What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
SSI is similar to SSD. SSI benefits are paid to people who are disabled and unable to work in any jobs, but who have not worked recently or who have not worked long enough to receive SSD. If you have too much investment income or assets, or if your spouse works, or you receive worker’s compensation or other benefits, you may not be eligible to receive SSI.
SSI is the other of the two programs that provide benefits based on disability. SSI benefits are payable based on financial need instead of the prior work of the claimant. Children and adults may be eligible to receive SSI benefits based on limited income and resources, living arrangements, and disability.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a welfare based program. Monthly benefits are paid to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children, as well as adults, can get SSI benefits. If a claimant’s household income exceeds $637.00 per month for an individual and $956.00 for a couple, or the value of their resources are above $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple, then they are not eligible for SSI.
SSI is paid whether or not a person has paid in enough Social Security tax to get disability insurance benefits. An individual must be disabled under the same rules as for disability insurance, or be blind, or be over age 65. A client must also have very little income or property, because this benefit is a means-tested benefit which is measured by financial need. Social Security looks at all other income and property in the household, not just your own, and also the value of any support you may get from others to determine whether you are financially eligible for SSI. This is in addition to deciding if you are disabled. Some children 18 or younger with a severe disability may get a monthly benefit if their family income is low enough.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is designed for those individuals who do not meet SSDI’s FICA contribution requirements, or have limited income and resources. SSI is available for disabled children and adults, though SSI is determined differently for both groups. Generally, SSI does not take into account an individual’s work history or earnings record for eligibility purposes. In order to receive SSI a claimant must possess limited income and resources. Even after a claimant begins receiving SSI, Social Security will monitor the claimant’s income to ensure that he or she continually possess limited income and resources.
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)?
