Disability, SSI

Extending a Helping Hand with Social Security

September 28, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: March 17, 2021

two holding hands It’s been said that the true measure of a society is found in how it treats its weakest and most helpless citizens.

We celebrate National Good Neighbor Day on September 28 but we can continue this sentiment all year round by extending a helping hand to our nation’s homeless citizens, who may also live with a disability, by telling them how Social Security can help them through the services we offer.

Social Security can pay monthly benefits to disabled homeless people who have accumulated enough credits from work to qualify. They can apply online at https://www.ssa.gov/disabilityssi/. 

Social Security can also pay benefits through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which is a needs-based program for disabled people who meet the financial guidelines, and who haven’t worked enough to qualify for Social Security disability benefits. They can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi/ssi.html.

At www.socialsecurity.gov/homelessness, there is also a link to local housing assistance and service providers who can help a homeless person file an application for Social Security benefits.

We also recognize that not all homeless people, or those at risk for homelessness, can manage their benefits on their own. That’s why we work to identify them and connect them with a representative payee. A representative payee is a person, agency, or organization that can receive and manage the funds we pay for someone who receives benefits. If you are interested in helping the homeless through the representative payee program, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/payee.

Social Security is an active participant in the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, whose mission is to “coordinate the federal response to homelessness and create a national partnership at every level of government…”

For more information on helping the homeless through Social Security’s programs and services, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/homelessness.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Steven J.

    I AM HAVING DIFFICULTIES WITH MY COMPUTER TO START UP MY BENEFITS THAT WAS APPROVED WITH THE DISABILITY DETERMINATION BRANCH IN HONOLULU, HAWAII. THE PREVIOUS CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT SAID MY RECORDS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING APPROVED IN THE MAINLAND AFTER DETERMINATION OF APPROVING MY SOCIAL SECURITY AMOUNTS OF PAYMENT PER MONTH. I AM APPROACHING 62 YEARS OLD AND ASK TO PERMANENTLY ACCEPT MY ASKING TO RETIRE.
    I HAVE NOT WORKED TOO MUCH THIS 2016-2017 YEAR DUE TO MY ILLNESS. PRESENTLY I WOULD LIKE A DECISION BE MADE AS TO THE MEDICAL DETERMINATION THAT WAS MADE IN FAVOR OF MY SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS BE APPROVED STATUS AND ONGOING.
    SINCERELY,
    MR. STEVEN JAMES ADLAWAN
    1758 LUSITANA
    HON., HI. 96813-1657
    61 AND 7 MOTHS OLD.

    • R.F.

      Hello Steven. Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please continue working with your local office. You can request to speak with the manager to see how we can help to expedite resolution of your situation. If you are unable to visit the local office, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks!

  2. Trevor R.

    Hi my name is Trevor. I am a 38 year old on SSI, but on on my statements where the social security number is at the right hand top my last two letters are d I which stand for disability. I need help finding a place without going through these waitlist is there anything quicker that I could get into possibly for that I am homeless?

    • R.F.

      Hello Trevor, individuals receiving disability benefits may also be eligible to receive social services from the state in which they live. These services include Medicaid, free meals, housekeeping help, transportation or help with other problems. You can get information about services in your area from your state or local social services office. Or you can visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for more information.
      We hope this helps!

  3. Becky

    on social security disability and pay HIGH premiums for health care can I claim them on taxes for refund? I have nothing else to claim, I am told yes because I pay over 40% of my income but no because I have nothing else to claim?

  4. Gail K.

    How do I go about getting these 2 forms?

  5. Gail K.

    My husband has mild dementia and I have had to start taking care of bills and now taxes. We cannot find our
    1099 form for both our SS information for the year
    2017.
    Gordon Henry Kennedy
    Georgia Gail Kennedy

  6. Bryan m.

    Rep Jimmy Gomez Xavier Becerra Kamala Harris thank you for understanding this kids kids and disability health care insurance older and disability health care insurance older and disability health care insurance older and disability health care insurance older and disability health care insurance older and disability health care insurance older and disability health care insurance older and disability health care insurance older and disability health care insurance older and disability health Care system benefits insurance say yes CR bills and budget too 2018 to 2028 years eastern los Angeles regional eastern los Angeles regional center P.O. 7916 Alhambra ca 91802 -7916 telephone 1-626-299-4700- fax 1-626-281-1163 sign Bryanmiranda1028@gmail.com Rep Jimmy Gomez Xavier Becerra Kamala Harris wwe investor stakeholders 2327 Ridgeview ave home care center los Angeles ca.gov 90041 http://www.sba.gov ww.ssa.gov usa.gov wwe.com http://www.dor.ca.gov Congress.gov sign Bryanmiranda1028@gmail.com

  7. Yugank K.

    Get Heavy Discounts on Your Online Shopping

  8. Linda K.

    Why is Social Security change my disability to regular Social Security without my permission. I did not want it change until I turned but they said I had no choice. I want to know why I had no choice?????

  9. margaret k.

    I appricate your interest in the disabled or ssi recepients I am of course one of them but I never thought that I wouldbecome a victim to abuse I rent the land but own the mobil home I have hire many contractors that repaired what I asked only to have it destroyed 7 days later I am not married to these people where I seem to be getting divorced at seven days my home is in dier need of the same repairs and I am afeaid of asking for help because my money is going out and the repaire are no9t done. do you have programs for section 8 or vouchers to move since my polace is being ruiened out of greed sincerely Margaret Ketterer

  10. concerned p.

    how about them taking social security from an autistic individual and telling them that that they are no longer autistic when you don’t just get over Autism it is a life long condition

    • Jennifer A.

      I was also diagnosed slightly autistic was SSI findings in 1998 by their doctors and I went in front of a panel with a judge and was awarded SSI for my mental health. I was beaten and tortured for 14yrs and then raped in the foster care system I have been diagnosed with PTSD and borderline personality disorder and in 2010 my SSI just stopped no warning no letters nothing. When I went out to the office they told me I have to reapply… I have never worked. I have been disabled my whole life. I have serious problems. I have no family. I have been on the streets or in prison ever since then. I have been trying to get help and no one will help me. I apply they deny.i gave up.i am going to die in the street and no one will ever know that SSI is responsible for my death. I can’t believe that they are able to do this to a human being. If they really read my records and saw them then they would have no excuse to deny me . Because it’s that horrible and the judge told them that the 1st time and demanded that I be paid immediately. So I know that someone is not doing their job because I was court ordered SSI in 1997. After surviving horrible abuse and rape. For 14 years. He said that the fact was in my record and why SSA would have been so incompetent to make me rehash my trauma. And that’s on record and still I sleep in hallways and open abandoned buildings in bins park.

      • S.D.

        Hi, Jennifer, and thanks for using our blog. We are sorry to hear about your experience. For your security, we do not have access to your record in this forum. You should discuss your case with a Social Security representative who can tell you whether you are still within your appeal period or whether you need to file a new application. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number using the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call volume and wait times are greater than normal, so be patient. We hope this is helpful.

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