Homelessness and Social Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: May 18, 2021
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are lifelines for people experiencing homelessness. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2020 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report notes roughly 580,000 people are currently without a home and the National Alliance to End Homelessness found about 25-30 percent have severe physical and mental disabilities.
People who experience homelessness tend to age faster than people who have access to housing because of the stress of living on the street, poor nutrition, social isolation, and the effects of extreme weather and unsanitary conditions. They also often deal with substance use disorders along with severe health issues—including diabetes, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS.
The mental health disorders often also include cognitive problems that make understanding SSA’s terminology and process difficult to navigate. The standard process for applying for SSI and SSDI doesn’t work well for this population. Internet access proves virtually impossible. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made the struggle to apply for benefits worse.
Homelessness places limitations on a person’s communication with Social Security. Phone communication (including texts) presents difficulties—as does traditional mail. The limited options for contact and communication often lead to benefit application denial for technical reasons—such as not responding to mail and not keeping appointments. When this happens, individuals continue to re-apply as their health deteriorates and anxiety increases.
Third-party providers and organizations can help people experiencing homelessness navigate the SSI/SSDI process for faster benefit payment decisions. They can assist with taking their benefits applications and provide knowledgeable information and support to this underserved community. Third-party groups include:
- Legal Services providers.
- SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) trained staff.
- Health Care for the Homeless programs.
- Community trained case managers and social workers.
- Protection and Advocacy organizations in each state.
People experiencing homelessness can often start with contacting the Department of Social Services in their state to learn about other service providers who can help. Community behavioral health program providers may also assist homeless individuals to apply for benefits and submit medical information needed for decision-making.
Homelessness doesn’t have to be an ongoing condition for so many of our neighbors. Let’s work together to help those in need and ensure that those who are eligible are approved as early as possible in the process.
SSA’s posting of this blog does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any non-SSA organization or author.
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Tags: People Facing Barriers, SSI, supplemental security income
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Marie n.
I have read all of these an let me point one thing out my husband has been fighting for his disable for about 5years now and turn down every time he has alot of health problems an found out last year that he was a sugar diabetic a still nothing done we to court twice still didn’t get it but now u wanna give homeless SSI want about the people that been fighting for it
Robin M.
I have read all of these an let me point one thing out my husband has been fighting for his disable for about 5years now and turn down every time he has alot of health problems an found out last year that he was a sugar diabetic a still nothing done we to court twice still didn’t get it but now u wanna give homeless SSI want about the people that been fighting for it
Mark T.
I have finally got my SSI and disability! However; I get $800.00 a month. That is to pay my rent, utilities, and medication that my Medicare will not cover. Plus trying to get transportation is impossible for me to try and fit in! I got crushed disk in my neck, ruptured disk in my back and my right shoulder was completely rebuilt and of course there were complications in the operation so now I can not lift my arm above my head and I am truly lucky if I can carrie a gallon of milk in my right arm now, I would Love to be able to work but I am not able to stand for a hour straight. How am I supposed to achieve the goal of owning my own home! I can’t afford a vehicle to get to the doctor’s let alone own my own home. And I was told I make to much to get full food stamps! But I thank God for the blessing I do have, because I was going to be sent back to prison for not having a place to live. So I do wish there were more things to help people who truly do need the help! Thanks for listening and may God bless and keep you all and your families safe during this pandemic!
Diana G.
Social Security makes a lot of excuses not to help ppl. I’ve been on disability since 2008 and getting 800 a month now I’m trying to get my retirement, and they say all benefits in my Social Security. Well that’s not true. Homeless picked a bad choice but we all do bad mistakes. God knows what he does. And I don’t question God. I’m so grateful for what I get because my health issues is very bad. Come on society help out the people, sometimes they just need a helping hand to look forward to the future. Thank you
Kim T.
What’s got me so upset is I have been fighting for my SSDI for years now and I finally got my SSI and I am still getting turned down by the hearing judge I’ve had stints put in my heart and an aneurism behind my right eye and then clogged veins in the left side of my neck I am still having problems with my breathing and my hips and legs hurt so badly at time I cant stand to walk and I have had the same judge every time I go to a hearing only to tell me are you still smoking not to mention that I needed to loose weight whenever I had lost so much weight that I was wearing a size 5 paint and I had looked at her when clearly to even say something like that to me whenever she had to be very close to 260pounds herself I hadn’t ever in my life time met such rude and disrespectful women in my life until I met her not to mention that she asked me a question about something and just because I said that I couldn’t remember she asked me if I was in a mental slow class in school and I said no then she asked me why I was having a hard time remembering things well first of all whenever you have heart problems and not to mention aneurism surgery then she should have known that happen after you have heart surgery and heart disease and still being refused your SSDI ive been waiting for years fighting for what I have worked for only to almost loosen everything that I owen so yes I agree with you and everyone else on this problem we shouldn’t have to loose everything that we have only to have to wait years for something that we have worked for I have so I also have PTSD do to seeing my son lying dead on the ground and went into shock but isn’t so easy for someone that has some authority that knows nothing about someone’s life to be able to decide who gets a check every month or not and make them struggle and lose everything that they have just because they can do what they want to with anybody they want to it sickens me to know end we need help with this we shouldn’t have to wait years and struggle until they decide who gets it or not and thank you for wanting to help everyone of us who needs this help because I really do hate to think that I might pass before I get what’s mine only because a judge knows more about me than I know about myself whenever I am the one who is in the pain
Celia H.
Just like so many I have horror stories about being disabled and ending up homeless. I’m on SSDI until later this year when it changes due to my age. The things I’ve been through are unbelievable. Getting an apt is an unstable situation as many apts are untenable, dangerous and the rents keep going up. I live in a car, harassed by police, city employees, the oligarchy and thugs. The actions of the city of Boise during the pandemic lead me to coin the phrase “COVID Shock Doctrine.” There is less than 1% affordable housing openings, but all these non-profits claim to put people in housing. Even if one gets housing I found the organized harassment and rent raising untenable. This is Boise Idaho, the most evil place I’ve ever been. I have Medicare but can’t get health care due to incompetence, misdiagnosis and intentional sadistic malpractice. I’m a retired RN. I have stories about HUD, their so called Fairhousing non-profit, Idaho housing finance and the concentration camps for American citizens the government calls homeless shelters. They are slow murder camps. I hate Idaho due to the idiots and sociopaths, but not leaving until I get justice. The federal government was contacted for years, no response.
Nalini D.
I am also homeless when my Landlord sold his house during the Pandemic and finding difficulty in getting place to rent seeing I am on SSI benefits. Need help how to get a Govt rent apartment.
SLR
Get in contact with HUD ASAP.
Asha A.
HUD is garbage. 30% too high. Still not “affordable”. Because government gives beans. And tells you you can’t better yourself thru working a little extra or else they take away the little bit they give you in the first place. The system rules are made to keep people poor and suffering. The government pretending they are helping, but instead they are preventing anyone from succeeding . They want us struggling because they truly don’t care about humans. These programs were designed to keep people poor and suffering
Lavonne E.
I have lived here in califorina city for about three years or more and I’ve never been late on my rent and now the owners are selling the house me and my son 10yrs old my two grandkids 13 yrs. And8yrs old are now going to be homeless it’s very hard to find a place so many people home owners are going by credit scores we’ll never find another place to call home
My husband passed away one year ago I was really looking forward of being a first time buyer but you have to go through so many changes its not funny .i don’t know what to do next I Love them so much that’s what keeps me fighting and not give up.lwhat
Vonda
Hi Lavonne, thanks for using our blog. To inquire about potential Social Security or SSI benefits, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal.
Please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for the many programs and services available to you in your state. For information on public housing assistance visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website. We hope this helps!
robbie
Im on the streets after landlord sold house.
There really is no help.
Disabled and senior
Vonda
Hi Robbie, thanks for using our blog. To inquire about potential Social Security or SSI benefits, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal.
Please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for the many programs and services available in your state. For information on public housing assistance visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website. We hope this helps!
Sharon M.
Im on a fixed income. Ive l8ved in same place 12 yrs. However I had 3 surgeries in 1 yr back to back. I got behind and unable to pay rent. Prior to this i have never been late. Jan 2020 i had to leave my home. With nowhere to go. Then the covid came along. I had no clue as to the cost of apts. So i have applied at senior living that go by income. Well im still in my car. I need help ive called over and over every number i have been given.
I. Feel like im never going to have a place to call home.
What can I do? Who can I get help from.? This is hardd way to live. And i have not stop calling and checking. Just seems that there is someone or some organizations that can get me into an apt.
Just saying……
Karen J.
Why are disabled people misused as unpaid labor by their family members?
Where is the financial compensation they are owed? This is an example of hourly wage and labor exploitation, and basic civil rights violations against a vulnerable population and persons at risk. Doesn’t this unpaid servitude also violate sections of the ADA? I have contacted my state senator’s office to report this hidden abuse occurring all over this nation! There should be a massive class action lawsuit on a federal level that disabled people can join to receive either back pay owed or portions of a hugh class action settlement. With that back pay or a portion of that settlement, many disabled people would no longer be forced to live as homeless!
Vonda
Hi Sharon, thanks for using our blog. To inquire about potential Social Security or SSI benefits, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can call your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal.
Please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for the many programs and services available in your state. For information on public housing assistance visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website. We hope this helps!
M.Smith
United States of America is suppose to be a wealthy country filled with treasures. How can funds allotted to someone be taken away unless there is something in place much better. Need to get to the root of these problems why needs are not met. People are poor when they do not produce skills from within them. Everyone needs to know that they have a production center within them. Give what they need and show them how they can manage from that point onward. Injustice causes chaos, division, greed, imbalance. Veterans fight for the country and most of them experience injustice, homelessness should never be, there should never be evictions, shortage of food and necessities should not be, school system should be tops; turn waste places into beautiful neighborhoods; social security, ssi and programs to help supplement until those persons are able to manage above and beyond. Everyone should teach, help and support one another in their community. Must build for better not tear down for worst.
K. J.
Why are disabled people misused as unpaid labor by their family members?
Where is the financial compensation they are owed? This is an example of hourly wage and labor exploitation, and basic civil rights violations against a vulnerable population and persons at risk. Doesn’t this unpaid servitude also violate sections of the ADA? I have contacted my state senator’s office to report this hidden abuse occurring all over this nation! There should be a massive class action lawsuit on a federal level that disabled people can join to receive either back pay owed or portions of a huge class action settlement. With that back pay or a portion of that settlement, many disabled people would no longer be forced to live as homeless!