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

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Comments

  1. Joan T.

    I am wondering about help with my rent since all things i use have gone up especially rent. Is the age limit 65?? i am 83& was curios about help for rent. Thank you.

  2. Diana C.

    THE SYSTEM FEDERAL AND LOWER JUDGES WILL HAVE TO ANSWER TO A HIGHER POWER ABOUT THEIR ACTS

  3. Shontella D.

    THIS IS NOT A TRUE PUBLIC STATEMENT
    I’VE BEEN FIGHTING TO RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND CONTINUE TO BE DENIED
    IM A SINGLE MOM WITH TERMINAL HEART CONDITION, AUTOIMMUNE, DIABETES, NERVE DAMAGE, SOME DEPRESSION FROM CHILDHOOD
    I HAVE BEEN MOVING HETE & THERE BECAUSE OF NO INCOME SWITCHING DOCTORS NOW MY DAUGHTER IS DEPRESSED
    BECAUSE A STATE DOCTOR LIED ON THE REPORT
    HE SEEN ALL BUTV2 MINUTES AND HAD NO MEDICAL REPORT ABOUT ME I HAD TO PROVIDE THE MEDICAL REPORT AND MEDICATIONS FOR HIM TO WRITE A REPORT AS IFBI COULD FO ALL THESE PHYSICAL THINGS, AS IF WITH ME CAMPAIGNING FOR A NEW HEART & TREATMENTS, DEALING WITH MY DIET, DIABETES MY AUTOIMMUNE I HAVE FLAREUPS LIKE MS, I CAN’T EVEN GET OUT OF BED FOR FIVE DAYS SOMETIMES 7 TO 8 DAYS EACH MONTH
    HOW CANNI GET A JOB LIKE THIS
    I FEEL IM BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST
    I MEET OTHERS WHO ARE MORE MOBILE THAN ME GETTING SSDI BUT THEYRE A DIFFERENT NATIONALITY

    I CRY IN PAIN MY DAUGHTER HELPS WE LIVE HOMELESS WAITINGN ON A FAR HUMAN REMOVED OUTDATED FEDERAL SYSTEM TO MAKE A DECISION ON A HUMAN LIFE TAKING MONTHS TO YEARS

    NOT FAIR
    WHY DO I HAVE TO BE ALMOST DEAD TO GET RECEIVE WHAT I NEED
    I WANT TO LIVE
    FOR MY DAUGHTER
    DO MY LIFE MATTER?

  4. Pete

    Will a person have to pay Tax

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Pete, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for taxation details. We hope this helps.

  5. Rene C.

    Hi: when the soscial security’s office are going to be open for public’s services at west palm beach florida? Have a good day!

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Rene, thanks for using our blog. We are still able to provide critical services. If you have a critical situation that we cannot help you with by phone, online, fax, or mail, we may be able to schedule an in-office appointment for you. Check out our Social Security and Coronavirus web page for more information.

  6. Denise

    Its not fair that people that get ssi have to suffer n only receive one check a month and not get any other money with that to help pay for rent bills and household things especially during the covic people that was getting unemployment still got a additional 600 to 400$ check along with their unemployment check and thats not fair to thoes that only get one check a month A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT CHANGE AND WANT TO KNOW WHY I DONT BELIEVE WE AS DISABILITY PEOPLE ARE GETTING TREATED FAIRLY AT ALL ON THAT NOTE!

    • Michele

      That is because we who are on Social Security benefits are receiving the same amount of money now as we did before covid started. Those on unemployment were working & lost their job/income. Unemployment is normally a very small amount so I think they were trying to raise the income levels back to close to what they were making while working. Us on SS, are getting the same amount. We are having to stock up a bit more so that we don’t have to go out as much but that is where the stimulus check came in. I am happy/grateful that I received the extra money/stimulus check. Hopefully we will get another if Pelosi would stop attempting to attach things to it that have NOTHING to do with it. I hope things get better for you & that I was able to clear up the reason why.

  7. Nicolasa L.

    Hello mynname is Nicole Luna im 53 yrs old .I was diagnosed with..C.O.P.D & EMPHEZEMA. 2018..AND IN 2014 THEY PLACED A PACEMAKER .Due cause my heart beat was to low..And i visit with ..CENTER FOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES…Cause i suffer from Depression..and i hear voices my x husband passed away last year on October i hear his voice alot talking to me…i did the application for ss benefits and have not herd from them

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Nicolasa. You can log in to or create a my Social Security account to check the status of your application online.

      If you are unable to check your status online, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or 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.

    • Diana C.

      omg
      We need to create awareness against this grandfather outdated human removed system

  8. Gennelle

    I am battling cancer and am 73 years old but was told not eligible for any assistance, why is that?

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Gennelle. You may want to apply for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $5,000 per year. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be receiving Medicare, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. In addition to the Extra Help, you may be able to get help from your State with other Medicare costs under the Medicare Savings Programs. By completing the Extra Help application, you will start your application process for a Medicare Savings Program. We will send information to your State who will contact you to help you apply for a Medicare Savings Program unless you tell us not to when you complete the application.

      If you need information about Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare Prescription Drug plans or how to enroll in a plan, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit http://www.medicare.gov. You also can request information about how to contact your State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (SHIP). The SHIP offers help with your Medicare questions. We hope this helps.

  9. April C.

    Thank you, these resources are Fantastic. Love the new Publications!

  10. Daniel r.

    Hi bless Thz. For you being there …I with all my heart and soul criticize. The USA republican and democratic parties for having left out. The island of Puerto Rico for not being able to receive SSI. INSURANCE . That said I just Saw 50 state and the northern MARIANA ISLANDS .ARE RECEIVEING A MONTHLY CHECK. FROM SSI , WHRN PUERTO RICO THERE ARE EVEN MORE. WAR HEROES AND MORE AMERICAN WITH LESS SS INCOME AND SUFFERING ECONOMICALY AND I REPEAT THERE ARE MORE AMERICAN BORN CITIZEN HERE , . Why leave us behind ? Is this racist issue? God are we uniqual in human standards? Is this a nation under god with liberty and justice for all..? Bless and keep safe dear.. but plz help us all here in this island that’s small but carring size of the island is 50mile by 300.miles all of our citizens of gone to USA BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE CALAMITIES OF NATURE HITTING OUR LIVES AND HEALTH ..LAST BUT NOT LEASE WE ARE born USA citizen treated without love and differently ….

    • tony

      There is too much disability fraud on the island. The disability standards are jobs in the national economy and not just the local economy. The national economy is the United States. Move back to the United States like the others if it is so terrible over there.

      The U.S. unemployment rate is very high and there are many people faking being blind, deaf, back pain, and mental illness to get free disability money.

    • Michele

      My parents both were born in Puerto Rico, moved to the states. I was born here. From what I understand Puerto Rico was offered to become a state but refused.

Comments are closed.