What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
The SSI program provides monthly income to people who are age 65 or older, or are blind or disabled, and have limited income and financial resources. Effective January 2004 the SSI payment for an eligible individual is $564 per month and $846 per month for an eligible couple. If you are married, and only one person is eligible, a portion of your spouse’s income may be counted. In addition, your financial resources (savings and assets you own) cannot exceed $2,000 ($3,000 if married). You can be eligible for SSI even if you have never worked in employment covered under Social Security. Generally, to be eligible for SSI, an individual also must be a resident of theUnited Statesand must be a citizen or a no citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Also, some no citizens granted a special status by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may be eligible.
The SSI program provides monthly income to eligible individuals who are age 65 or older, or are blind or disabled, and have limited income and financial resources. The SSI payment for an eligible individual is approximately $600 per month and $900 per month for an eligible couple. However, the rates change yearly. Current information about the SSI individual and couple’s rates is available at www.ssa.gov. If you are married, and only one person is eligible, a portion of your spouse’s income may be counted. In addition, your financial resources (savings and assets you own) cannot exceed $2,000 ($3,000 if married). You can be eligible for SSI even if you have never worked in employment covered under Social Security. Generally, to be eligible for SSI, an individual also must be a resident of the United States and must be a citizen or a noncitizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Also, some noncitizens granted a special status by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may be e
Supplemental Security Income is a program administered by the Social Security Administration and financed by general funds from the U.S. Treasury. Qualified individuals must be disabled, blind, or at least 65 years old and have limited income and resources. SSI is not based on prior work or a family member’s prior work like Social Security Benefits.
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is an SSA program similar to SSDI, but it provides cash benefits to assist people who have very limited income, elderly, blind, and/or disabled and have limited means. To be eligible for SSI benefits, an individual must: • Have a severe disability that is caused by disease or injury severe enough to prevent them from working at any job. • Have a severe disability that is expected to result in death or has lasted, or is expected to last, for a continuous period of at least 12 months. • Have limited income and assets low enough to meet certain thresholds. Unlike SSDI, an individual does not need a work history to qualify, but must have very little or no income and resources. For more information on SSI, visit: www.ssa.gov/ssi Note: While SSDI and SSI provide different benefits, SSA uses the same disability determination process for both. You can even qualify for both at the same time.
I DESCRIBE SSI AS THE “POOR MAN’S DISABILITY.” A PERSON DOES NOT HAVE TO EVER WORK TO GET SSI BENEFITS. THE QUALIFICATIONS ARE THAT A PERSON IS DISABLED AND VIRTUALLY WITHOUT ASSETS. IN OTHER WORDS, THE PERSON HAS TO MEET FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS, AS WELL AS PROVE THAT HE IS UNABLE TO PERFORM SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY. BOTH PRE-REQUISITES MUST BE MET OR THE PERSON DOES NOT QUALIFY. THE PERSON COULD ACTUALLY RECEIVE NO BENEFITS IF HE HAS TOO MANY ASSETS, IS MARRIED TO SOMEONE WHO IS EMPLOYED OR DOESN’T MEET THE MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS. ALL SSI RECIPIENTS START OUT RECEIVING THE SAME CASH BENEFIT, BUT IT CAN BE REDUCED BY HAVING ASSETS COUNTED AGAINST HIM.
Related Questions
- If I’m compensated for participating in a clinical trial, will that affect my eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid?
- What Is the Difference Between Social Security Disability Insurance & Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
- What are Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
