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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Stephanie
I’m not homeless yet but if all keeps rising i probably have to be a roommate with someone to keep alive it’s not making any sense for us who get disability an etc: to already have struggling to make it then they raised prices on almost everything in sight bread,cheese,milk,Peanut butter, veggies. Fruit the essence of food for low income people hotdogs an bologna poor mans steak they say i only each month get $814.00 a month phone bill $278.69 lights $121.86 water $34.00 something then $300 in rent an then since i can’t drive i pay $50.00 a month to go places to get groceries, go doctors, pay bills, an only get $87.00 foodstamps
Michael
Where are you now
Ann M.
Catholic Charities provides private housing and pay your rent and utilities for a year IF you have children
Perusia m.
I need that help for me and my kids
Jeanette
What is sad that children and families are getting all the support not that they don’t need it but the people on S.S. and disability that have to go month to month ,groceries,gas medication are so high now they have to choose to have a place to stay or get food , medication and be able to go to doctors appointments that is sad that they can’t get extra money each month .
Annette a.
I need low income housing only get 794.00;a monthly no low income housing in Florida been looking for a year now in a group home. Need low income housing not group home home material have a d 2 degenerate docs in my back
Michael
Yes more low income housing is needed everywhere think florida has none try living in massachusetts the cost of everything has tripled in the last 5 years
Vonda
Hi Annette, thanks for using our blog. 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!
Torrie S.
I’m a 60yr old female on Disability with no dependents at home. And I worked really really hard all my life and I made good money so I thought. I wish Disability would look at the minimum wage was like $2.65 an hour when so started working. My point is for that same job now days I’d be making $21.00 an hour. So because of this difference in earnings I can no way afford to basically live. Im now homeless and it’s a huge disappointment that my goal of buying a forever home so that my 7grand children and my one great grandson will never get to experience Nana’s home. It breaks my heart that we can not have what I had growing up like going grandma’s house making cookies having a slumber party etc. I would that the government can look at the wages and compare them example for me I should get a monthly check that. Would be based on what I would be making and that same job now not what I made then. I will never really have a fulfilling life Because of my income I don’t my grand babies as much because I’m homeless. I’m just existing like stagnant water.
Denise W.
I’ve been on Social Security Now for six going on seven years and I can’t even get into an apartment at all I don’t make enough money I can’t even get on Section 8 housing I tried tried and tried the wait list is so long I’ve been living in my car you know how embarrassing that is. I live in Portland Oregon but currently I’m in Ethel Washington
Vonda
Hi Denise, thanks for using our blog. Please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for the many programs and services available in your state. We hope this helps!
Robyn Y.
Hi Mike my name is Robyn Yearwood I currently live in West Las Vegas near Red Rock do you know the area it’s beautiful l.I’m originally from Massachusetts I moved to Las Vegas in 2016 it’s not been easy Las Vegas is a tuff city when your alone and disabled wheelchairbound.Housing Is fair but sometimes scary to know You could be homeless.Mike I do have SSDI and Long Disability(LTD)from my former employer in Massachusetts yet I I received A 7 day notice to vacate,How?Why?I’ll be receiving funds soon just hold on,dont tell me your sorry,I worked hard to make this my home,my plan is to die here if I can afford it and if they’ll let me.
Michael
I have been homeless for 8 years on n off its depressing i now have a home finnally lots of hard work i must say plus i am a army veteran that helped alot getting benefits along the way
Herbert C.
A friend let’s me stay at here home because of Covid 19. Before that I was homeless on SSI and living if vacant houses and cars. When Covid is over. Where do I go. Rent is too high and I have no where to live. WHO CAN HELP ME GET HOUSING so that I won’t be back in the street. I’m mentally and physically disable and an INTROVERT. I NEED MY OWN WALLS AND CAN’T SHARE LIVING WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
Rosemary M.
My name is( Rosemary M.Gutierrez I lost my Hud housing the year of 2,015 and it has not been Easy with this Covid-19 Pendemic currently I have been On the waiting list at ( Settegast heights Village Apts I stay with Oldest daughter it’s not enough room I’m I able to get help move into ( Settegast heights Village Apts. At 7575 Wayside Dr. Thank you Rosemary M.gutierrez
Aaron B.
Me too
Vonda
Hi Herbert, Thanks for using our blog. 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!
mike
all legal matters
https://www.deeplinkapp.com/HTMLEditor/View/10375
Irene w.
I remember before I got my income I was homeless 3times I still don’t get enough money to eat and pay my bills I have to choose to go to soup kitchens at the end of the month even if I do buy food there’s no way in the world I can pay my rent and the rest of my bills if it wasn’t just me being on Section 8 that’s the way I’m surviving I have to take advantage of the programs the government give me the even that’s a lot of stress you have the documentation you have to come up with I applied for energy assistance but it was in December my bill is over eight hundred and some dollars I can’t afford to put my gas and electric I would like you to pay as little as much as I can each month
CORA W.
Amen
Flodine S.
I am on as and said and I am homeless. Please help me
Vonda
Hi Flodine, thanks for using our blog. 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!
Sara
I know the feeling. I finally started receiving my social security in 2016. My family and I experienced homelessness 3 times prior to receiving my benefits. We know have a roof over our head’s, food and everything, but making ends meet month to month is difficult, especially when you have children and are raising them with absolutely no help whatsoever besides social security and food stamps. I don’t get child support, because I don’t feel it’s right for states to be able to force men to be a part of their children’s lives. It tends to just make the men more bitter towards those children. I do the best I can by my children on my own. My children are able to make their minds up about their father’s absences on their own. They love me even more for have always been there for them and for having been their support system. Social Security certainly doesn’t provide the support families need to thrive in difficult situations. It only allows for us to pay our bills if we can find a place cheap enough (which is rare because most landlord’s want 3× income than what we get in a month). It’s the rising costs in rent and the low low social security benefits that are causing people with disabilities to be or become homeless. Rents increase so much and social security doesn’t increase to keep up with the rising rent costs. It makes life so hard. My kids and I are stuck living check to check ony I come alone and I literally only receive $1366 per month…. that’s supposed to support a family of 4…1 adult and 3 growing boys. It’s not enough…it’s just not enough. I have pretty severe mental disabilities that I receive mental health for. I have other disabilities that require small copays for prescriptions, but each prescription copay takes away a little bit of money that I could have used to buy shampoo/conditioner, soap, dish soap, ect…. Social Security seriously needs to make changes in a huge way and help struggling disabled Americans!!!
CHARLES S.
Who gave help can you help me
Someone w.
I could be wrong but I think you (your children) are eligible for money through social security on top of what you get. It has something to do with being a minor with a disabled parent. You should look into it.
Vickie
Yes I’m living on $794.00 a month and I’m paying rent, utilities and not having enough to pay for household supplies,
Personal supplies,and food. I can’t cover those expensive.
It’s just not enough income. I’ve got to have another knee replacement. I’m not able to go get a ptjob either. To cover my other expensive. Is there ever gonna be a change in the money at all.
Vonda
Hi Vickie, thanks for using our blog. 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!
CHARLES S.
I’m homeless and I have no way to turn I’ve done housing applecations just haven’t heard from them yet it been a year
Vonda
Hi Charles, thanks for using our blog. 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!