Guest Bloggers, People Facing Barriers, SSI

Homelessness and Social Security

May 6, 2021 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last 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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About the Author

Yvonne M. Perret, MA, MSW, LCSW-C, Executive Director of the Advocacy and Training Center and primary founder of SOAR

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Comments

  1. Donald B.

    Seniors need an option for VA type home rental or apt rental vouchers based upon medical ability to work? SsDI needs voucher program like homeless marines for rental of apts or homes. VA has home loan program to purchase homes from 150,000 condo to 500,000 home. Medical cases for mental health need separate fund from HUD section 8 housing by states??? Freddie Mac and Fannie mae fund of 12 billion used by Trump to payoff disabled veteran student loans. Apply for refunding from China tarriffs??

  2. Allen H.

    SSI people like me have no money to live i get 791 a month rent electric a phone that works and tv.are more then I get.at this rate I will be homeless.. they say being I have no mental problems.i am not able to get help with rent.food stamps gives me just over seven dollars a day to eat on.can you live with that as I have to

  3. Jacqueline e.

    I am
    Looking for the help in purchasing a house I currently am renting. The owner doesn’t want to reimburse for any repairs and I have the documents and all the proof were we agreed now he wants me end my kids out

  4. danny t.

    I am close to going homeless. 789 doesn’t pay bills. 300 for gas 100 for water. 100 for property tax 250 for food and household. Get 160 in food stamps. Ins.for car and house 200. Gas and maint just not enough. Have to pay credit cards for med I ran up for stuff insurances didn’t pay so I didn’t lose my legs.

  5. Pamela H.

    I’m homeless I have applied for disability but was denied in north Carolina.. now I’m here in Texas I don’t know how to get help…

    • CRYSTAL S.

      PAMELA – CONTACT THE CIL CLOSEST TO YOU TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP. HERE ARE ALL HE CILS IN TEXAS, FOLLOW THIS LINK: https://www.ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory-results/TX

    • V.V.

      Pamela, we are sorry to hear about your disability. If you were recently denied, you may file an appeal within 60 days of receiving the decision and provide additional evidence.

      If you need help requesting an appeal, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or contact your local Social Security office. 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.

      Some individuals may be eligible to receive additional assistance from the state where they live; while they wait for a final determination on their disability claim. 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. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for more information. We hope this information is helpful!

    • Vickie!!!

      Go to the social security office and apply in person for benefits. The worker you will be assigned, will walk you through everything, and tell you the documents you will need to fill out.

      Vickie Guthrie

  6. Sidney J.

    I am homeless , I have disability clame going on now , I unemployment was cut off 7 weeks ago because when I put in for exstention responded that I was unemployable because of health and ijury I had few 6 months ago , don’t know what to do , got 0 money , in dire straits , panicking

    • V.V.

      Hi Sidney, thanks for using our blog. If you have a Social Security disability claim pending, please call your local Social Security office to report your income change. 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. We hope this information helps.

  7. Myra

    In hindsight of easing homelessness they need to give recipients more money as they can live with an quality of life and affordable living as well as affordable housing. Nobody can rent any type of housing with $800 a month along with utilities. It’s ridiculous.

  8. Ray P.

    This is a joke, right? Since when did being homeless matter to the SSA? A homeless person doesn’t have an address, how are they going to get a check, even if the SSA granted it (which the will not)?

    • Sef

      I am on disability being homeless since 2018 back then they have my address and bank account and that’s how I get my disability by direct deposit even tho ssa doesn’t have my address I just put my friends address.

  9. Lorenzo D.

    I need help at immediately I was homeless 3 years ago and they want to make me homeless again I bought a house on land contract and they want to foreclose on my house because I refuse to sign off for them to take a second mortgage on my house now for no other reason please help me

  10. Lorenzo D.

    I bought a house almost 3 years ago on a land contract now they want to evict me they want to foreclose on the house after I’ve paid 50% into my housing in the local government as much money into my house my name is on a legal deed to purchase listed in the courthouse now they want to foreclose on my house because I refuse to sign off for them to borrow money against my house I was homeless when I bought this house and I don’t want to lose my house I have the local government law involved in it but is there any additional help that I may reach out to I’m going to court the 24th of this month of May to find out if they’re going to be able to evict me because I won’t sign for them to borrow money against my house please help this is an emergency God bless

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