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. Delphina M.

    I’m living in a shelter I’m 67 years old and I was recieving food stamps but the amount is a joke a measly 16.00 of food stamps is all I was recieving until the covid I was getting more but I got cut off and it wasn’t my doing but needless to say they stopped my food stamps it’s sad and embarrassing that others will receive a very much more than they should and I get 16.00 and they think that supposed to feed me the whole month I’m also on disability it discorages me to no end

  2. Anthony L.

    I been on SSI since 2015 I put application in with Ormond Beach FL hud but I couldn’t find a place so my address provented me I wasn’t on time so I put a application for hud again with Daytona Beach hud and I am still on the waiting list after 6 years I stay in a hotel for 700 a month because I can’t find a place without a the deposit it is too hard I feel like all I ever did was waste my life because it took almost 5 years getting my SSI now I’m 40 I’m sad because I lived without anything my whole life

  3. Stephanie F.

    I was on SSI for 20 years got in trouble and went to jail for 2 years get out now they won’t give it back

    • Essie F.

      THATS BS and Not Right. I would fight it. Im Sorry

      • Essie F.

        Ive been homeless before and Nobody Cared

    • Vonda

      Hi Stephanie, 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!

  4. Elena

    This is so sad. I’m facing the same problems. To top it off I pay court order child support. I don’t get the stimulus checks due to it going to arrears. I don’t have any help at all. No resources. I don’t have a car to get around to take care of my business. Life isn’t going great for me at all right now.

  5. Sabrina S.

    I get 750 a month and it doesn’t help any when everything wants 10× the rent when no one on ssi or ssdi don’t get that much and subdivision housing is full of crime and drugs and not everyone wants to live in that kind of environment

  6. Audrey A.

    I wholeheartedly agree with you about that!!!!! I receive$ 800 a month. I live in a car😒😒😒 can’t live on that amount .

  7. roxanne y.

    Only in America take care of others ,but not their own ,that can help them won’t ,you can’t even get food stamps without an address,so here ,now your homeless and hungry ,I’m not proud to be an American any more ,we are all racist and offend anyone who is not an American ,so now ,they get more help than we do.the only thing that don’t offend them is the benefits and the mired carpet greeting they get for being here

    • Janette

      I’m not proud to be an American either…I’m 70 homeless and all my income goes to motel

    • Donna J.

      You hit it right on the nail couldn’t have said it better myself you are so right illegals are coming over here and living better than we are and we are Americans but can’t get any help i have tried for over a year to get help i get $800 a month and to see all the rent is 1,000 to 5,000 a month how are we suppose to live on that money i have wrote the vice president the governor and social security unless you are Hispanic Don’t expect any help from our country cause it won’t happen no matter how homeless you are i havea lot more to day but i know my mouth I’ll stop here

  8. Leisa R.

    I have supplemental security income Disability, why can’t I get Medicare?

    • Vonda

      Hi Leisa, thank you for your question. You are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and B if you’ve been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for 24 months. An information packet will arrive in the mail a few months before you become eligible. Check out the Medicare brochure for more information.

      Some individuals may be eligible to receive additional assistance from the state where 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. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services web page for more information. We hope this information is helpful!

  9. Eddie F.

    I receive SSDI and i am still homeless, rent for a studio apartment is much higher than my monthly payment. Social security amounts need to go up. Like they need to atleast double, brbging it up like $20 bucks for inflation is a joke because inflation has actually increased far far more than that. SSDI benefits not even enough for a studio apartment let alone any other expenses. I a drug free and I live in the woods in a tent. Thanks Social Security. My payment should be atleast $1600 instead of $850. Everyone on SSDI should get a minimum of $1600 in order to survive.

    • Audrey A.

      I wholeheartedly agree with you about that!!!!! I receive$ 800 a month. I live in a car😒😒😒 can’t live on that amount .

      • Jose O.

        My Pay si 843.00 no Good The money I receive is very low according to my correspondence from social security, it would be a monthly payment of 1,600.00 I live in Puerto Rico and with the money they pay me I stay bare or pay rent, water, electricity, Maintenance of the apartment, gasoline and I have only 40.00 dollars left for the Full month

    • Audrey A.

      Right on brother!!👍👍👍👍

    • José

      Yeah it’s true

  10. Jean N.

    I’m 62 and cannot find work in the food industry I worked my whole life I get 197.00 a month I’ve been homeless for 3yrs and will most likely die homeless There is no where to live on that income I’ve tried every where I keep getting Apt application fees and I can’t afford 30 or 40 Everytime to just get turned down it’s insane I’m in rural Mn And the winters are the worst You would not think you would ever be homeless But it is everywhere Who cares about people like me? NO ONE true story

    • Janette

      I care about you…and I am in the same place as well… homeless 3years now and I’m 70 but no one cares about us

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