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Supplemental Security Income
Who Should Read This Document?
You should, if you want to learn more about the Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) program. This Document explains what SSI is, who can get it, and how to sign up for SSI.
Please Note: This document provides a general overview of the SSI program. The information it contains is not meant to cover all parts of the law.
For specific information about your case, contact Social Security.
Part 1—All About SSI
What Is SSI?
font class=black face="Arial,Helvetica,Sans-Serif" size="5" color="#36210B">
Who Can Get SSI?
How Much Can You Get?
Other Help You Can Get
Part 2—Rules For Getting SSI
Your Income And The Things You Own
Other Rules You Must Meet
If You Live In A Public Or Private Institution
Part 3—Signing Up For SSI
How To Apply
What To Bring
A Word About Social Security Benefits
Your Personal Information Is Safe With Social Security
If You Have Questions
Other Booklets Available
Part 1—All About SSI
What Is SSI?
SSI is short for Supplemental Security Income. It pays monthly checks to
people who are 65 or older, or blind, or have a disability and who don't
own much or have a lot of income.
SSI isn't just for adults. Monthly checks can go to disabled and blind
children, too.
People who get SSI usually get food stamps and Medicaid, too. Medicaid
helps pay doctor and hospital bills.
Who Can Get SSI?
To get SSI, you must be 65 or older or blind or disabled.
Blind means you are either totally blind or have very poor eyesight. Children
as well as adults can get benefits because of blindness.
Disabled means you have a physical or mental problem that keeps you from
working and is expected to last at least a year or to result in death.
Children as well as adults can get benefits because of disability. When
deciding if a child is disabled, Social Security looks at how his or her
disability affects everyday life. For more information about benefits for
children, contact any Social Security office to ask for the booklet, Benefits
For Children With Disabilities (Publication No. 05-10026).
Sometimes, a person whose sight is not poor enough to qualify for benefits
as a blind person may be able to get checks as a disabled person if his
or her condition prevents him or her from working.
How Much Can You Get?
It depends on where you live. The basic SSI check is the same nationwide.
However, many states add money to the basic check. You can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213
to find out the amounts for your state.
Other Help You Can Get
If you get SSI, you also may be able to get other help from your state
or county. For example, you may be able to get Medicaid, food stamps, or
some other social services. For information about all the services available
in your community, call your local social services department or public
welfare office.
Food Stamps
People who get SSI usually can get food stamps, too.
If everyone in your house is signing up for SSI or getting SSI, the Social
Security office will help you fill out the food stamp application.
If you don't live in a house where everyone is signing up for SSI or getting
SSI, you'll have to sign up for food stamps at the local food stamp office.
For more information about food stamps, contact any Social Security office
to ask for the booklet, Food Stamps And Other Nutrition Programs (Publication
No. 05-10100).
Medicaid
Usually, when you get SSI you can also get Medicaid. Medicaid helps pay
your doctor and hospital bills. You can get more information about Medicaid
at your local welfare or medical assistance office.
Help For Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries
If you get Medicare and have low income and few resources, your state may pay your Medicare premiums and, in some cases, other Medicare expenses such as deductibles and coinsurance. Only your state can decide if you qualify. To find out if you do, contact your state or local welfare office or Medicaid agency. For more general information about the program, contact Social Security and ask for a copy of the leaflet, Medicare Savings For Qualified Beneficiaries (HCFA Publication No. 02184).
Part 2—Rules For Getting SSI
Your Income And The Things You Own
Whether you can get SSI also depends on what you own and how much income
you have. Income is the money you have coming in such as wages, Social
Security checks, and pensions. Income also includes non-cash items you
receive such as food, clothing, or shelter.
If you're married, we also look at the income of your spouse and the things
he or she owns. If you're under 18, we may look at the income of your parents
and the things they own. And, if you're a sponsored alien, we may also
look at the income of your sponsor and what he or she owns.
Income
The amount of income you can have each month and still get SSI depends
partly on where you live. You can call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to find out
the income limits in your state.
Social Security doesn't count all of your income when we decide if you
can get SSI. For example, we don't count:
-
The first $20 of most income received in a month;
-
The first $65 a month you earn from working and half the amount over $65;
-
Food stamps;
-
Most food, clothing, or shelter you get from private nonprofit organizations;
or
-
Most home energy assistance.
If you are a student, some of your wages or scholarships you receive may
not count.
If you are disabled but work, Social Security does not count any wages
you use to pay for items or services you need to work because of your disability.
For example, if you need a wheelchair, the wages you use to pay for the
wheelchair don't count as income.
Also, Social Security does not count any wages a blind person uses to pay
expenses that are caused by working. For example, if a blind person uses
wages to pay for transportation to and from work, the transportation cost
isn't counted as income.
If you're disabled or blind, some of the income you use (or save) for training
or to buy things you need to work or earn more money may not count.
The Things You Own
The things you own that we consider include items such as real estate,
personal belongings, bank accounts, cash, and stocks and bonds.
A person may be able to get SSI with items worth up to $2,000. A couple
may be able to get SSI with items worth up to $3,000. If you own property
or another resource that you are trying to sell, you may be able to get
SSI while trying to sell it.
Social Security doesn't count everything you own. For example:
-
The home you live in and the land it's on do not count.
-
Your personal and household goods and life insurance policies may not count,
depending on their value.
-
Your car usually does not count.
-
Burial plots for you and members of your immediate
family do not count.
-
Up to $1,500 in burial funds for you and up to $1,500 in burial funds for
your spouse may not count.
-
If you are blind or have a disability, some items may not count if you
plan to use them to work or earn extra income.
A Special Note For People Who Are Blind Or Have A Disability
If you work, there are special rules to help you. You may be able to keep
getting some money from SSI while you work. But as you earn more money,
your SSI checks may go down or stop. Even if your SSI checks stop, you
may be able to keep your Medicaid coverage.
You also may be able to set aside some of your money for a work goal or
to go to school. The people at Social Security can tell you how to do this.
The money you set aside doesn't count toward the SSI limits on income and
the things you own. That means it won't reduce the amount of your SSI check.
Blind or disabled people who apply for SSI may get special services from
their state. These services include counseling, job training, and help
in finding work.
For more information about these rules, contact Social Security to ask
for the booklet, Working While Disabled ... How We Can Help (Publication
No. 05-10095).
Other Rules You Must Meet
Before you can get SSI, you also must meet other rules.
-
You must live in the U.S. or Northern Mariana Islands.
-
You must be a U.S. citizen or national. (Some noncitizens can qualify for
SSI. Ask for the factsheet SSI for Noncitizens, Publication No. 05-11051,
for information about who can qualify.)
-
If you're eligible for Social Security or other benefits, you must apply
for them. (You can get SSI and Social Security checks if you're eligible
for both.)
-
If you're disabled, you must accept vocational rehabilitation services
if they're offered.
If You Live In A Public Or Private Institution
People who live in city or county rest homes, halfway houses, or other
public institutions usually cannot get SSI checks. But there are some exceptions.
If you live in a publicly operated community residence which serves no
more than 16 people, you may get SSI.
If you live in a public institution mainly to attend approved educational
or job training that will help you get a job, you may get SSI.
If you're living in a public emergency shelter for the homeless, you may
be able to get SSI checks.
If you're in a public or private institution and Medicaid is paying more
than half the cost of your care, you may get a small SSI check.
Part 3—Signing Up For SSI
How To Apply
Just visit your local Social Security office. Or call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213
for an appointment with a Social Security representative who will help
you apply.
Parents or guardians can apply for blind or disabled children under 18.
What To Bring
You should have the following things before you apply. Even if you don't
have all of the things listed, sign up anyway. The people in the Social
Security office can help you get whatever is needed.
-
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, car registration, burial
fund records, and other information about your income and the things you
own;
-
If you're signing up for disability, the names, addresses, and telephone
numbers of doctors, hospitals, and clinics that have seen you;
-
Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status.
You should also bring your checkbook or other papers that show your bank
account number so we can have your benefits deposited directly into your
account. Direct deposit protects benefits from loss, theft, or mail delay.
The money is always on time and ready to use without making a trip to the
bank. Since August 1, 1996, only people who certify they don't have a bank
account receive checks. By 1999, all beneficiaries must have their monthly
benefits deposited in their bank account.
A Word About Social Security Benefits
We also pay Social Security benefits to people who have worked long enough
under Social Security. Often, people can get both Social Security and SSI
benefits.
Social Security pays retirement benefits, disability benefits, and survivors
benefits. Retirement benefits go mostly to people 62 or older and their
families. Disability benefits go to people with disabilities and their
families. Survivors benefits are paid to the families of workers who have
died.
Some Social Security and SSI rules are the same. For example, the rules
we use to decide if you're disabled are the same for Social Security and
SSI. You must be unable to do any kind of work to be considered disabled
under both programs.
Other Social Security and SSI rules are different. For example, after we
decide a person who has filed for Social Security disability benefits is
disabled, we do not pay benefits for five months from the date we say the
disability began. We pay SSI disability benefits for the first full month
after the date a person filed his or her claim, or, if later, the date on which he or she becomes eligible for SSI. There also are different rules for people with disabilities who want to go back to work.
Your Personal Information Is Safe With Social Security
Social Security keeps personal information on millions of people. That
informationññsuch as your Social Security number, earnings record, age,
and addressññis personal and confidential. Generally, we will discuss this
information only with you. We need your permission if you want someone
else to help with your Social Security business.
If you ask a friend or family member to call Social Security, you need
to be with them when they call so we will know that you want them to help.
The Social Security representative will ask your permission to discuss
your Social Security business with that person.
If you send a friend or family member to a SSA local office to conduct your
Social Security business, send your written consent with them. Only with
your written permission can SSA discuss your personal information with
them and provide the answers to your questions.
In the case of a minor child, the natural parent or legal guardian can
act on the child's behalf in taking care of the child's Social Security
business.
We urge you to be careful with your Social Security number and to protect
its confidentiality whenever possible. Although we can't prevent others
from asking for your Social Security number, you should know that your
Social Security records are kept private.
There are times when the law requires Social Security to give information
to other government agencies to conduct other government health or welfare
programsññsuch as Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Medicaid, and
food stamps. Programs receiving information from Social Security are prohibited
from sharing that information.
If You Have Questions
For more information, visit or write any Social Security office. Or phone
SSA's toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. If you think you might be able
to get SSI, don't delay. Call today. SSA's toll-free telephone service
is available 24 hours a day. You can speak to a service representative
between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days. Whenever you call,
have your Social Security number handy.
Recorded information and services are available 24 hours a day, including
weekends and holidays.
People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call SSA's toll-free ìTTYî number,
1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days.
The Social Security Administration treats all calls confidentiallyññwhether
they're made to SSA's toll-free numbers or to one of SSA's local offices.
We also want to ensure that you receive accurate and courteous service.
That's why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some
incoming and outgoing telephone calls.
Other Booklets Available
Social Security has many publications that contain information about other
Social Security programs. Contact Social Security to get a free copy of
any of these publications. They include:
-
Social Security—Understanding The Benefits (Publication No. 05-10024)—A
comprehensive explanation of all the Social Security programs.
-
Social Security—Retirement Benefits (Publication No. 05-10035)ññExplains
Social Security retirement benefits.
-
Social Security—Disability Benefits (Publication No. 05-10029)—Explains
Social Security disability benefits.
-
Medicare (Publication No. 10043)—Explains Medicare hospital insurance and
medical insurance.
-
Social Security—Survivors Benefits (Publication No. 05-10084)—Explains
Social Security survivors benefits.
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