon request, with the exception of files containing confidential or medical information that may not be disclosed. You or your representative also may review and copy the laws, regulations and policy statements used in deciding your case.
You have the Right to Appeal
You may appeal most determinations made about your eligibility for SSI benefits, or changes made in your benefit amount.
For additional information, please review the Social Security Online Handbook.
