Disability, SSI

Qualifying for Supplemental Security Income with Social Security

September 17, 2020 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

We pay monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to people with disabilities who have low income and few resources, and people who are age 65 or older without disabilities who meet the financial limits.

Income is money you receive, such as wages, Social Security benefits, and pensions. Income also includes things like food and shelter. The amount of income you can receive each month and still get SSI depends partly on where you live.

Resources are things you own, including real estate, bank accounts, cash, stocks, and bonds, which we count in deciding if you qualify for SSI. You may be able to get SSI if your resources are worth $2,000 or less. A couple may be able to get SSI if they have resources worth $3,000 or less. If you own property that you are trying to sell, you may be able to get SSI while trying to sell it.

We will not count economic impact payments, also known as coronavirus stimulus payments or CARES Act payments, as income for SSI. These payments will also not count as resources for 12 months. You can learn more about qualifying for SSI by reading our publication, Supplemental Security Income.

If you’re an adult with a disability intending to file for both SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance, you can apply online for both benefits at the same time if you:

  • Are between the ages of 18 and 65.
  • Have never been married.
  • Are a U.S. citizen residing in one of the 50 states, District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands.
  • Haven’t applied for or received SSI benefits in the past.

We’re here for you. You can find more information on our website.

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Comments

  1. Edgar E.

    I’ll reach 65 years old soon. Can I apply for Medicare? Thank you.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Edgar, thank you for using our blog. Generally, individuals receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. If you are at least 64 years and 9 months old and aren’t receiving Social Security benefits, you can apply for Medicare A and B online.

      If you already have Medicare Part A and need to sign up for Medicare Part B, there are some forms that you will need to complete and submit. See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for options on how to submit those forms.

  2. Melvin C.

    I am Melvin C Bennett at 8871 Centennial Cir, Apt E404, Anchorage, AK 99504, and SSN #*** – ** – ***, and I got a letter telling me that my SSI is up for a basic review, but, tho I’ve called in twice to the 1-855-602-5001, ext#30707,to advise Shayne I am now at 907-538-4848,, right after I got that letter, yet they missed the 10AM appointed time I was to be called on my former 907-782-7565, and no one answers the phone!

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Melvin, thanks for using our blog. Please 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. We hope this information helps.

  3. Barbara L.

    My name is Barbara L..Hotaling. I was on SSI, until I became 66yrs old. A man named Mr. Franks from Texas, sent me a notice that I was now retired. I was 66 . I told him that I was also disabled,already for many years. He requested that I send him certain information, by mail, to his Texas office. He assured me that all of my original papers and Info, would be returned ,after he made his decision.
    I never received any of my original documents back. Then the following month, my benefits were drastically cut back to a retired amount. He stopped my SSI, and my monthly amount dropped went from $875.00 to $760.00 approximately, I’m sorry, I can not remember the exact amount. I have the paperwork, but I need help to retrieve it, but I do have the papers.
    I have been totally disabled since I was 43 yrs. old. I could no longer work since 1993. I waited 4 yrs. before I was finally granted my Soc.Sec. disability.. my SSI. was never returned to me. My living conditions since then have been drastically cut back to having to live in very poor conditions, because of the rents going so high. I had to live with friends and it was very difficult for me and them. I have tried to find suitable accommodations but it has been impossible. I now have a friend who lives with me, who also takes care of me. I need full-time care. I am now 69yrs. old, and still living in terrible conditions.
    I’ve been told by many that being as disabled as I am, there is plenty of help for someone like me.
    Well, I have tried everything that is available locally including, Office of the aging, Catholic charities, Social service’s, Hud, section 8, subsidized housing, and several more, many more. The rents in my area are extremely high now. from $800.00 and up to ,$1500.00 or more. I have tried all the trailer parks in the area ,also. I don’t know what else to do. The place that I am serving in now, is not finished being constructed. There are many problems. I do not want to spend another winter here. Last winter was very bad. We literally, froze, most of the time. One night, dead of winter, the temperature dropped to 29′ below ZERO, inside our apartment. I don’t know how we both survived. If my SSI, was taken away but should not have been, then something needs to be done. Either way, we need a decent and warm place to live. Mainly, I need a larger amount of money to make sure we can pay for a better place.
    I do believe that my SSI, should have been left on my SOCIAL SECURITY, account. It is still way below poverty level. Something has to be done. Please check over my case. I’m not asking for more then I’m suppose to get, but I do believe, with my whole heart and soul, that what I have now, couldn’t be correct.
    Thank you for listening, and please, go over everything and let me know if there are any changes to be made that will increase my SSA,SSI
    amount. Please. My phone # is:
    (518) 915- ,5522 or my aide’s #, (518)
    231-0287.( Kathleen Brown,).

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Barbara, thanks for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact 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. We hope this information helps.

  4. John

    We will not count economic impact payments, also known as coronavirus stimulus payments or CARES Act payments, as income for SSI.

    http://thebizcoachblog.com/

  5. sal m.

    hi my mother wants to applyforr supplemental ss she wants to kmow how she can make an appointment i am her son and she has health isues needs my help wo do i speak to or where do i make an appointment//?
    please reply to salvador meza castro a
    email Salvadormezacastro71@gmail.com
    thank you so much
    my mom is Rosa maria meza

  6. Jeffery T.

    My hearing is November 6th I need to get a copy of my file I have called Susie several times at ext . 25857 please mail me a copy of my file Jeffery Teseniar 537 Northcutt Ct. Pelion SC 29123

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Jeffery, thanks for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. Please 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. We hope this information helps.

  7. James R.

    Hi my name is James Reynolds and I’m turning 62 in October and I would like help on getting an application. Could you help me. Thank You.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi James, thanks for using our blog. Our system is set up to take applications four months in advance, and when you’re ready to apply for retirement benefits, you can apply online. If you need further assistance or cannot apply online, call us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can contact 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. We hope this information helps.

  8. Saundra l.

    My name is Sandra Hubbard I am trying to apply for benefits for my son due to his disability and also I would like to find out why I have not gotten all of my back pay

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Saundra, thanks for using our blog. SSI makes monthly payments to people with low income and limited resources who are 65 or older, or blind, or disabled. Your child, if younger than age 18, can qualify if they have a medical condition or combination of conditions that meets Social Security’s definition of disability for children, and if the child’s income and resources fall within the eligibility limits. Check out the publication Benefits for Children with Disabilities for more details.

      To inquire on your back pay and to apply for your child, you can call us call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact 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. We hope this information helps.

  9. Cindy H.

    Help

  10. Cindy.. H.

    Hello there I was saying my Stimulus $$ and on September 8,2020 someone fraudulently took
    $ 924.00 out of my debit card account.
    As of today my Netspend account has not issued me a credit for unauthorized transactions.
    As a matter of fact my claim was denied.
    A total of (4) ATM’S withdrawals were done in Tustin via Wells Fargo and In Tustin as well from Bank of America.. I never leave WHITTIER

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